I really enjoyed the nostalgic fun of being back in the world of Harry Potter where I spent so much time when the books first came out. Reading a play was great too; I enjoyed imagining how it might look on stage. There were elements that worked better than others. Albus and Scorpius were great. I loved their honest awkward exploration of friendship. Draco and Harry did well together. I thought Ron’s character was weak and silly. Did everyone else grow up but him? The time travel was confusing in places. Harry and Albus’s relationship could have been a little less labored and more interesting as the main plot line. Somehow even at the end they miss the mark a little. One of Harry’s kid’s being placed in Slytherin was a great plot device but they didn’t develop it enough to for me. The connection to the dark arts through Voldemort could have been a bonding element between father and son. The father helping the son understand that choice is what determines a good or bad wizard. Mostly it was really fun though and I’d love to read it out loud with kids taking parts.
Reviewed by Susan Plimpton