“Cursed Child” Script Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year
Even though it’s only in a rehearsal form, as the end of the year approaches, the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child script, which was released on July 31, has appeared on two award shortlists already. When it was released, we celebrated all over the world with midnight release parties, celebrating the next chapter in the Harry Potter universe, and since then, the script has sold millions of copies.
The script is one of six to be featured on the Waterstones Book of the Year shortlist. The only play text to make the shortlist, the script is described as,
the unexpected addition to the Harry Potter canon.
The other titles on the shortlist include one novel (The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry), the rediscovered Beatrix Potter story (The Tale of Kitty-In-Boots), and three non-fiction books. The titles are chosen by Waterstones booksellers, and the winner will be chosen by a panel, headed by Waterstones Managing Director, James Daunt.
On the selection, Daunt said,
Our booksellers time and again nominate a highly eclectic list. This year only the inclusion of the de factor [sic] patron saint of booksellers, J K Rowling, was predictable. Praise be to her, but I encourage all to look closely at the other wonderful books we shortlist. Amongst so much excellent publishing this year, readers may have missed the lightly written, breathtakingly beautiful Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts (Allen Lane); Sarah Perry’s gripping novel; the wise and moving When Breath Becomes Air (Vintage); Quentin Blake’s evergreen magic; and for me, most arresting of all, the quiet power of The Optician of Lampedusa (Allen Lane). Booksellers have a sharp eye for the exceptional, and those at Waterstones have thrown into the hat some absolute gems.
The prize will be awarded on December 1.
Meanwhile, the script has also reached the semi-finals of the Goodreads Choice Awards, voted for by readers. Voting for the semi-finals will run until November 13, and the voting for the finals will take place between November 15-27.
You can vote for the script here, in the Best Fantasy category.
Let us know your thoughts – does the text deserve to be on these shortlists? Do you think it will win Waterstones Book of the Year?
