By ELIZABETH VALENTINContributing Writer
The newest installment in the “Harry Potter” series comes not from the creator of the original novels, but from playwright Jack Thorne in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” The play is set 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts, where Harry defeated Lord Voldemort, the most evil wizard in history. This play focuses on the relationship that Harry has with his youngest son, Albus, and Albus’ experiences at Hogwarts.
The original seven-part magical series by J.K. Rowling tells the story of a school-age wizard as he battles evils and learns life lessons alongside his many friends. The series follows Harry and his friends through their journey at their wizarding school, Hogwarts, as Harry works to defeat Voldemort.
Albus Potter, named for Harry’s confidant and wizarding mentor, feels burdened with the Potter name and the life that he has been thrown into because of his father’s fame. Harry and his son have a rough relationship because of this.
This play recalls several aspects of the original series, including time-turners, Polyjuice Potions and the Triwizard Tournament. Several characters from the original series, dead and alive, are incorporated throughout the play.
In the original series, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy are enemies. However, young Albus quickly befriends Malfoy’s son, Scorpius. When threats of Voldemort’s return begin to circulate, Albus and Scorpius take matters into their own hands.
In the fourth Harry Potter novel, Cedric Diggory is killed by Voldemort at the end of the Triwizard Tornament. Early in the new play, Albus overhears an elderly Amos Diggory, Cedric’s father, ask Harry to go back in time to save his son. Harry refuses this request, denying that any time turners remain in existence.
Albus wants to do what he believes to be the right thing by stealing a time turner and going on an adventure through time with Scorpius to save Cedric. However, this alters the course of time entirely, leaving the two boys to try to correct their mistakes.
As the play moves forward, young Albus, Scorpius and Harry are all left to make difficult decisions to rewrite history. Each decision affects the relationship between characters, specifically Harry and Albus as they grow farther and closer as father and son.
To read the book leaves out the excitement that would be brought by watching the play as spells are cast and characters move through time. However, this book still allows readers to once again immerse themselves into the wizarding world that fans know and love.
While this play was not written by J.K. Rowling, Thorne has a deep understanding of the underlying themes that kept readers engaged with the original series. This book differs in style to the original series because Thorne does not attempt to mimic Rowling’s writing style exactly.
There is also the fact that this is a play, not a novel. However, the connections between the young characters in the original series and their and their adult selves holds strong. This sequel to a widely loved series does, as expected, pulls the reader into the world from the first page.
Great summary! What most readers do not understand when reading this 8th book ( and what causes them to cast quick judgment) is that the story focuses more on Harry’s son than the trio themselves, although they are an important part of the story. I loved the script, having been Harry’s age myself when reading the books and growing up with him, its great seeing him handle adult life like we do…with everyday struggles like having children and being responsible for more than just yourself.
I’m excited to see how it translates on the stage!