Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is already a bestseller – despite the fact it hasn’t hit shelves yet! Despite the fact we know very little about the storyline; despite the fact it’s actually a script based on a theatre show.
This eighth story in the Harry Potter franchise is an original script by J.K.Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. It’s also the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.
The play and script continue from where Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ended, yet 19 years later. Harry is now a father of three and an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic. His youngest son, Albus, begins his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and strikes up a friendship with Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius. It also dwells on Harry’s life as a father, who is still struggling with the effects of his parentless childhood.
View all Harry Potter Children’s Editions
Australian booksellers have reported that pre-order sales of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are twice the number of previous bestselling pre-orders. Think Harper Lee’s Go Set A Watchman, Andy Griffith’s The 65-Storey Treehouse and E.L. James’ Grey.
As Booktopia’s very own John Purcell told the Sydney Morning Herald, “It’s nearly 20 years since the first Harry Potter was published…Twenty years! And those first enchanted and delighted readers are all adults now, some even have kids old enough to read Harry Potter themselves.
“These original readers will be feeling very nostalgic, as most still admit to missing Harry, Hermione and Ron. The temptation of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be too much. And even though they are grown ups, why shouldn’t they get to return to the magic of Harry Potter one more time?”
The Play
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child premiers on London’s West End on Saturday 30th July, the day before it is published as a script book – on 31st July, which also happens to be Harry Potter’s birthday.
Potterheads and media who have managed to score preview performance tickets have hailed the play as ‘a triumph’, ‘ a dazzling duel of light and dark’ (the Guardian), ‘a magical experience tailor made for the stage’ (the Independent), ‘ a blaze of outrageous enchantment’ (The New York Times) and on and on the rave reviews go.
Do a quick Google search and all you’ll read is ‘stellar performances’, ‘brilliant set design’, ‘engrossing plot’ … Simply put, Pottermaniacs and newbies to the wizarding world have been enchanted by the play.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts I and II
Harry Potter : Book 8
The eighth story. Nineteen years later.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a new play by Jack Thorne, is the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. It will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on 30th July 2016.
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children.
About the Contributor
Anastasia Hadjidemetri
Anastasia Hadjidemetri is the former editor of The Booktopian and star of Booktopia's weekly YouTube show, Booked with Anastasia. A big reader and lover of books, Anastasia relishes the opportunity to bring you all the latest news from the world of books.
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Comments
July 30, 2016 at 10:50 pm
I just posted a blog about this book – I’m so excited!