It is perhaps a little surprising, that someone such as myself - self proclaimed Harry Potter nut - has yet to review anything Potter related. This is because I love this series so much, I'm not sure my reviews could do the books justice. However, with less than a month to go before Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I think the time is right to try and persuade those who have not read any Harry Potter, that this is something they need to read!
**Blurb**
"Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by an owl, taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The Reason : HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD!"
**Plot** (minor spoilers)
If you don't know the story of Harry Potter, then you have perhaps been living on the moon for the past ten years. Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy, until one day mysterious letters start to arrive. His overbearing Aunt and Uncle don't want him to read the letters, and so do all that is in their power to stop him from reading them. The opening of the book pulls you immediately into the story,
leaving you curious as to why Harry is receiving letters from no one, who is sending them, and just why the Dursley's don't want him to read them.
Pretty soon, the answers to these mysteries are revealed, and we find out that Harry is a wizard, and that he is to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. What follows is a magical story, full of twists and turns and loveable characters that will enthrall the reader. Highlights of the book include Harry meeting and befriending Ron Weasley, rescuing the know-it-all Hermione Granger from a troll, discovering that his Father has left him an invisibility cloak and much more.
You'll gasp with delight when you realise what the plot has been leading up to, and the final confrontation and climax of the book does not disappoint. I'm deliberatly not going into too much detail on the plot of the book, because it is incredibly complex, and if you haven't read it then I don't want to spoil it for you. It has been close to ten years since I first read The Philosopher's Stone, and I still enjoy re-reading it now.
Being the first book in the series, JK Rowling's writing is understandably less-refined than in some of the later books. The writing style is also quite simplistic, and seems to be aimed at a younger audience than say, The Half Blood Prince. It is also considerably shorter than the other books in the series, meaning it is a relatively quick read.
The finale of the book is fabulous, and leaves you wanting more - good thing that the following five books are already out!
**Characters**
The first chapter is told from an unknown PoV, following Professor Dumbledore and then Vernon Dursley, however throughout the rest of the book, it is Harry's PoV that we see. Harry Potter, the main character, without whom these books would not be the same. He is an interesting and complex character - an orphan, mistreated by his only surviving relatives. He just so happens to be a wizard, and is soon off to Hogwarts, where he has to deal with a lot more than your average eleven-year-old. Harry is one of my favourite literary characters, simply because there is so much to him. He's brave, intelligent, compassionate, and probably good-looking, so it is difficult not to like him. In this first book, we barely scratch the surface of Harry, however.
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are Harry's best friends. Ron is the loveable sidekick, slightly oafish but undeniably loyal. Hermione is the bookworm know-it-all, disliked by almost everyone until she keeps a secret for Harry and Ron. They are fabulously complex and well-rounded characters, forming the bottom two points of a triangle of which Harry is the top. In Philosopher's Stone, we learn a little about both of them, and it is enough to endear them to us, but there is still yet more to be found out.
Draco Malfoy is also introduced in this book, and from the off we see that he is not a nice character. He's immediately set against Harry as his rival, and this is a rivalry that continues throughout the series. He's the classic school bully with a rich and influential Father, and is detested by Harry, Ron and Hermione. He's a fabulous character, though.
If I were to mention every single character in this book, I'd be here all day. Throughout the book we meet, amongst others, the gigantic Hagrid, one of Harry's first friends; The evil Professor Snape, who seems only to want to make Harry's life a misery. Then there's "P-p-poor P-p-professor Qu-Quirrell", the nervous and quite weird Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, who has a big secret. Add into this the myriad of other Hogwarts students and Professors, and you have a cast of characters that are likely to stick with you for a long, long while.
For Harry Potter fans, here are a few of the best fansites:
Mugglenet: http://www.mugglenet.com The Hogwarts Experience: http://hogwarts-experience.heavenforum.com The Leaky Cauldron: http://the-leaky-cauldron.com
**Overall**
I would be very surprised to find that you haven't read, or at the very least heard of Harry Potter. This book is not the best in the series, but it introduces us to the magical world of Harry Potter, and as such it has a very special place in my heart. I defy you to read the book and not be enchanted by the wonders JK Rowling weaves.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Just when it seems that there cannot possibly be another twist to the Harry Potter tale, ... more
Stephen Fry dons his haughtiest and naughtiest tones to bring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to vibrant life on audio. Harry Potter has spent the first 1...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Just when it seems that there cannot possibly be another twist to the Harry Potter tale, ... more
Stephen Fry dons his haughtiest and naughtiest tones to bring Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to vibrant life on audio. Harry Potter has spent the first 1...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Great book that gets children reading, fires the imagination Disadvantages: Plot is dark for younger children, may be difficult to get into at first
Advantages: Great book that gets children reading, fires the imagination Disadvantages: Plot is dark for younger children, may be difficult to get into at first
exceptional by (6%):
very helpful by (94%):
