Thursday, January 28, 2016

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child... an Eighth Book?



When I saw where The Rowling Library had posted that at least two publishers were trying to get the rights to publish the script play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, I was ecstatic, to say the least. Being deathly afraid to fly, I'll never get the pleasure of enjoying this Harry Potter sequel. But a book, on the other hand, would be a true gift for all HP fans. I mean... an eighth Harry Potter book? Yes, please!


Well, once I remembered that this play was written by Jack Thorne, my heart sank just a bit. Even if this book does become a reality and gets published, will it be like the others? Will it capture us and pull us in like the other Harry Potter books did? If not, it would be a true disappointment to the Harry Potter literary legacy, especially if it is dubbed the eighth book in the series; a series that already seems so complete, in my unofficial potterhead opinion.

J.K. Rowling has a way of writing, telling a magical story with magical quotes and imagination, that is signature to her, so would The Cursed Child (as a novel) live up to the others, or would it end up feeling like a knockoff? So many authors have tried to profit from this series by making copycat versions that will never live up to the real thing. However, unlike Jack Thorne, they didn't have J.K. Rowling there to collaborate with them, either. 

If a publisher does get the rights to this story and we get a book version of the script, will her input, alone, be enough? I guess we'll all have to wait and find out when the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play comes out this May... or when the book hits the shelves, if it ever does.

Personally, I would be surprised if J.K. Rowling allowed an eighth book to be published, especially one she didn't completely write, herself. Not because she wouldn't get the royalties from it, but because that is her world. A play is one thing, but an entire novel is another. So, until we hear an announcement straight from J.K. Rowling's mouth, I'll continue to dream about what a book sequel to the best story I've ever read would be like.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Always


As most of you know, I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and after hearing of Alan Rickman's death today, who portrayed Severus Snape in the beloved Harry Potter movies, I'm actually pretty sad. It's a strange feeling, really, mourning the death of an actor whom I've never met. David Bowie passed away this week, as well, also succumbing to cancer, and his death upset me, too. Yes, I like his music and love him in the movie Labyrinth, but he's truly a stranger to me; both of them are. So, with that being said, why do I care so much? 

I think we get upset because the books and movies we love become somewhat real to us, in a way, with the characters becoming a part of our lives. I often get sad when I look at my Harry Potter books because it just reminds me that the story is fiction; it never happened. There's really no Harry, Hermione, or Ron... or Severus Snape. As a book lover who often talks to other book lovers, I know I'm not the only person who feels this way. When one of our favorite book characters die in a book, we mourn that loss. (I've boo-hoo cried many times and I'm not ashamed to admit it.) When the actor who plays them dies, it's like they take a part of that character with them.
Alan Rickman portrayed Professor Severus Snape like no one else could. From his tone of voice to his expressions, he was perfect. He will forever be with those of us who read and re-read Harry Potter, which I often do. As we read the words Snape spoke, we'll always see Alan Rickman saying them in our minds. Watching the movies will have a new hint of sadness woven in, giving birth to many more new feelings that will entwine in the already complex character that Snape is. 

I just wanted to take the time to honor him today. I hope he realized how much his fans adored him and appreciated his talent for bringing his characters to life. May his legacy live on for the next generation to enjoy.



Praying for his family during this time of sadness.