Disclaimer – I’m one of those absolute died in the wool Harry Potter fans. Actually I’m a died in the wool J K Rowling fan. I’ve read and loved everything she has written even though The Casual Vacancy is about as far removed from Hogwarts as you can get.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a sequel to the series but it is a play. It is written as a play and is currently being performed in West End. I would love to see it but it is being delivered in two parts and who knows how long each part will be played there before it travels the world.
Harry’s son, Albus, is struggling to find his place in the world. He is the second son of a famous wizard and is doubting his abilities and his relationship with his father is under strain. It doesn’t help that he has befriended the son of Harry’s arch enemy – Scorpios Malfoy (don’t you just love the names Rowling comes up with for her characters).
Albus’ attempts to make his mark involve some time travelling and examining the history of the Harry Potter series from alternate universes. If that sounds too far fetched – remember it is written by the master story teller.
Some critics have suggested that Harry becomes distinctly unlikable and that the book has strayed from the “perfection” he had in the earlier series. I completely disagree. There was never a time when Harry was portrayed as perfect. He was always flawed enough to not be obnoxious but generous enough to win us all over. This book is no different.
The dilemma Albus and Harry face is very real. How many people do you know never quite found their “tribe” at school or struggled living in the shadow of a legendary parent? From a parent’s perspective, how many parents do you know who love their children unconditionally but have their relationship with a child tainted by fears for their future?
Although this book has all the heart I love from Rowling, this one is very visual. My only criticism is that I do wish she had written it as a novel first and then adapted into a play. I suspect we will be waiting a very long time for the play to make it to the Southern Hemisphere.
