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I know there are more than a few Potter fans in the group - who is excited about today's launch of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? Any tales to tell about acquiring the final instalment?

I watched the Philosopher's Stone with my three year old today. It's her first Harry Potter movie and she loved it. I would have bought the new ebook but my wife wants to get the hardback.

My brother picked up the hardback today. According to him, it was one of the three left on the shelves!

Got a copy today! Always so exciting!

I will get one eventually. I must admit to being only moderately excited. Now if it was a full length book I would be VERY excited:)

It's a shame it's a film script and JK didn't actually write it - just oversaw the script (according to the "experts") - but because of what and who it is, I guess it destined to sell in huge quantities anyway :)

Brenda wrote: "It's a shame it's a film script and JK didn't actually write it - just oversaw the script (according to the "experts") - but because of what and who it is, I guess it destined to sell in huge quant..."

All you need are the words "Harry Potter" and "J.K. Rowling" on the cover.

That's right Elias...

I finished it yesterday and honestly, didn't really enjoy it at all :(

Wow 1 star Tamara...was it because it's a script? Not at all like the previous books?

Brenda wrote: "Wow 1 star Tamara...was it because it's a script? Not at all like the previous books?"

I was okay with the script, I definitely think the story would play out better in the play. For me, it's to do with characterisation and plot. It felt like I was reading a horribly written fanfiction instead of Harry Potter. Don't even get me started on who the "cursed child" is...

The only thing I really liked was Draco's relationship with his son, Scorpius.

Looks like it's going to be one of those "love it/hate it" books! A few highly rated reviews coming through too :)

I'm not a Harry Potter fan but must say working in a bookshop and being there on the Sunday when it was first released was an amazing experience. To see people lining up for it and the energy of the whole thing was very exciting. I think, although JK Rowling didn't write the script she did create the original story that it's all based on so it does have her hand in it. Nat at work who is a huge HP fan and read it said it was perfect. I think if I was a fan and this was all I was going to be offered of the continuation of the story I would grab it and that's what the die hard fans have done. We have sold out completely 3 times since Sunday!!!

Elaine wrote: "I'm not a Harry Potter fan but must say working in a bookshop and being there on the Sunday when it was first released was an amazing experience. To see people lining up for it and the energy of th..."

I bet it was a hectic day, Elaine. I had no real thoughts of being an early reader, but when I saw BigW was selling it for $20 I thought I might as well grab it. God, I'm so naive! Not a copy in sight when I dropped in there this morning.

It was on sale in Big W for $15 on Sunday - one day only :)

I was there a couple of days ago and saw a woman coming out with about 3 or 4 copies in her hand. Now it's almost as if the book never came out.

Andrea wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I'm not a Harry Potter fan but must say working in a bookshop and being there on the Sunday when it was first released was an amazing experience. To see people lining up for it and t..."

It was a real buzz actually Andrea. We had sold out by about 2.30 but had a lot of customers who had preordered so they didn't miss out Apparently Big W on the Sunday sold out within minutes and have come under fire for advertising it all over the place and then not having the stock to meet the demand. Pretty poor form actually. It was good for us though as we then got customers in buying it from us as they couldn't get it anywhere else. :)

That's typical of department stores Elaine - with ANY stock!

Brenda wrote: "It's a shame it's a film script and JK didn't actually write it - just oversaw the script (according to the "experts") - but because of what and who it is, I guess it destined to sell in huge quant..."

Just to clarify, it is the script of a play, not a film. I've finished it and while my review is forthcoming, I really enjoyed it and thought it clever in how it fit within the already established universe.

I just borrowed my daughter's copy, since she is rereading the whole series before starting this one.

I am so very fond of the Harry Potter series, I WANTED to be enthusiastic about the 'cursed child' but I just can't summon the enthusiasm.

As mentioned, JK didn't even write it. I could forgive that.

As someone else wrote it, it is basically fanfic. I could forgive that.

My shameful secret is that I really don't like reading plays. I made an exception for Shakespeare, but those are really the only plays I could abide. If JK had even have written it I might have bothered, as it is, I'll just re-read Prisoner of Azkaban, re-watch the movies and whinge to myself about how no one wears wizard garb in the movies.....

And hope that one day JK will pick up a pen again....

Deborah wrote: "I am so very fond of the Harry Potter series, I WANTED to be enthusiastic about the 'cursed child' but I just can't summon the enthusiasm.

As mentioned, JK didn't even write it. I could forgive th..."

what do you mean she didn't write it?

I think this is what she means Sally

The Harry Potter series took the world by storm. Her first book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone��, was real literary magic and enmeshed the reader. Her next two books were not that “magical��, but nevertheless still continued to enthrall the reader. Her balance four books were “ordinary�� books. However, by then the reader was thoroughly hooked and continued to read till the very end of the very last chapter of the 7th novel.
I was one of those readers!

Yes, Sally, What Brenda said.

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole series, which I came across having (somehow) missed the literary turmoil. So I read them 'cold' and was delighted.

Harry Potter: Book or Movie?

The Harry Potter movies were magnificent and many came to know Harry Potter through them. Most of them never cared to read the books!
However, though I liked the movies, I liked the books much more. The "magic" of the books was not there in the movies. Moreover, it is difficult to condense in a movie all the stuff contained in a whole book.

Some of the Main Characters in the Series

Harry Potter is, of course, the hero of the series, the boy destined to finish off Lord Voldemort, the villain of the series.

Hermione Granger is the main heroine of the series. Though she comes from a "non-magical" family, she is a “know-all�� of all things magical! Her knowledge of magic helps Harry a great deal in his quest to vanquish Lord Voldemort.

Ginny Weasley can also be termed a heroine of the series. She plays a vital role in the second book, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". And, of course, she eventually marries Harry Potter.

Ron Weasley is Harry’s best friend and takes part in all his adventures, together with Hermione Granger.


Draco Malfoy is a “villain�� of the series. He baits Harry continually throughout school and then, as an adult, he becomes one of the "dark lord's" supporters. However, at the very end he does appear to repent of his ways.

*Just for fun*
Just discovered a link where you can be added to one of the four houses just like the Harry Potter characters by using the Sorting Hat! It's very fun! ت


I'm a Hufflepuff! ت
I find it's very accurate as Hufflepuff suites me perfectly!

If anyone ever gets a chance to go on the Warner Bros Studio Tour near London, it is a fantastic treat for Harry Potter fans. I went there earlier this year. This is the studio where many (perhaps all) of the movies were made. The original sets are there and many of the props. It takes a full half a day or longer to get through it all. Here is the link.

That would be fascinating Elizabeth! Shame I'll never get over there :(

I'd love to see it, Elizabeth! Sadly, I'm afraid I'll probably not get there, either. =o(

I live not far from Alnwick Castle, and been there many a time and that's also a Harry Potter film location as it's Hogwarts, and there are special days out for kids. I've also seen the railway arches in Scotland where Hogwart's Express steamily chugs along many times.