On July 31 of this year, Potterheads young and old raised their wands to Accio the latest work in the Harry Potter universe: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It was a quick read, made even quicker by the comfort of already being acquainted with many of the characters. Reading this play felt like settling into a simpler time, when the wizarding world of Harry Potter was the magical spell to make the hustle of life disappear. The play has had some mixed reviews, some lauding it as the 8th installation of our favorite boy wizard's life while others have called the book glorified fan fiction. My opinion lies somewhere in between. Cursed Child was not cut of the same fabric as the septuplet before it; it was certainly a crowd pleaser before anything else. But, as I picked up the book expecting more, I think it did its job. I closed the hardcover not particularly enlightened but pleased nonetheless.
Cursed Child didn't have the gems of originality that the original series had, but I didn't expect it to. What it instead provided was a look back at the characters that shaped my childhood and a story that stayed true to Rowling's original message. Cursed Child's use of a time turner as its primary plot device gave the story a convenient way to bring back many favorite moments and characters from the series. This was appreciated in the book and I'm sure it would be even sweeter in the stage play as well. In addition to some literal throwbacks, Cursed Child also featured a plot that cleverly followed protagonists Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy while still tying into Harry's character development. Seeing the eponymous character continue to grow brought back all of the feels that lay dormant after the Deathly Hallows aftermath.
Some have called Cursed Child out for reading like fan fiction. I get that. This isn't a book I'd recommend if you're looking for the same magic that filled each word of the original 7. There were several moments that seemed far fetched, unrealistic, and gimmicky. Don't expect Rowling's touch from a play she hasn't actually written. However, I think that despite the hitches in believability and lack of subtlety (both issues that I believe could be attributed to the nature of theatre and how the play would have needed to feel on stage) the story that Rowling provides and its message of the importance of love makes it a worthy read.
Harry Potter has always been a story about love, and how its many forms can defeat evil. Cursed Child delivered the same lessons: exploring friendship, paternal love, and familial love. Don't go into it expecting the next Harry Potter book-- look at it like Albus Potter wants to be seen: worthy, exciting, different but every bit as magical as the green eyed boy that started it all.
