Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by JK Rowling
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The Philosopher’s Stone is the first book in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. These novels have made Rowling the most successful literary author of all time and have sold in excess of 375 million copies world-wide. The books are read by children and adults alike and have been made into hugely popular films. The seventh book in the series, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows is due out in June 2007.
Do the Harry Potter books live up to the hype? I have avoided reading them for almost 5 years now but have finally decided to read the series as it now stands and to see what all the fuss is about.
I began reading the Philosopher’s stone and was immediately struck by how good the humour was. You usually need to read Pratchett to be able to sustain constant laughter throughout a novel but J.K. Rowling has managed to infuse the book with a ready wit that will amuse both adults and children.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: The Vanishing Glass
There are characters in this book that will remind us of those people we have known and those that we still know. Everybody knows or knew a spoilt, overweight boy like Dudley or a bossy and interfering (yet kind-hearted) girl like Hermione. A large number of the younger readers will also be able to easily identify with Harry and especially his initial feelings of isolation and not belonging, and then through to his excitement at finally leaving that life behind in favour of one where he belongs and will be happy.
Harry is not alone on being overawed by his first day at Hogwarts and little prepares them for the majesty of the school.
There was a loud ‘Oooooh!”
The narrow path had opened suddenly on to the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: The Journey From Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
Hogwarts is a truly magical place, not only in terms of teaching wizards and witches, but also in the detail that the author has gone to describe it. It is the place that everybody wishes they could of gone to when they where eleven. Many adventures befall the trio (Harry, Ron & Hermione) at Hogwarts and the stone in the book's title is centre-piece to all that happens. The story builds well towards and exciting conclusion that has the ultimate feel-good factor.
J.K. Rowling should be commended for making reading once again fashionable for the young adult age group that had succumbed to the lures of video games and television. The biggest surprise may well have been the effect that this novel had on the adult population, both male and female. Many a commuting train full of world-wearing workers can be spotted with Harry Potter books that are providing a wonderful sense of escapism. This book should be highly recommended to anybody between the ages of 8 and 80.
Is all the hype about the Harry Potter books justified? In a word, yes, the books are a joy to read and possibly the most rewarding young adult’s book since [Professor Tolkien’s] The Hobbit.
Reader's opinions about Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Book 1) (Amazon.co.uk)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 224
Publication date: 1997-06-26
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
RRP: £6.99
Lowest new price: £1.39
Lowest used price: £0.01
Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand and jellybeans that come in every flavour, including strawberry, curry, grass and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J K Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In the non-magical human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is renowned as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoilt, pig-like cousin Dudley.
A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig ... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins.
This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave children clamouring for a sequel. (Ages 8-13) --Karin Snelson
From Amazon.co.uk
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Amazon.com)
Author: J. K. Rowling
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 224
Publication date: 2000-02
Publisher: Bloomsbury Pub Ltd
RRP: $9.95
Lowest new price: $4.00
Lowest used price: $0.01
Harry Potter is an ordinary boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs at his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's house, which he thinks is normal for someone like him who's parents have been killed in a 'car crash'. He is bullied by them and his fat, spoilt cousin Dudley, and lives a very unremarkable life with only the odd hiccup (like his hair growing back overnight!) to cause him much to think about. That is until an owl turns up with a letter addressed to Harry and all hell breaks loose! He is literally rescued by a world where nothing is as it seems and magic lessons are the order of the day. Read and find out how Harry discovers his true heritage at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, the reason behind his parents mysterious death, who is out to kill him, and how he uncovers the most amazing secret of all time, the fabled Philosopher's Stone! All this and muggles too. Now, what are they?
Product Description
Laura from England
"I love Harry Potter, I started reading it in primary school and I keep re-reading the whole series - it's amazing! I love the magic of it all, it's so unique. I must have read the series through at least 6 times now, and I don't get bored! They are brilliant. I love all the characters, they're so interesting. This book is just....wow! Not my favourite of the series but I still love it... I like it when they go through the trap door, it's hard to stop reading :)"
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