Friday, November 6, 2015

Review thoughts for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) 
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1)
 
by J.K. Rowling 


Genre(s): Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 310
Published June 1997
Publisher: Scholastic  and Bloomsbury 


Official Summary:   "Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who are mean to him and make him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. (Dudley, however, has two bedrooms, one to sleep in and one for all his toys and games.) Then Harry starts receiving mysterious letters and his life is changed forever. He is whisked away by a beetle-eyed giant of a man and enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard! The first book in the "Harry Potter" series makes the perfect introduction to the world of Hogwarts."
 
 
 
 
Review:  This is one of my all-time favorite series! I had actually first heard of the series when a friend of mine was reading the Prisoner of Azkaban and was trying to describe a dementor to me. From there I did some looking into the book to discover it was a series. The day before I flew out to visit my grandparents my dad bought me the first book to read on the flight. By the time the flight was over I had devoured the book! I have since read it several times and have yet to tire of it, and each time I read it, I take a little more with me.

I think just about everyone has heard about the books by now which is why I am not focusing so much on plot and characters. We've all heard about them. Instead, I want to share mostly the overall feel the book leaves you with.

The world of Harry Potter has to be one of the most engaging concepts I have ever read. Envigorating and rich. Magic and adventure lovers should not miss this book. Honestly one book I think everyone should read at least once is this.

Saying you've seen the movie does not do it justice. There are so many details you'll miss this way. From how they celebrate holidays with Wizard Crackers to the fantastically annoying Peeves the Poltergiest of Hogwarts (still mad he is not in the movies). While the films are good, the book is so much more!

I think just about everyone has heard about the books by now which is why I am not focusing so much on plot and characters. We've all heard about them.

The story is real enough we can all relate. We've all read stories about good vs evil and this is no exception. But the originality that goes into the world building changes everything! Not to mention the imperfect heroes. Harry Potter is not some grand, perfect student. me makes mistakes, break rules, and is overall average as a student. His friends and even enemies have their own strengths and weaknesses as well.

Yet relatable as the characters are, the magical world is one so fantastical I hate leaving it. This is one of the best 'escape' from reality books. And a great mood lifter as well.For older kids, teens and adults of all ages! People of all backrounds can enjoy this book. So if you haven't read it, do so NOW!

First read: June 1999
Most recent re-read: Nov. 2015
Total re-reads: ?!?!? Several
 
 

4 comments:

  1. I agree with you. I love the films but the books have so much rich material that never made the big screen like Peeves, and the Weasley twins always getting up to something. The scenes in this book with Hagrid trying to train Norbert were so funny! This is my favourite ever series!

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  2. We've been listening to these on audio as a reread! Always love them!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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  3. I agree with you that everyone needs to read this series at least once (although every re-read does add to the enjoyment of the series). I first heard of Harry Potter when my brother was reading the newly released Goblet of Fire, and I read all four of the first four books in four days, then had to wait for each book to be released after that. I made my husband read the series after we got married, and he enjoyed it just as much as I did.

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  4. I agree this is a great series! I first started reading them when my nieces and nephews were hooked on them, and I'm so glad that they started me on them! I think the movies add to the magic by creating the wonderful worlds, but I agree the books have more depth and details.

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