By Dumbledore! Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! I’m still trying to process what I’ve read but I’ve decided to write down my initial (spoiler-free) impressions before rereading and analyzing the newest story later on. My first thought was how amazing – stunning – spectacular – breathtaking – etc – it must look on stage. It was closely followed by the question: how on earth did they manage to pull it off without magic? I mean, all those set decorations, special effects, choreography… and all that.
It was definitely not what I would have expected. I mean, I tried not to expect anything, so I don’t know what I expected, but I was surprised by the plot and twists and turns that it took. I was also surprised by the way some of the characters turned out to be and how they interacted with each other. I don’t know. I kept thinking that I would write it differently and so would Jo. I could just tell that she didn’t write the thing. I found something alien in the style, the words, the expressions, the humour… I think I once said that it is a legitimized fanfiction and it definitely is. In fact, at times I found that it was a mixture of all possible headcanons and fanfic scenarios that I’ve ever heard of put together.
It was definitely not what I would have expected. I mean, I tried not to expect anything, so I don’t know what I expected, but I was surprised by the plot and twists and turns that it took. I was also surprised by the way some of the characters turned out to be and how they interacted with each other. I don’t know. I kept thinking that I would write it differently and so would Jo. I could just tell that she didn’t write the thing. I found something alien in the style, the words, the expressions, the humour… I think I once said that it is a legitimized fanfiction and it definitely is. In fact, at times I found that it was a mixture of all possible headcanons and fanfic scenarios that I’ve ever heard of put together.
It is not a novel so everything is condensed and, therefore, extremely intense – the pace is wicked. I’m not yet sure whether I like it or not. I’m discombobulated (*snickers* you’ll know what I mean when you read the play). I think I do. I do like the story. I just need to read it again... and again... and again! It is exciting and hilarious and sad and heart-breaking and intriguing and wild and shocking and unexpected and batshit crazy and it definitely should be watched on stage. But – and this is entirely my issue – Harry is my favourite character and when he is treated unfairly, hurt, criticized, has aspersions cast against him, etc, I get very-very angry – especially, if it’s someone very close to him.
But this story did something very important (maybe without even realizing it) – it addressed an issue that a lot of fans regarded as possible for resolution of certain plot things within the seven-book story arc, criticizing Jo for not using it when it would obviously (in their opinion) solve so many problems, and it showed them exactly why it would be a very-very bad idea. So... has anyone read it yet?
But this story did something very important (maybe without even realizing it) – it addressed an issue that a lot of fans regarded as possible for resolution of certain plot things within the seven-book story arc, criticizing Jo for not using it when it would obviously (in their opinion) solve so many problems, and it showed them exactly why it would be a very-very bad idea. So... has anyone read it yet?
On an entirely unrelated note, did you see Jo yesterday? She looked magical, didn’t she?
