Yes, I read it. And I’ve had a couple of weeks to process Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, this big disappointment of a play that picks up where the epilogue in the final book of the Harry Potter series ends.
I love Harry Potter. I have always been stridently against Rowling continuing the story that was so perfectly completed in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The series wraps up so beautifully. I’ve always been worried that any additions would tamper with the meaning of the series, so I mostly cover my eyes whenever new tidbits emerge from Pottermore or Rowling’s tweets.
Since the publication of book seven, I’ve always been relieved that Rowling stopped writing Harry Potter novels. While I will defend the story of the series to the death, statements Rowling has made lead me to wonder whether she really understands why the books are so good. I hope she does, but it’s possible that she wrote the books without realizing their genius. Think George Lucas and how episodes 1-3 reveal that he must have never understood why the original Star Wars were any good. But I have more faith in Rowling than in Lucas.
Anyhow. When I heard about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child I thought…a play! That could be fun, right? A play that takes place years later? Get some new characters in there and enjoy the wizarding world Rowling created? This could be ok!
Wrong. It’s not. It’s not ok. This is why:
Rowling Didn’t Actually Write It
The play was written by Jack Thorne while the story was created in collaboration with Rowling and given her stamp of approval. This is why the play reads like okayish fan fiction instead of Rowling’s actual work. The moral of this story is to never sign your characters over to other people. Unless you’re George Lucas, in which case, please let other people do the writing for you, k thanks.
It’s Not a Novel, It’s a Play
I think those of us who are just reading the script and not seeing the play in London are missing something in translation. By nature of the medium plays are meant to be viewed, of course, not read. A novel allows more time to get to know the characters and a more fleshed out story. Plays are shorter and because all the information the audience needs to know is shared through dialogue and visuals, it’s simply going to read much differently than a novel.
This may be why the characters in Cursed Child read like charicatures of themselves. Ron? Oh yeah, that kinda goofy guy that tells dad jokes. Hermione? Driven, ambitious smart girl. The characters sound like they were written by someone who is semi-familiar with the series, they don’t sound like the characters themselves.
While I adore the series of novels, I admit that Rowling’s writing style leaves something to be desired, her genius is in the story not the writing. But much of the dialogue in Cursed Child feels downright painful and I think it’s more than just the matter of it being a different medium.
****SPOILERS AHEAD****
Just Stop with the Time Travel
Time travel is just such a tired trope. It’s difficult to do it well without the same old problems coming up. Rowling DID do it well in Prisoner of Azkaban, but the time travel in Cursed Child is just exasperating and honestly, boring. New plot, please. You can do better, Rowling. I mean, Thorne. (Maybe he can’t?)
I Don’t Believe You About Voldemort
And then there’s the matter of Voldemort’s child that he shares with Bellatrix Lestrange. And just no. Nope. Absolutely not. Everything we know about Voldemort would tell us that this is impossible.
Voldemort does not desire friends. He wants followers. He doesn’t want family, he murdered all of his family. He does not want to need or be truly connected with anyone ever. True intimacy with another human being is unthinkable.
While the play tells the basic facts of the parentage of Voldemort’s child (Voldemort and Bellatrix), it doesn’t go into details or try to convince us that Voldemort loved Bellatrix–anyone familiar with these characters would know that’s absurd. Voldemort has no understanding of love. We see this again and again in the novels. But I don’t even think Voldemort is remotely interested in sex, even apart from love. How could he be interested in anything that requires another human being, vulnerability, and connection? If it takes two to tango, Voldemort isn’t interested in dancing, if you know what I mean. I can see Bellatrix being into him because of her insane obsession with him, but the idea that he would be sexually interested in anyone goes against everything we know about him. And I’m not buying it.
I expect this to be the only time I write about Voldemort’s sex life, but who knows? Life often surprises me.
Worth Reading?
To be fair, I didn’t hate the experience of reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Seeing the names of my favorite characters on the page again felt a little magical. I’d actually love to see the play. There are so many different sets and scene changes that I can’t imagine how they even pull it off. It must be incredible.
But the STORY, y’all. The story wasn’t in the same ballpark as the novels. The characters were flat (except for Scorpius. I’m a big fan of Scorpius). And there were a few things–Voldemort’s lovechild being the most obvious–that just didn’t ring true from what we already know about these characters.
I think if I have one word to describe Harry Potter and the Cursed Child it would be uninspired. It’s so forgettable that I think I’ll be able to ignore that it ever happened and remember the novels as the true canon. So, if you’re worried that reading it will destroy your love for the series, it’s just not compelling enough to do that. And if you haven’t read it, I really wouldn’t bother. You’re not missing anything.
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I couldn’t have said it better myself. I agree with you that it would be interesting to see how it looks on stage. But as a book and as a part of the series? No, just no.
Your opinion was the one I was most interested in hearing! I totally agree with everything you wrote! Also, I think Voldemort was too arrogant to have a child; he would have had to admit that the horcruxes might not work, that his brilliant plan was fallible if he were going to have a child as a back up plan. If she was born at Malfoy Manor before the Battle of Hogwarts then she would have had to have been conceived before the trio stole the cup from Bellateix’s vault at Gringott’s, and that’s when he realized that they were going after the horcruxes. So the timing just doesn’t add up to me. Scorpius is the only character I actually really enjoyed from the whole story!
Good point!
YES! I was thinking this,too.
Totally agree. “Fan fiction” is the word I kept using to describe it to my husband, and Ron’s portrayal was definitely among the most insultingly 2-dimensional. Also, were you as disturbed as I was by their using Dumbeldore’s name as an oath — “Thank Dumbledore” = “Thank God”? Then I looked at the note about the authors and turns out Thorne is also adapting Phillip Pullmans “His Dark Materials” into a TV series. So there you go.
Ugh. That makes total sense. I thought we could be done with Pullman after that atrocious film of The Golden Compass.
I love when you write about HP. I haven’t felt compelled to read TCC, even though I’m a huge fan of the series. After reading this, I feel cemented in that decision. I would like to see the play someday though, because favorite characters in a new medium? Yes please.
(and yes, your point about Voldemort is so obvious. How could Rowling ever okay that plot line?!)
Yup, just skip it, Shannon!
These were the exact points I highlighted in my review, too. We knew the characters too well in the books to accept them portrayed this way; they are simply not true to themselves and we know it.
I wish, instead, that Ms. Rowling had challenged herself to write the script herself. It had potential, but fell far short.
“they are simply not true to themselves and we know it.” Alas! So true!
Fan fiction is exactly how I describe it. And! Never for a second do I believe than in an alternate reality Herminonie turns mean without Ron. UGH. Give the woman some credit.
And the caricature of Harry? Also not Buying it. And regulating Ginny to a back seat? She’s the 7th daughter of a 7th daughter!
I could go on, but my blood pressure is spiking.
You’re so right. I think it’s clear that this play was NOT written by a woman.
“I expect this to be the only time I write about Voldemort’s sex life, but who knows?” This made me laugh. =)
Flannery O’Connor once wrote about meeting fans of her work. They asked her strange questions about the symbolism in her stories. When asked about the purpose of a particular man’s hat, she said something like, “Um, to cover his head?” I’m not sure it’s uncommon for a writer not to understand what makes a story good. It’s been on my mind recently that a story never says only one thing, and we often have deep, important, real things to say. Sometimes an author will realize that after publishing, and work after that will be a clumsy attempt to communicate some horrible “progressive” message we’re supposed to accept as an enlightened culture. Her comments about Dumbledore, etc. have always made me afraid that’s what we’d get if she wrote more. A mediocre fanfic play I can handle, though- kids don’t read plays.
I love that Flannery quote!
I largely agree. I don’t regret having read it but I think without a conscious decision I’ve just kind of walled it off from the rest of Potterdom. I had a discussion with a friend and then attended a book club discussion… that went so long I had to leave to go to Mass (so somewhere around the 3 hour mark.. a very passionate group of Potter fans with lots of good points).
Couple of things—
We had 2 people who had seen the play and felt that format did work well with the story. Based on that and stills from the production, I’d see it if I could and it were reasonably priced.
Totally agree, as does everyone I can tell, on the whole “no way” on the Voldy-Bellatrix love child thing. In conversations I’ve had, we’re all kind of going towards “maybe she had a baby and convinced herself it was his” for head canon.
The club also was sad about Ron’s flatness, and pissed about Hermione’s turning into a spinster shrew without Ron. Also, while I liked that Snape made the sacrifice play (which I consider in character), I must admit his lines were rather too nice and too open. Nope nope nope. Another issue was the Trolley Witch, which was just a “what the?” moment for everyone, and apparently involves Wolverine-esque claws bursting out in the play. Lastly, where JKR made rules for her world, this story didn’t really obey them—e.g. transfiguring Harry shouldn’t have been so hard I don’t think.
anyway.. clearly the book was thought-provoking at least!
I could probably accept the crazy Bellatrix having a pregnancy and convincing herself she carried the child of the Dark Lord. She’s so bizarre. Interesting theory there.
And I am WITH you on the Snape stuff. Snape was WAY too nice. The part where he was like, “Tell Albus Severus I’m proud he carries my name” or whatever. NOPE. No way would he EVER say that to Harry’s son.
YES to everything you’ve said here. This is one book/play I wish I could unread. For the first twenty pages or so I was nostalgically thrilled to be back in the wizarding world, but as the characters and the long-held truths started to unravel I was cringe-reading. I’m still baffled as to why Rowling gave this her stamp of approval. I can almost imagine enjoying the theatrical version, but it never should have been bound up and published this way. Thanks for your review, Haley!
I felt super nostalgic at the beginning, too! And I think it wasn’t ever MEANT to be published like this but the publishers just couldn’t help themselves because ALL THAT MONEY.
I haven’t even read the article yet, but one thousand style points for using “you needn’t bother”. It’s my absolute favorite Anglicism!
Ha! Thanks, Betsy. 🙂
I basically agree…but I didn’t read Voldemort’s daughter as a “love child.” I thought of it more as a, “this person could come in useful in the future/making a kid is like making a horcrux but different” sort of thing. I’d never believe Voldemort would be interested in a relationship or sex, but if it kept him “alive” and in the game, I could see him trying it. But, I thought it was a rather obvious plot device, regardless. Overall very much fan fiction. Great writing, Haley!
Yeah, I think that’s much MORE likely. However I don’t see Voldemort being humble enough to think he needed anything but horcruxes AND I don’t think he’d think of a child keeping him “alive” in some sense. I think he’s too self-centered and hates the idea of needing anyone but himself.
Agreed. The only thing that makes it even remotely plausible is that he’d be using people, but even that is a huge stretch.
I was just listening to your Harry Potter podcast and wondering what you thought of TCC. Now I know 🙂 And, while I agree with all your objections, I actually enjoyed it quite a bit.
I see TCC much as I see the Force Awakens: an chance to indulge in a favourite universe and revisit who old characters might have become, with enough new twists to make it fun. I also really appreciated how the authors explored how sameness and differences create conflict in parent-child relationships and how uncomfortable and strange it is to mourn for someone you never really got to know. I happened to be mired in both of those issues while I was reading – if I were to re-read it later, I don’t know if either of those points would have redeemed TCC for me.
My biggest beef with it, however, was the lack of acknowledgement of Fred Weasley’s death. There were so many opportunities to explore how it affected both Ron and Ginny, their empathy for the deaths that are haunting Harry, and it could have added some depth to Ron’s two-dimensional jokester caricature. Why is Uncle Ron so lame? Because he’s trying to be your dead Uncle Fred, Albus.
I wonder how much Rowling was actively involved in writing the script. It’s not like her to write shallow characters or leave threads hanging. Hopefully, she goes back to Cormoran Strike. Those novels are spot on.
“Why is Uncle Ron so lame? Because he’s trying to be your dead Uncle Fred, Albus.” LOL. Yes.
And I’m curious about Rowling’s involvement, too. Her characters are so fantastic that I have a hard time imagining she had much to do with this one.
Your blog popped up in my Harry Potter google alert (which I made because I wanted to buy the cursed child tickets last year hihi) and I very much agree with you on the plot. It’s uninspired and thin and also predictable.
I haven’t read the book but I have seen the play and it really IS fantastic (Scorpius is gold). You’re so into it while watching and Delphi (and her actress) seems so charming that it took me some time to figure out who she was.
Anyway, I wouldn’t compare it to either the books or the films, it’s something completely different and I’d highly recommend seeing the play because honestly, sometimes I was like what? how did that happen? I also think the prices are very reasonable, best seats cost less than in a west end musical…
Really glad I found your page and looking forward to reading other articles of yours:)
Hi Debi! Thanks for stopping by. I was so surprised at the predictability! It was obvious that Delphi wasn’t what she seemed, then disappointing when it all turned out just as expected. I’m so jealous that you’ve seen the play! I think that would be a game changer for me.
Like Debi, your post pop popped up in my Google alerts, and I too have been lucky enough to see the play, which was absolutely breathtaking (to quote my 9yo afterwards: “mind….blown…”). However, I totally agree with you on the plot points, especially the issue of the fruit of Voldemort’s loins and the time travel (more; “mind…confused”).
I’m intrigued to see that rumours are starting to surface about it becoming a movie trilogy – which seems an obvious format. Will be interesting to see what happens on that front.
Thanks for stopping by, Julie! Yes, I’m interested to see what happens about the movie concept. It seems impossible to make THREE movies out of this play, but maybe they would flesh it out differently and that could be a good thing? Again, super jealous that you got to see the play!
DUDE OK I know we’ve already talked about this but I forgot to mention my theory behind Voldy/Bellatrix.
I think he raped her, because he KNEW she was so freaking obsessed with him, and he knew that in a sick, twisted way, this could possibly be the way he had the most power over her.
Although I’m still not sold. He barely had a nose. How am I supposed to believe his junk worked?
A friend of mine and I came to the same conclusion. I mean, if I’m going to but the idea that sexual intercourse actually happened (which I don’t think I do) then this is the only possibility. I’m not sure he understands Bellatrix’s obsession with him. He mostly seems annoyed. And why would he want to jeopardize her devotion? And yes! Haha. Surely the whole, “I didn’t have a body for several years” makes you wonder. 😉
I agree with A LOT of what you are saying here. Did I thoroughly enjoy reading the book? Yes. Do I think it is even close to the original novels? No. Do I for one second believe Cedric would be a death eater over a little humiliation? No. Is Scorpious amazing? Yes. Loved reading your review!
Yes! I didn’t even get into the Cedric thing, but so unbelievable! Humiliations and disappointments would completely change Cedric or Hermione’s characters. No way. And I just love Scorpius to pieces. 🙂 Thanks, Sarah!
I agree 100% and I’ve seen the theatre production. I have said to everyone that asks, the production is incredible, one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen, but the plot and the story is nothing more than ‘meh’.
Everything I have heard about it makes me feel happy with my choice to not only not read it, but also just pretend it never happened. 😛
I just saw part two tonight and remembered that you wrote a review of the script that I couldn’t read because #spoilers.
I have to say, if you ever get a chance to see the play on stage…do it. My husband and I are both seasoned performance peeps and the technical work is jaw-dropping. The story felt like it was trying to cram too much into the time given at moments, but there were some seriously gorgeous scenes and the cast is brilliant. I probably won’t read the script, but I walked away from the theatre tonight satisfied.
I’m a few scenes in and had planned to wait to read your review after finishing but my frustration with the writing & banal storyline prompted me to read it now.
As an avid reader of JKR’a writings on Pottermore, I can assure you that the play reads like she had nothing to do with it (which may be true.).
I really enjoy the character of Scorpius – he alone seems to be a Rowling creation. I’m still unsure about Albus, but the other children read flat. I expected more growth in the adult characters – most people change significantly in the 20 years following high school – not so here…. And while seeing a play helps bring characters to life, well written plays can create very complex characters through the dialogue and setting notes. So far this play reads like it was written to showcase special effects with a barebones story line. What a shame that they didn’t just make a play of the first book.
& to join into the Voldemort sex life convo (a first for me too) I also agree that Voldemort would never have consented to an intimate relationship with Belatrix. It doesn’t fit.
Maybe JKR will publish a story revealing that this was all a dream…if only.
I’m a few scenes in and had planned to wait to read your review after finishing but my frustration with the writing & banal storyline prompted me to read it now.
As an avid reader of JKR’a writings on Pottermore, I can assure you that the play reads like she had nothing to do with it (which may be true.).
I really enjoy the character of Scorpius – he alone seems to be a Rowling creation. I’m still unsure about Albus, but the other children read flat. I expected more growth in the adult characters – most people change significantly in the 20 years following high school – not so here…. And while seeing a play helps bring characters to life, well written plays can create very complex characters through the dialogue and setting notes. So far this play reads like it was written to showcase special effects with a barebones story line. What a shame that they didn’t just make a play of the first book.
…& to join into the Voldemort sex life convo (a first for me too) I also agree that Voldemort would never have consented to an intimate relationship with Belatrix. It doesn’t fit.
Maybe JKR will publish a story revealing that this was all a dream…if only.
Thank you for this. I picked it up in Walmart, flipped through a couple of pages, and thought, “What is this crap?” Now I don’t need to waste my time.
Please. Don’t ever mention Voldemort’s sex life (or lack thereof) again. Thanks.
You raise good points that I hadn’t thought of! I saw the Cursed Child on stage in London and I think you really miss a trick by *only* reading it (unlucky for US readers), but perhaps the stage magic obscured its plot flaws? Here’s my review of the play if of interest: https://inmywritemindme.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/harry-potter-%e2%9a%a1%ef%b8%8f-and-the-cursed-child-%e2%98%a0%ef%b8%8f/
However, I totally agree that the time travel is ridiculous and raises some serious logical/philosophical problems!! (https://inmywritemindme.wordpress.com/2017/06/08/the-trouble-with-time-travel/)
I love your HP posts, keep it up!