So Many Damn Books discussion

A first for the show: only one of us read the book. And the other will never ever read it maybe EVER.

It's time to talk about "the eighth story" - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child! We don't #keepthesecrets but we do get INTO it about the merits of fan fiction, theater, Harry Potter fandom, and so on.

Update your iTunes or listen here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/somanydamnb...
And then tell us what YOU think about the whole #CursedChild jam.

Also, there's this twitter link to our poll, WHO IS RIGHT?:

https://twitter.com/SoManyDamnBooks/s...

Guys I'm sooooo far behind and still catching up but had to share my thoughts about this one. I think you are both right (sort of).

I was lucky enough to see the play in preview in July. And I've come back telling everyone that if you are ever going to see the play, wait for it and don't read the book first! (And also don't read spoilers!) And then, read it 100 million times after you've seen it.

There is so much about this story which is deeply about theatricality. just as how a novel is almost always better than a movie because there is a richness to prose - a story you can spend days reading that doesn't translate to a 3 hour film. The stage directions just don't adequately convey the feelings expressed on the stage.

For example, in the playbill, it didn't even tell you what characters would appear. It said Ron is played by and Harry is played by, but then "Other roles played by..." with a list of actors. So you don't even know what you are in for when you are sitting there. Even the way they change the set is special.

There's this unexpected moment that closes the first play, where ::stage directions:: and the lights go down and come back up, and for a beat you can feel the entire audience is holding their breath. Then there's this whoosh of breath and applause and chatter, and there is no way that can be conveyed on the page. And to not know that is going to happen was a privilege, and a blessing, and an honor, and every good word you can think of. I'm just sad I can never relive that feeling of sitting there, seeing this happen, and having no clue what I was in for. I have seen a fair bit of theater (probably not as much as Drew!) but still, I think this is my second favorite moment in theater ever.

And sure, after the high wore off we would say "ehhh not sure about that", etc., but now I feel lucky that I can go back to this book and relive that feeling. And obsessively stalk when the broadway tickets go on sale.

All that being said, I know how lucky I was to have the opportunity to go see it, and I still feel conflicted about the concept. One of the amazing things about Harry Potter is that you don't have to be fortunate to experience it. You can buy the books or movies or audio, you can borrow them from a public or school library, you can see the films for free on tv or at a community event, you can get them at a yard sale, or you can borrow from a friend. Now here's this stunning part of the narrative that by its nature can never include everyone who wants to be a part of it, no matter how many productions are staged. So then the script is necessary and everyone should read it but oh man, if you are able, restrain yourself and wait for it!

Margaret! Dang! What a great post. Such interesting insight.

On the other side of the coin, I didn't listen to a lick of Hamilton before I went and saw it. Now, I had a tremendous experience and loved that show. But I wonder if I should have listened to the soundtrack beforehand, so that I could have had the experience of the songs first, imagining the show, and then seeing the show, and having another completely new experience.

So along those lines, I'm glad to have had the experience of reading the script, and I think it will only enhance my watching of the show, if that day ever occurs.

Thanks again for writing this all out for us Margaret!