Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Part II —
Blast from the pasts!
**If you've reached to this post first, please read the Part I review first, to make sense of the gibberish down below**
Diving deeper into the repercussions of our actions, part 2 opens on a ravaged and defeated world, held captive by dark chains. This is the part of the story that truly shook me! There is death, there is mayhem. Everybody, including me, got hurt. Part 2 has you sticking around, spellbound, just like part 1, but, for different reasons. There is a stark contrast between parts 1 & 2. Part one captures the human condition perfectly, giving us strong, emotionally riveting story, defining the evolution of the characters from the previous books. While Part 2 is jam-packed with action, heroics and a flying girl!! But, more than that it is a story of realisation, redemption and closure. Revolving around the dynamism and friendship of Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy, we see an unlikely hero rising.
The action is just the right amount interspersed throughout the story; and in between these enthralling action sequences, we have a wonderful story seeking answers, resolving issues and finding closure. Maybe a happily ever-after; but, not without peril.
In part one as well as the other books, we get to experience the story focused on the protagonists. What they do or do not do. But, here we have a shift in focus. We shift from focussing on any individuals to focussing on ideas. Specifically those of Love and Friendship. A wonderful read it was. We get multiple story arcs with the “changing times”! And all of these revolve around love and friendship. A heartwarming read it was.
The first arc we get is of Professor Snape. Yes, we get to see Professor Severus Snape our revered Half-Blood Prince one more time before he dies. As we read the defeated professor surviving in a devastated world, we see his Love for Lily echo through time. Once again pushing the professor to save the day. In the end, the professor gets to inspire a generation he never saw coming to existence! I, personally, have a great respect for Professor Snape’s character. His, sometimes myriad, motivations trouble our protagonists! Right until the moment we get to see his dying gift to Harry. That memory he hid , even from himself for all those years! But, his death left us wanting. To have that last talk with Harry. The farewell! This story, right here, is the closure with Professor Snape we all fans needed!
Next we see an unexpected yet a pertinent story arc revolving around the “friendship” of a character we loved to hate, but, ended up pitying - Draco Malfoy and the man who had lived - Harry Potter.Malfoy’s tragedies, his bitterness, his secrets, his lack of friendship, his envy, all work out to put in a picture of full fledged grown man who has had his fair share of life and seeks only peace and comfort now. His story is truly moving as it shows us the life of a death-eater’s son. This is a friend Harry never had!
Over the previous 7 books we have seen many of our favourite characters pair up. But, for me, it is Hermione and Ron who are the most amazing couple. They truly compliment each other. As the revelations force the characters to look inwards into their own abyss, Hermione and Ron provide each other a unique comfort. We see Love as ever-prominent with Ron and Hermione no matter where or how far apart they are. This story is about both, strengthening and renewal of Love! (😍)
Our two protagonists have a roller coaster ride of a fourth year all the while searching for themselves; and, they search together. Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy, both lost and trapped, theirs is an inspiring friendship. They bring out the best in each other, they stick through hardships, force each other to senses and also, survive each other. Their friendship solidifying is pretty fine to read!
Father and son relation is a very dynamic one where the son has the potential to rise to his father’s level and beyond, while the father has the ability to guide the son with his life resonating the father’s own younger days. Harry and Albus’ relationship captures that dynamism beautifully, where their story is of both love and friendship. Their story is a testament to the human imperfectness and how that is an asset and not a fault. Plus the ending is great. It hits all the correct notes.
At the end I would like to take a look back at the whole story, the book as a whole. This story takes you from nostalgia to aching love, from lost friends to renewed lives, from quirky to devastated, it takes you on a journey that you would expect from a typical Harry Potter story, only somehow, better. surely worth the night I spent hooked.
Do let me know how you felt reading the book in the comments below…
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