Book Style + Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, inspired by an original story by J. K. Rowling is the subject of today's Book Style. I'm going to talk about the book below in more detail, since it's a bit spoiler heavy, so let's jump right into the Book Style.

A pair of black Harry's jeans and a vibrant "Ginny" tank form the base. On top I've added a "Stockholm Syndrome" cardigan for an extra witchy vibe and because I have some feels about how Delphi was raised. A pair of magical "Scorpius" sneakers and a "Magic Touch" hat will keep the tip and the toes covered. For jewelry I added a "Rubber & Magic" ring, a serpent arm band, an Augurey-inspired feather necklace, and a pair of skull earrings. For accessories I chose a "Witch Craft" clutch, a black magic phone case, and a pair of "B'witched" sunglasses to hide that evil gleam in your eyes. The final touch is a bit of sparkly "Dirty Baby" nail lacquer.

Okay, onto my thoughts about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Careful, SPOILERS ahead!

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I won't be the first person to proclaim that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child gave me a lot of mixed feelings. Unlike some people, I'm okay with the story continuing. I'm even okay with the play as a whole - even if I wish it wasn't ONLY a play. Losing Jo's voice, as integral to the world of Harry Potter as the Boy Who Lived, himself, is a bit of a blow to the emotional depth of the story. And reading a play always means experiencing less character insight than a novel allows. We are suddenly stripped of the inner monologues, the nuanced emotions, the narrative point of view. If I saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child live in London, I believe that I wouldn't be mourning this lack of intimacy. I like to think I'm blessed with a fairly creative imagination and Jack Thorne's stage direction allowed me to get a sense of what being in the theater would actually be like, but reading it on paper is cold. I would recommend really looking at the cast and performance photos ahead of time to help envision the characters better. I will admit that picturing them as the overdone "aged" versions from the final film never worked well for me. With the lack of physical descriptions in the script, I found it easier to see them that way.

What I do love about the direction that Jo guided Thorne and John Tiffany in is that the play addresses a few of the qualms I had with her original ending. They are able to add a bit more depth to Dumbledore and Snape by acknowledging that while admirable in their sacrifices, they were deeply flawed humans. I'm still not sure how I feel about Voldemort and Bellatrix getting it on. I know Bellatrix would've been all about it, but Voldemort always struck me as being incredibly asexual. I can't picture him getting off on anything but power and cruelty. Maybe the were into BDSM. Or maybe they used some sort of magical in vitro to produce an heir of the Heir of Slytherin. So, that's weird. I hate that Delphi misses out on an opportunity at being a more three dimensional character by being introduced in a play and losing out on us seeing her better. Not thrilled that there's an air of being desperate for daddy's approval, either. I feel like making her evil in her own right would have been a better move. Voldemort's heir would surely want power for herself in her father's absence, not to bring him back to power. Maybe if they'd elaborated on her background more and her upbringing and how much indoctrination she had actually been subjected to. Ah, if wishes were horses... All in all, I am glad I read it and I enjoyed dipping my toes back into the magical world of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

If you're on the fence about this one, I would recommend it with a couple of caveats: Remember it's a play. Remember that it isn't a story about Harry, it's a story about Albus and Scorpius.

Character Style: Ronald Bilius Weasley

Ronald Bilius Weasley. Resident smartass of Hogwarts. So used to existing in his brothers' shadows that being friends with super-famous, albeit against his will, Harry Potter seems to be a fairly natural fit for Ron. The thing is, Ron is actually a talented Quidditch player and an incredibly loyal friend - thus, a natural Gryffindor. His nerves and his belief that he is always second best often work against him, but Ron deserves better from his own self-esteem. Even Dumbledore was so aware of Ron's crippling insecurities that he had the foresight to gift him the deluminator. He's also crazy good at Wizard's chess. He's a professional curser, and is often scolded by Hermione for sprinkling in one too many foul words. 

Ron is the sixth of seven Weasley children, and the youngest son. Therefore he's not only "The King" on the Quidditch pitch but also the king of hand-me-downs. He's your standard grade Weasley: Flame red hair, fair skin, and ample freckles. He has blue eyes and is described as "tall and lanky", although, in my book, 5'9 isn't particularly tall. Maybe I'm biased since I'm 5'10 and my 6'4 husband thinks I'm short. Ron often complains about all the maroon he's forced to wear, but it's actually oddly endearing against his ginger locks, and I secretly think he prefers it. He's going to be found wearing trainers, jeans, and comfy tees most of the time. In the winter he'll be bundled up under one of his mum's famous hand-knit Christmas sweaters. The only new things his parent's were ever been able to afford to give him are a new wand (to replace the one mangled by the Whomping Willow) as a reward for his bravery and his watch gifted on his 17th birthday (a traditional coming of age gift for wizards). 

Character Style: Hermione Jean Granger

Trying something new out today: Character Styles! For my first trip down this dangerous new rabbit hole of inspiration, I went with Hermione from the Harry Potter. Only fitting since I'm in the midst of my Harry Potter Book Style series. 

Hermione is whip-smart and shares my overwhelming need to impart her knowledge on the less informed. (I'm sorry, I know it comes off as being a bossy know-it-all, but we just can't help ourselves.) She's also always concerned for the welfare of innocents and less powerful magical creatures and believes in equality with a ferocity I admire. I think she would be a pretty fierce environmentalist, even if she doesn't natural gravitate towards Herbology. She's also, definitely, a bonafide #feministkilljoy!

Physically, she has a rather unruly head of brown curls that she often wears loose or restrains in a braid. For special occasions she has been known to go through the effort of straightening it out into sleek updo's. Her brown eyes are usually buried in a book; the library is one of her favorite haunts. She's more concerned with studies than fashion, so her (off-duty) wardrobe is a mix of casual basics. Comfy t-shirts, oversized sweaters and hoodies. Denim and practical footwear. When she does dress up, for the Yule Ball or Bill & Fleur's wedding, she favors shades of lilac and periwinkle and stuns in simple silhouettes and jewelry. She would, of course, always have a watch on her, can't be late after all. I've never pictured Hermione being particularly fussed about makeup, either. Natural look at most. She's definitely always got a book on her, though. 

Book Style: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

For the third Potter book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, I wanted to do a lady-Sirius. As flawed as Sirius is as a character - I mean he makes Harry look like a downright calm, rational planner - I do still love and feel for him. The sacrifices he made out of loyalty to James are heart-wrenching. This outfit is less Sirius-post-Azkaban and more how I imagine a teenage girl version of Sirius would dress!

Of course I stuck with the motorcycle aesthetic. We have to annoy mum somehow! A pair of skinnies in "Grim Shadows Grey" tuck right into a pair of "Remus" boots. On top we'll toss on a witches tee under a "Shaggy Dog" sweater. Slip into a rebelliously bright motorcycle jacket and cinch your waist with a "Prisoner" belt before we move on and discuss accessories. 

A "Sirius" bracelet for your wrist and a rat ring for your fingers. "Moon Phase" earrings will add a bit of sparkle to your ears while a stag necklace will show the whole school where your true loyalties lie. Lacquer up your nails with "Shattered Souls" gold glitter polish and grab a "Stag" bag to hold all your books contraband and the marauders' map. Now off to the Shrieking Shack you go, Lupin is waiting for his pals.

Book Style: Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

For Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets I knew I wanted to focus on Ginny. Because Ginny is the best and the movies do her no justice. Ginny survived being possessed by Voldemort. Ginny is a super talented witch. Ginny doesn't let anyone tell her what to do. Team Ginny! Sorry, I get excited about my favorite Weasley. Basically, this is a look I can picture Ginny rocking at school. 

For the outfit let's start with some Gryffindor panties first, then toss on a vibrant, phoenix-red mini skirt with a comfy, oversized "Ginny" sweater. Pull on some over-the-knee Hogwarts crest socks because socks are very important to this story. *sniff* Dobby *sniff*. Finally, pull on a pair of "Elf" booties and grab your car handbag before the Whomping Willow gets to it.

Moving onto accessories we have a phoenix phone case, naturally. A spider watch on your wrist, a diary key necklace and a toilet necklace (I'm sorry, but I'm so in love with this one) around your neck, a pair of broomstick earrings dangling from your ears, and a Slytherin-worthy snake ring complete the look.

Anybody else share my love of Ginny? Do you hate movie Ginny as much as I do? Does anyone else think Bonnie Wright made an adorable younger Ginny but didn't really grow into the role well?

Book Style: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

I don't know if I've ever discussed just how much of a Potterhead I am. Like full-fledged obsessed. I read the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone the summer between my junior and senior year of high school while on vacation. Our family friends' granddaughter's copy was lying about and I picked it up out of boredom and I didn't put it back down until I'd read the final lines. I was hooked. I managed to read the next 3 books by borrowing them from various children in my life (usually my cousin's step-kids). By that time, I was caught up and waiting for the next publication dates. My anxiety doesn't allow for midnight release chaos, but I was at Barnes & Noble each of the following weeks consuming too many danishes, bagels and coffees as I read through the fresh hardcovers. For those of you who may poo-poo reading books in a bookstore for free, I took immaculate care of the books, never stained, creased or bent the spines (that's why I only read hardcovers this way) and I did eventually buy the boxed set! Anyways. I love this series and have recently been doing yet another reread of it. I'm currently in the middle of Half Blood Prince and I have been reminded why that film infuriates me with 1) How many plot points got changed or omitted and 2) What they did to my strong, fierce Ginny... grrr. All this blather is my way of introducing a new Book Style series on the Potter books. Gotta have something to occupy myself until November and the release of Fantastic Beasts!

Okay onto the outfit. Toss a Hogwarts tee under your very own Gryffindor Quidditch varsity jacket. Slip into a pair of "Harrys" distressed skinny jeans and slide your feet into a pair of Gryffindor socks and a pair of "Wizard" boots. A Gryffindor headband will keep those untamed Hermione-esque curls in check and this adorable "Owl Post" clutch is the perfect place to stash your invisibility cloak or wand. For jewelry we have a Gryffindor charm necklace, a "Wizardly" onyx bracelet, a beautiful pair of "Sorcerer" earrings, and, of course, A Golden Snitch ring.

Which of the books are you most excited to see an outfit for? I'm looking forward to Half Blood Prince when I can really break into the Slytherin colors! Being a Slytherin, myself, and all. 

Book List

Image via Luna!

If you know me, then you know of my love of the written word. I have been a hardcore book junkie since elementary school when I devoured the entire Little House on the Prairie series in a little over a month one winter and then progressed to ripping my way through Nancy Drews so quickly that my mother had to actually ration out the purchase of the 3-book-sets they sold at (what is now) Costco. I have been an avid reader for years; cereal boxes, shampoo bottles, TV Guides, any magazine in the doctor's waiting room. I don't do aimless sitting well. And as much as I love TV and movies and video games, I will ultimately retire to my bedroom to curl up with a mug of something hot and my current book. My wonderful husband has graciously adapted to my most introverted habit over the course of our 2 1/2 years together, and is even turning into a book junkie himself; although his genres of preference rarely overlap with mine. Our dream home will contain a very substantial library someday since we both prefer to own actual paper books opposed to the digital variety; and while I am a huge user of both library books and Barnes & Noble's rather generous lounge-around-and-read-for-free policy I absolutely must own my favorites.

I'm also partial to book series. I imagine this is the result of becoming so invested in the characters that I hate to say goodbye. I always want to know what happens next. So without further ado, here are some of my favorite book series:

Harry Potter: If you could see my copies you would have no question about how much I love these books. I have reread the entire series at least 6 times now. Also, the film series is probably one of the best book-to-film adaptation I have ever seen.

Mary Russell: I love all things Sherlock Holmes, and when I stumbled across the first book in this series on a sale table, I was hooked. Mary Russell is a brilliant young woman coming of age during the Great War in southern England who happens to, literally, stumble across the great detective. Their relationship and cases are the subject of these books. Laurie R. King does an excellent job of staying true to the essence of Holmes and of writing the books true to Russell's voice. Ms. King is still writing new additions to this collection too!

Lord of the Rings/ The Hobbit: Confession, I had read the Hobbit prior to seeing Peter Jackson's most excellent adaptation of The Fellowship in theaters, so I had an idea of Middle Earth, but I did not pick up a copy of the trilogy until after the second film was already on its way to DVD. Tolkien created a whole new world with this series which is rich in languages, peoples, histories, and settings all of its own. If you've only seen the films, you are depriving yourself of so much more if you don't read the originals.

The Parasol Protectorate: This is a new series for me, and one I'm still reading my way through. It's a bit more campy than my usual choices, but with vampires, werewolves, Queen Victoria, steampunk and a good dose of mystery I can't resist. Gail Carriger is a very witty writer, a fact that is evident just from reading her author bio, and these books are definitely ones I'm thrilled to have discovered.

The Looking Glass Wars: This is a three book series based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It's an alternate reality/fantasy that focuses on the adult Alyss (as it is correctly spelled) who finds herself removed from the protection of Victorian British society to return to her rightful place on the royal throne in an alternative dimension and the ensuing battle for power with her Aunt Redd. If you love all things Alice like I do, then you must check out this series by Frank Beddor.

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What are some of your favorite series? Have you read any of these?