A dark complicated story where the reader continously yearns for the Rowling magic of yore.
(The review contains mild spoilers but most of the major plot points haven't been revealed)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eight instalment of the famous Harry Potter series- the only difference being it is a script of a two-part play jointly written by JK Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. Sadly, the addition of two new authors hasn't brought a positive chance. Potterheads will continue to look for the JK Rowling magic throughout the length of the book to redeem a plot which is deliciously dark and nuanced yet horribly convoluted and contrived at times.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a story of the adolescent pangs of Albus Severus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy, the unlikeliest of friends given their parenthood, strike the unlikeliest of friendships.
While Albus has a strained relationship with his dad Harry, a sinister rumour weighs down Scorpius and also becomes a barrier in his equation with a mellowed down Draco Malfoy. Albus’ continuous rebellion against what his dad stands for, finally lets to an estrangement in their relationship and what happens next forms the plot of the play .
It is a book where Rowling pays tribute to many of the long-standing fan fictions which have envisioned parallel timelines in the magical world. As young Albus and Scorpius try to change a single incident from the past to correct a ‘wrong’, it leads to multiple timelines with varying complexities. It never comes across satisfactorily, but only saving grace is readers have a sneak peek into a world where Voldemort is the supreme ruler and Harry Potter is a failed rebel (a hat-tip to how rulers control the narrative). Another alternative world is where Ron and Hermione meet each other regularly, but aren’t romantically attached though Defence of Dark Arts teacher Granger still yearns for the One Who Got Away. The Potterheads who have read up every possible fan-fiction would feel relieved to get ‘official version' of their fantasy, with Rowling's stamp of approval.
It is fair to say Harry Potter is sort of an anti-hero for a large part of the book. Like famous child prodigies who spend their adult lives trying to recapture the lost glory of their youth, the Boy Who Lived is struggling with an adult life that just isn't as exciting.
As the plot moves on, we see Potter coming to terms with the mundane nature of adult life. There's a niggling marital discord with Ginny, his running feud with Draco and glimpses of his complicated relationship with Dumbledore. As Harry struggles to keep up with parenting chores, he revisits the past (sometimes in his dreams), opening up fresh wounds which he thought were long healed. Redemption happens finally and Potter shows his vulnerable side to his son Albus towards the end.
Book launch in Chennai (AFP)
The best part of the book is when the adults come to terms with responsibilities in a post-Voldemort era. The hardcore Potterheads will like the evolved Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and especially the numerous references to the original books. Where the book falters is satisfactorily developing the newly introduced characters. It is hard to develop enough empathy for kids who are literally changing the world-order. The writers give precious little time for the readers to acknowledge and understand the motives of Albus and Scorpius, so as to feel a tinge of pity for them. The big set pieces in the story are likely to come across more emphatically in a live play than in a book.
The underlying message is same as the originals, that love trumps hate and humans carve out their destinies, prophecies don’t. In the dark and white world of Harry Potter, the writers add liberal shades of grey. It is certainly a more evolved tale but isn’t necessarily a better one. Read it for reliving the memories of Harry, Ron and Hermione. Even in their older avatar, their chemistry crackles. The book may be imperfect, yet will be loved by the fans for showing a fragile side of their heroes which is much more relatable. Some scars can’t be healed even with magic and that's what makes them special.
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