You probably heard that there’s a new Harry Potter book. But it’s not a novel. It’s not written by J. K. Rowling. It’s a script for a play – in two parts – that has just premiered in London. It’s based on Rowling’s idea, but written by two muggles, director John Tiffany and playwright Jack Thorne. It’s called Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. (Amazon.com, Amazon UK)
The Amazon description is quite clear:
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.
That didn’t stop a number of fans from expecting to crack open the latest Harry Potter novel by JK Rowling on Sunday night, however, as their Amazon.com reviews would attest.
Here are excerpts from three of the reviews that The Telegraph cites:
“Very disappointed that I didn’t research more… Not a book but a script instead… So DISAPPOINTED!”
“Thought I was buying a book it was a play my bad I’m disappointed! Need to look closer at your purchase !”
“No flow, no chemistry, no feel, just words…just does not blend right…something seems off, oh wait, it’s a script, not a nice flowing novel..no wonder”
I picked out a few quotes myself:
Gutted, I love the Harry Potter series and really wanted to like this. I felt it to be as shallow as a puddle with short scenes and little description.
Feel like an utter fool for not reading the words of JK. It was not written by her & it is a SCRIPT.
Agree with the other reviews, wish I’d read before buying! On stage I imagine it’s great, but a disappointing read and no comparison to the first 7 books and in my opinion shouldn’t have been released as a book!
Someone needs to teach these readers how to read…