Book Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child By: Nishanth Balaji

 Book Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

By: Nishanth Balaji

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a unique addition to the Harry Potter universe, co-written by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne. Unlike the seven novels that came before it, Cursed Child takes the form of a stage play, and its script format gives it a distinct feel. Set nineteen years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the story focuses on the next generation, particularly Harry's youngest son, Albus Potter, and his struggle to live up to his family legacy. While the play dives into themes of friendship, family, and destiny, it’s a controversial addition to the saga, with fans either loving its new direction or feeling disconnected from it.

A New Generation of Witches and Wizards

One of the most interesting aspects of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is how it shifts the spotlight to the children of the original characters. Albus Potter, son of the famous Harry, is struggling to carve out his own identity at Hogwarts. Unlike his father, who was placed in Gryffindor and embraced his role as a hero, Albus feels overshadowed and ends up being sorted into Slytherin. This creates tension between him and his father, as Albus resents the weight of Harry’s legacy and the constant expectations placed upon him.

At the heart of this story is the complicated father-son dynamic between Harry and Albus. Watching them try to understand each other—Harry, as a father with a past full of trauma, and Albus, as a teenager trying to find his place—is both emotional and relatable. It brings a fresh perspective to the wizarding world, showing that even though Voldemort is gone, the scars left behind still impact the lives of those who survived.

Albus’s best friend, Scorpius Malfoy, is another highlight. As the son of Draco Malfoy, Scorpius has his own struggles with family reputation, but instead of being a mirror image of his father, he’s kind, nerdy, and loyal. His friendship with Albus is one of the strongest parts of the play, giving the story an emotional core that keeps it grounded. The chemistry between Albus and Scorpius feels authentic, and their misadventures are both humorous and heartfelt.

Time Travel and Alternate Realities

One of the boldest decisions in Cursed Child is the heavy use of time travel as a plot device. Albus and Scorpius get their hands on a Time-Turner, which they use to try and fix what they believe are past mistakes—particularly, saving Cedric Diggory from his tragic death in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Their well-meaning attempts to change the past lead to disastrous consequences, creating alternate timelines where things have gone horribly wrong.

While the concept of time travel opens the door for intriguing “what-if” scenarios, it also feels like a departure from the original books' grounded approach to magic. The alternate realities provide a look into how small changes can create ripples with massive consequences, including a world where Voldemort won the Battle of Hogwarts. However, the constant jumping between timelines can feel a bit disorienting, and at times, the story feels like it’s relying too heavily on nostalgia, pulling in characters and events from the past rather than moving forward with its own original plotlines.

Nostalgia vs. New Direction

For fans of the original series, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child offers a heavy dose of nostalgia. Characters like Snape, Dumbledore, and even Voldemort make appearances through the alternate timelines, giving longtime fans a chance to revisit some of the most iconic moments in the series. But while these callbacks to the original books are exciting, they can sometimes feel forced, as if the play is leaning too much on its predecessor’s success instead of charting its own course.

At the same time, the play introduces new elements and characters that some fans might find jarring. The pacing, influenced by the stage format, feels faster and more frenetic than the slow build of Rowling’s novels. Some elements, like the strained relationship between Harry and his son, feel authentic and fresh, while others—such as the revelation of Voldemort having a child—might leave fans questioning the creative direction. This balance between nostalgia and new ideas is where the play becomes divisive: some readers may embrace the new direction, while others may feel it deviates too much from the original tone and magic of the series.

Final Thoughts: A Play That Divides the Fandom

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an ambitious and daring continuation of the Harry Potter series, but it is not without its flaws. The shift to a play format, with its fast-paced dialogue and minimalistic scene descriptions, might take some getting used to for those who are used to Rowling’s rich, descriptive prose. The heavy reliance on time travel, while offering interesting possibilities, can also feel convoluted at times.

That being said, Cursed Child excels in exploring deeper emotional themes—particularly the complexity of parent-child relationships and the weight of living in someone else’s shadow. For readers who grew up with Harry, seeing him struggle as a parent adds a new layer to his character, making him feel more human and relatable.

Whether or not Cursed Child lives up to the expectations set by the original seven books is something each reader will have to decide for themselves. It’s a play that dares to take risks, and while some of those risks pay off, others may leave fans longing for the original magic. Either way, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child remains a must-read for anyone who wants to revisit the wizarding world and see how the story of Harry Potter continues to evolve.

Works Cited

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. London, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, July 31, 2016.