Review of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child -- Book

 Sometimes costs are made to be borne

 
I must say procuring this book was an adventure in itself. I had pre-ordered this book and they did not deliver as promised. But I still managed to grab it on the same day as it was released -- 31st July 2016. A day I and several Harry Potter fans were waiting for anxiously. I was both excited and nervous. Excited because I was reading a new Harry Potter, after such a long time, and nervous because I was worried it wouldn't meet my expectations.

The book is a play based on a story by J.K Rowling and John Tiffany, written by Jack Thorne. It is a complete script with only dialogues and very few description of the characters or the surroundings. If you (like me) haven't seen the play or will not be able to watch it in the near future, then you have to heavily rely on your previous readings to get the feel of the environment.

Most parts of the book made me feel nostalgic and emotional, especially when I read about Harry, who is now the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, facing struggles at work and with his son, Albus. Hermoine is the Minister of Magic and Ron runs Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Harry's wife Ginny writes the sports section of the Daily Prophet. McGonagall is now the Headmistress at Hogwarts. The book starts off where Deathly hallows left, and takes you through a very familiar world. Harry and Albus do not see eye to eye and Draco and his son Scorpius are also not on good terms, especially after his mother Astoria passes away.

Albus is worried he will be sorted into Slytherin at the start of his school year and his fears are soon realized. He becomes friends with Scorpius, who is rumored to be the son of Voldemort. They fail to make other friends and mainly stay within themselves, much to the chagrin of Harry. Both are considered the outcasts and Albus especially turns into this brooding teenager who has daddy issues. Scorpius is the comic relief and in no way the side kick, and he has a bit of Hermoine in him. Albus is more like his dad adventurous, loyal and a bit reckless. Albus develops a crush on Delphi, who is Cedric's cousin. Yes that poor Cedric Diggory, who lost his life during the Triwizard Tournament (Goblet of fire). Most of the story revolves around Cedric.

While the boys are facing their own problems, Harry is facing his own demons. His scar starts to hurt again and he starts dreaming again of Voldemort calling to him. This sent chills down my spine. Lets see- Voldemort, Umbridge and Bellatrix would come in my top three most hated villains of all time, and the name calling was a bit too much (Harrrryyy Potterrrr). Like always no one believes him when he says that Voldemort is back(is he really?), just like they did not believe him the first time.

All I can say is that while reading the book I was nervous and excited for all the adventures and it made me feel like a kid again, this time with Albus and Scorpius not with Harry, Hermoine and Ron. Overall I was satisfied, it did not make me hate Harry or any of his friends(phew!) or any of the writers.

A must read for all Harry Potter fans, I am sure you will not be disappointed. Many of your questions will be answered. Is Scorpius really Voldemort's child? Did Voldemort have a child? and most of all Who is this mysterious Delphi?

The main moral of this book and all Harry Potter books is only one - Cherish your friends and their friendship and remain loyal to them.

Mischief Managed

(SPOILER ahead - highlight to read)
Every important character of the Potterverse  makes a cameo appearance in the book. Some we love (Snape - Yayyy and Cedric) and some we hate(Umbridge - Ughhh). There were some time tested formulas used, like writing on the blanket for the future Harry to read. I felt this book bought us to a complete circle and gave us closure, the story began in Godric's Hollow and ended it there. Harry watching as Voldemort attacks his parents and his helplessness would bring a tear to anybody's eye.