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
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Quality of Reader, not quality of book. Comment: The problem suffered by the Harry Potter 'Saga' isn't that they are particularly poorly written books, nor that they are better or worse than 90% of the mush that counts for children's literature. The problem is that they are not loved because of the stories but simply because they are read.
What I mean is, before Harry Potter came along, many of my friends, relatives and aquaintances didn't really read anything. They bought in to the media hype about these books and so decided to give them a go, unfortunately they have mistaken a love of reading with the love of what they've read. These same friends and aquaintances have to this day read nothing other than Mr Potter, they see it as the be all and end all of literature, which is sad really.
One last thing, this is a childrens book. There's nothing wrong with enjoying one and if you are above the age of 14 and want to read it then fine but do me a favour. Don't buy the one with the 'grown up' cover. It really is rather pathetic. Customer Rating: Summary: THE BEST HARRY POTTER BOOK Comment: This is the best Harry Potter book by far. Once you have read all of them watched the films, if you come back to Philosphers Stone and you read about the beginging you will probably agree with me.
Its the first time at Hogwarts, when he meets Ron Weasley and gets a broom stick.
Customer Rating: Summary: A great escape Comment: This (the first in the series), or any other Harry Potter book for that matter, needs no introduction. Once you've followed Harry to Hogworts and back during his first term, you'll be coming back for more time and time again! Its one of those books which you wish will never end - its that magical. Say what you will about J K Rowling (and lots of people do!), but theres no denying she does write exceedingly good books! Customer Rating: Summary: Spectacular Comment: this is only one of the harry potter books.if you liked this you should read the rest.th ewhaole collection is utterly fantastic.brought me into the stoty straight from the start! Customer Rating: Summary: And from here it all began ... Comment: All credit to Joanne Rowling. This is the book that launched a global phenomenon and should be on the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in children's literature or classic stories.
As for the book, yes, it's very good - however, I don't think it's brilliant. Writing your first novel is a mammoth undertaking and in this book JK sets out the parameters for what was to be developed and built upon in the later novels.
This novel probably inspired thousands more to do the same and finally write the book that germinated in their mind for so long. I should know, as I'm one of those people. My first book is now for sale on Amazon etc, and it may not have happened if this book had simply been lost in the slush pile of every major publisher and agent.
