Book Report: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child

This book is called, ‘HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD’, written by Jack Thorne and John Tiffany. Unlike what you might expect, it’s only edited by J.K Rowling. It all begins with Harry Potter’s miserable son, Albus, struggling under a colossal family legacy he never desired. Albus and his friend, Scorpius Malfoy, go on a perilous journey back in time to save a man who was killed. His death was deemed unfair, though nothing can really halt Voldemort. Or his daughter for that matter. Can Albus, Scorpius and Harry fight against Voldemort’s manipulative daughter?

Unlike J.K Rowling’s other novels, this one has been written in playscript form. Though it is comparatively agreeable, even interesting to see a different form of writing, I very much preferred the original Harry Potter books. The playscript is fun to read, but I find the more descriptive nature of the books magical. To me, the bliss of reading is in the description. The playscript is a very light read (as I had been warned by an adult, when I first received a copy). Whereas, the actual Harry Potter books, take on much greater depth of  characters and emotions.

However, I have to give credit to John Tiffany and Jack Thorne for this book. They have miraculously weaved their own style in and out of the book, leaving utmost suspense in the air in places. We have no hint of who Delphi is, at first. She is in fact, cleverly, portrayed as ever so innocent. However, the way she reacts to everything in the book makes her shrouded in an unsolved mystery. I also admire the way that these two writers were able to co-author this book. Though a light read, the plot is still quite complex : we are thrust in and out of the different scenes, questions being raised ahead, only to be answered in many scenes later.

This book, like so many other in the Harry Potter series, contains more than one, simple genre. Any conversation about Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, will be a long conversation, I assure you. This is a book of revenge, sacrifice, mystery, love and growing up. So many varied genres bundled up in one bestseller!

Overall, I would call this a good read and really recommend this book to all ages. Yes, all ages. It’s not very often that you find books, which are recommended for middle year readers, young adults and adults, so I find it quite remarkable. I would recommend though that if you have never read any of the other books in the Harry Potter series, you should first read a few of them before you read Harry Potter And The Cursed Child. There is an assumption that you already know who the characters are, so there is little context given to the characters or the setting. In that sense, even though it is a good read, it only makes sense after you have read some of the earlier books. And if you are a confirmed Harry Potter fan, then this is a MUST read, if only to be ‘in the know’ amongst the Harry Potter Club.

You can buy the book here….

Book Report: ONE DOG AND HIS BOY

This book is called, ‘ONE DOG AND HIS BOY’ written by Eva Ibbotson. It is about a boy named Hal who loves dogs. All Hal ever wanted in his life was a dog but his mother can’t stand the thought of a, ‘filthy creature’ messing her spotless house up. On Hal’s birthday, he gets a dog but doesn’t know that it’s only for the weekend. His father had assumed that Hal would get tired of the responsibility it takes to own a dog. But, Hal doesn’t. So when Hal doesn’t see Fleck (his dog) when he returns from a dentist appointment, he’s heartbroken. Figuring out that his no-good parents are behind the disappearance of Fleck, he decides to get Fleck back and run away to his grandparent’s house. When he goes back to the Dog Rental and frees Fleck, he becomes friends with the cleaner’s younger sister, Pippa, who then frees the remaining five dogs dogs and joins Hal on his journey. They start at the train station and run away. As predicted, Hal’s parents get worried and send a professional detective to find them. Since they are rich, they also put up a poster to inform citizens that Hal is missing with a big reward guaranteed for anyone who finds him. Hal, Pippa, Fleck and the five other dogs encounter many dangers along the way. One of my favourite is when Hal and Fleck almost get kidnapped but smart Pippa and the five other dogs use their skills to free them. The eight travel a long way, and along the way, each of the five dogs from the rental find their true and kind, owner. When Hal, Pippa, Fleck and one last dog (whose owner is Pippa) reach Hal’s grandparents’ house, Hal gets to stay there for a few days while Pippa goes back home with her parents. Hal’s parents then come to take Hal back home and agree to keep Fleck. Hal goes back to his colossal house after a few days. All the dogs have found their true owners and now bark happily ever after.

What I like about this book:

• This book is very touching. Although dogs aren’t my favorite, I started thinking about what animals and pets have to go through. Is their life like this? Hopeless, sad, relying on cruel people for help? If you are a dog-lover, I highly recommend this book for you. Even cat-lovers (like me) will like it. This book is joyful, sad and altogether very engaging and inspiring.
• I learnt a deep lesson while reading this book. It’s ‘not to judge a book by its cover’. This is portrayed best in two parts of the story. The first part is when Hal’s mother judges Fleck as a dirty, filthy creature while Fleck hardly messes the house at all. Secondly, Hal’s mother and father are both not fond of Hal’s grandparents as they live by the sea in a very small and smimple cottage and think that they would bring their reputation down.
• It appears to me that Eva Ibbotson became quite passionate about dogs or how dogs were treated, a little while after she realised what her friendly puppy was to her. I find this very interesting and inspiring because she does what she thinks is right and stands up for what she believes in.
• While the story was a touching and inspiring one, I found the plot quite simple and similar to some other Dog stories I have read. The storytelling was engaging but I was still looking for something that could really add to the action in the book.

I WOULD RATE THIS BOOK 7 OUT OF 10 RATING!

FIND OUT WHAT I MEAN BY READING, ‘ONE DOG AND HIS BOY’!

YOU CAN BUY IT HERE ON AMAZON FOR $7.99!

YOU CAN BUY IT HERE ON GUARDIAN BOOKSHOP FOR £5.73!