Episode 196: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

This week, Dietrich and Josh are joined by Laura Cato, a book blogger with a long history of Harry Potter love, and a former student of Josh's, to discuss the new Harry Potter release from JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It's a book that has a lot to overcome right from the jump, as it's a script posing as a novel, the followup to one of the most beloved franchises of all time, and a story that has to satisfy fans without falling into the fan-service trap. Josh talks about the difficulties the book seems to have with female characters, Laura discusses her feelings about Snape and the reason this book stumbled for her, and Dietrich talks about how to perceive some of the choices under the lens of a dramatic script. In addition, Laura talks about a book inspired by the Manson killings, Josh gushes about the latest release from David Mitchell, and Dietrich struggles to talk about a book that he loves without spoiling everything that makes it great.  If you have questions or comments, you can reach us at librarypolicequestions@gmail.com.

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What We've Been Reading

- Emma Cline, The Girls
- David Mitchell, number9dream
- Jeph Jacques, Questionable Content
- Blake Crouch, Dark Matter
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Non-Spoiler, Than Spoiler Discussion of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"

Off The Bookshelves

- Hollywood Handbook
- Pretty Little Liars
- The Tragically Hip​