Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Rehearsal Edition Script Library Binding – 22 Aug. 2016

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is something I have done my waiting for (9 years of it! IN AZKABAN!) and I can say, when the new edition to the series (Sirius?) was announced I was overjoyed but worried. History has shown that when you take something that is perfect (or as close too perfect as can be) and add to it you negate what was there originally (look at the Star Wars prequels). I have heard a lot of people complain that the Cursed Child does this to the Harry Potter series. I decided to write this review to explain why I think this is not the case, before I do, I will give a brief, spoiler free synopsis of the story:Set two decades after the Deathly Hallows, The Cursed Child follows Harry and his son Albus (many other characters such as Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Draco and Professor McGonagle – amongst others – make an appearance). When we begin Albus has just started at Hogwarts and soon becomes friends with Draco Malfoys son Scorpius (who in my opinion was one of the best characters in the play but more on that later). Albus has a difficult relationship with Harry and the pair can’t seem to get along the way he does with his other children – Lily and James – and so Albus feels isolated from his family because of this. Soon into the story it is revealed that, contrary to the belief set in the original books that all time turners were destroyed in the battle of the department of Mysteries in the Order of the Phoenix, that there is a time turner still in existence. After some time Albus and Scorpius manage to steal the time turner and they travel back to 1994 to try and save Cedric Diggory (their logic is that if he loses the first tri-wizard task he will not be able to tie for the cup in the third task) however, this blows up in their faces and the story is set when they have to try and repair the damage they have done by meddling with time.I understand the fact that it angers people that a time turner exists because we were told they were destroyed and even more so I understand why they are annoyed that it can travel back over twenty years when it was made clear they can only travel back around five hours (this is explained when Hermione comments that it is an entirely different kind of time turner than the one she had). However, while I don’t love this, I still think it makes for fun reading.Another complaint is that, because Rowling wrote this in the form of a play and with outside help – she usually writes solo, that it reads at times like a fanfiction. I get this, at some points during dialogue I see myself thinking that a character would never say that, however, we must remember they are over twenty years older in this story. No one is the same when they are around forty as they were when they were a teenager. This is most evident with Ron who now seems to be there purely because the plot dictates that he returns as he is part of the golden trio. I found myself thinking he was acting like a bit of a comedic idiot throughout, however, this is not a bad thing through and through as it is understandable. What I’m trying to articulate is that I can see how he got to this point in his life (I mean he has been running a joke shop with George – his brother – for years so you can see why he likes to crack a joke here and there).I can’t lie and say this is my favourite entry in the series – that honour goes to the Prisoner of Azkaban – but I can say that I’m glad it exists and I’m not really sure why it is receiving so much heavy criticism. As an avid Harry Potter fan who has read and re-read the series more times than I care to remember I find happiness in a new edition in which I will be able to do this with. While I respect that some people simply don’t enjoy the story I think it is childish for them to deny it as canon, Rowling has said this is canon and so it is. My one major quarrel which really infuriates me is a part of the story I thought to be outright crazy was ***SPOILER – SPOILER – SPOILER!!!*** Voldemort having a child. Without revealing who he or she is I have to say that this made me madder than a hatter, it was established that Voldemort couldn’t feel love and was inhuman and while love isn’t needed to conceive a child I just cannot believe that he would bump uglies with ***SPOILER – SPOILER – SPOILER!!!*** Bellatrix Lestrange.Other than this I enjoyed the Cursed Child. I did and as I mentioned earlier I really liked Scorpius. When I heard he would be a major character I felt quite, I don’t know, cautious. Even his name kind of annoyed me (I knew it beforehand because of the epilogue of Deathly Hallows, pottemore and whatnot but it still didn’t sit right with me) however I thought he was, in a word, fantastic.It is established early on that he is Albus’ best (and only) friend and that they are outcasts at Hogwarts but he was still, despite this, a funny and kind character unlike his father at that age. He says many things throughout which gave me a giggle and even the way he spoke when he fumbled over his words and said exactly what he was thinking as he was thinking it (not in an entitled way more of a silly way) made me think he was a great character but he was by no means dumb and he had his own set of family problems to rival Albus’. More on the Malfoys, I have never been a fan of Dramione (don’t worry Draco and Hermione have no romantic interests in the story) fanfics and was never able to understand why people obsessed over Draco – I guess it was the “bad boy” aspect – as I thought he was an ass when he was at Hogwarts and while in the end he never followed Voldemort I think he was a pretty s***ty person and as he raised Scorpius he was able to instil him with better values and it’s apparent as he is a far friendlier person – though this may be down to his mother, Astoria, however, I think this story shows that Draco is not a bad person when it comes down to it. He is by no means an amazing guy though he shows in the Cursed Child that he cares deeply for his son and eventually even comes to see Harry, Ron and Hermione as pretty great people. The scene that made me come around to Draco was when he said that he always envied Harry because he had real friends while he had Crabbe and Goyle who were never really his friends, they were to him, even in school, just like lackeys who only followed him because of who he was.I realise I have rambled in writing this and I hope, if you’ve read this far, that you have enjoyed what I’ve had to say. Yes, the Cursed Child has flaws (bringing up and changing past rules with time, returning characters who may not have been necessary – I never touched on this but read and make up your own mind on the subject – amongst other things that people don’t like) but it also a nice addition to the Harry Potter franchise. I would have, honestly, preferred it in book form because most of the story is set during Albus’ third year and so it kind of jumps to that and I think it might have been good to have a sort of next generation series, something I have never been a fan of until now, however, I can see why this wouldn’t have worked as it seems the first two might be a bit of a bore. I’m giving it four stars because I think there were a few flaws but overall I really did enjoy the story and I will be adding it to my next re-read of the series. I think the characters were great, if a bit off at time, I think the story, while a bit flawed, made for a fun read (and likely many re-reads) and I think that it was overall a nice new addition, and hey, if you don’t like it we always have Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in November. I would recommend it to any Harry Potter fan but I’d do so with caution because it is clear that some people don’t like it, however, if you’re on the fence just go for it. I enjoyed it and I think, if you like the originals you might too, sure it might make you shout at the page a couple of times like I did but in the end it was worth it and I would like to see more of these characters (both old and new). As for the live stage play, well I’m yet to see it, however, I hear it is just wonderful.

My grandchildren love it.

I’ve not read a play script before, although not as easy to read and enjoyable as a regular book It still a worthwhile read.

I was constantly seeing criticism YouTube videos pop up for this book, so I decided to purchase and read it to make my own decision.It's safe to say that I'm thoroughly pleased with my purchase. I was so gripped to the story that I read the entire thing in an evening, and this is the first book (albeit playscript) that I've properly sat down and read in nearly 10 years!To the surprise of many, I have never read the original Harry Potter books (they're sitting in the bookcase waiting), I grew up with the films and haven't found the time to properly go through the original versions yet.I feel like there are many fans like me, who may feel less inclined to enjoy this story if they saw it in the play format, due to the recasts (understandably) - I for one would find it slightly difficult to feel attached to the characters if they didn't have their familiar looks that I grew up watching, for those people I heavily recommend reading this. As you can simply picture the existing actors you know and love in your head whilst reading.Fingers crossed that we eventually see a film adaptation of this story, especially with the modern techniques we have access to in order to bring back actors who have sadly passed since Deathly Hallows. It deserves the big screen treatment and I'm sure it would win countless awards.

**WARNING SPOILERS**The new Harry Potter story is written 19 years after the end of the Deathly Hallows. Harry and Ginny are now married (sorry for spoiling if you didn't already know), as are Ron and Hermione (sorry again!). They all have children who now are starting to attend Hogwarts. James, the elder of the Potter sons, is annoying his younger brother, 11-year-old Albus Severus. This is where we start the beginning of the play.From the very beginning of Albus' time at Hogwarts, he feels different. He feels like he does not have his father's love, his father's attention. That everything Albus does is wrong in the eyes of the great Harry Potter. Starting with the house Albus is placed into by the Sorting Hat (won't spoil that for you!).Albus makes an unusual friend in Scorpius Malfoy. No points for guessing who his father is! They become best friends and it is just what Albus needs, someone he can confide in, someone who will listen to him, someone who will keep him in check and stop him doing anything stupid. Only for so long.Amos Diggory comes to visit Harry on a number of occasions to enquire about the rumoured time turners the Ministery allegedly possess. He wants to go back in time and save his son, Cedric, who tragically died at the hands of Voldemort in the Triwizard Tournament at the end of the Goblet of Fire. Harry is persistent that the Ministery do not own a time turner and this cannot be done. Albus overhears this conversation and decides to take it upon himself, and Scorpius, to abscond from the Hogwarts Express and go and pay Mr. Diggory a visit. This leads to a whole range of jumping through time, changing history, avoiding being caught and trying to make themselves known as their own individual person and not the children of the famous Harry Potter and the former Death Eater Draco Malfoy.There is a vicious rumour spreading about Scorpius' lineage and who his father really is. Draco is desperate to have this story squashed once and for all. There is a very kind, or so she seems, niece of Amos Diggory who is very enthusiastic to help the two young boys in returning to the night Harry first meets Voldemort. Delphi Diggory is the cousin of Cedric and is too enthusiastic for my liking from the very beginning. There was something suspicious about her when she would not answer Scorpius' questions about her family.There are a number of times throughout the play where I felt myself gasp and laugh and realise just how much I have missed the build up and wait for a new Harry Potter book. It only took me 2 days to read and I wish could read it all over again and it be for the first time. I really did enjoy it and I am sad to know that I will not be able to go and see the play for a long time. Money and distance permitting.I grew up with Harry Potter. I did not read the first book until I was in Year 7 and then when the 5th book arrived I was in Year 9 and finished my time at secondary school with the final book. I have always said Prisoner of Azkaban was my favourite in the series, closely followed by the Order of the Pheonix. I am a massive Sirius fan, my mum not so much! This play does not let the story down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will just add it to the collection of books, posters, clothes, stationary etc. that I already have.I did, however, find the story a little too futuristic for my liking. I am well aware that the book is set in 2020 so I can't be thinking things will be the same as they were in the original series. But, the original series had a very distinct old feel to it. Diagon Alley was always an eye opener as although they are wizards they still use old utensils and equipment I mean look at the hospital scenes after the Battle of Hogwarts! They are still using stretchers which nurses used during the war. It all just felt too modern for my liking. Yes I am 25, yes I am aware that makes me sound 95, but it's how I felt. However, it would not stop me from reading it again and again and again. The play is split into two parts so there are two different plays you can go and see I would absolutely say you have to go and see both. It just would not make sense without. You would be left on a cliffhanger if you only saw part one and you would have no clue what was going on if you only saw part two. A good way to make more money from the franchise.I would like to ask one question! Where is Hagrid? The play revisits the first night Harry met Hagrid once the Dursley's had taken him to the island, but it does not tell you where he now is. The play talks about what happened to Petunia, what happened to Neville, what happened to Dudley but no mention of Hagrid. Hagrid was one of my favourite characters, he doesn't beat Sirius though. But there is absolutely no mention of him. How can one of the most beloved Harry Potter characters just not be mentioned? I think you slipped up there Ms. Rowling.I would definitely recommend the play and I can only hope that I will get the chance to go and see it one day.Rating: 8/10 (due to the futuristic part)10-word-review: Loved it! Would absolutely read again. Well done J.K Rowling.Check out more at [...]

Bought for the kid he enjoyed it.