Title- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Author- JK Rowling
Series- Harry Potter
Published- 1997
Page Count- 223 (Original UK Hardcover)
Publishing House- Bloomsbury
Rating- 5/5 stars
Rating- 5/5 stars
About the Author
There is a lot of information about JK Rowling on her website, so I've picked the key bits for this section.
Jo conceived the idea of Harry Potter in 1990 while sitting on a delayed train from Manchester to London King’s Cross. Over the next five years, she began to map out all seven books of the series. She wrote mostly in longhand and gradually built up a mass of notes, many of which were scribbled on odd scraps of paper.
To read more, here is a link to JK Rowling's website.
Plot
Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.
Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.
Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations and countless exciting details, the first instalment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.
After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.
Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.
Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations and countless exciting details, the first instalment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.
Taken from Goodreads.
Opinions
I would just like to preface this by saying I've kept it no secret that I love Harry Potter. I randomly decided to reread the series as I was in a reading slump and it just felt right. It's been years since I properly reread them and took in all that amazingness that is the Wizarding World. It was so good to be back at Hogwarts with Harry, Ron and Hermione and I definitely think this is one of my favourite re-reads.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone may be twenty years old, but it doesn't feel like it. It feels so relevant today and always feels relevant no matter the age of the reader. There is a character for everyone in it and there is something for everyone in it. I have fond memories of reading this series with my parents when I was first getting into reading. These books hold such a special place in my heart and I wouldn't be the person I am without them.
While some may say, the Harry Potter series is for children, it isn't. If you look closely at the language, Rowling never treats her audience as children. I remember reading this and feeling very grown up when I was younger. The world building is on the same level as JRR Tolkien or George RR Martin. The magical system is easy enough for a child to follow and Rowling never treats her audience as though they are idiots.
I love that the first chapter doesn't immediately introduce you to the title character. The first characters we meet in this story are those we come to hate for their treatment of Harry. The first chapter of PS (Philosopher's Stone) is some of the most iconic (to me) pieces of literature. I'm pretty sure I could recite you the first paragraph if I tried really hard.
One thing that shocks me about this most recent re-read is all the new things I've picked up on. For example, even though the Dursely's have shown him nothing but abuse, Harry never questions it or seems to be ungrateful for what he's got. Even as a 10-year-old boy, he seems (to an extent), content with his lot and never retaliates even though the Dursely's literally lock him in a cupboard. All of this makes the introduction of Hogwarts more precious from Harry's perspective as it's the first time he's felt at home.
Rubeus Hagrid is one of the most precious characters in the series and he deserves so much more than he gets. He defends this boy he's known about his whole life and never makes him feel like an outsider. He accepts him with open arms and shows him love for the first time. Hagrid, while he does make some questionable decisions, always has the best interest of those at heart. He never complains when he has to explain the magical world to Harry and buys him a loyal pet because he can.
Harry's first journey to Hogwarts has to be one of my favourite journeys throughout the series. It's where he meets his best friends, Ron and Hermione. You also get to see Harry finally making friends and doing all the things he wanted to do, but couldn't because Dudley wouldn't let him have friends. It does make me happy that Harry stands up to Draco and his cronies, but I do think Harry acted a bit too hastily and could have had a loyal friend in Draco for much longer. Draco is only cruel to Harry because Harry refused to shake his hand and say politely that he didn't want to be friends.
I wish the Hogwarts sorting hat had made it into the movies because I would have loved to have seen how they would have done it. It's where you learn the key traits of each of the houses and I feel as though that's never really explained in the movies. Whilst on the subject of houses and sorting, I must confess that I really don't like the Hogwarts sorting system. How can you turn to an 11-year-old and tell them what qualities they'll have for the rest of their lives? If you look at the Golden Trio, you will spot a bit of each house in them, especially in Hermione.
I think for a first book in such an epic series, this book really does build the world up beautifully. It's also very whimsical, every time I read it I feel all cosy and happy because it feels as though I am at home. Also, you feel excitement when Harry does. It does feel as though you are embarking on this journey together.
Quidditch in this book is one of the most excitable in the series. You really enjoy it from both Harry's perspective as a Seeker and Ron and Hermione in the crowd. Again, it does feel as though you are learning about Quidditch alongside Harry. Something that I thought was odd was the commentating aspect of Quidditch. As much as I love Lee Jordan, wouldn't it have been better to have a non-biased character as the referee?
There are a few problematic plot related things in this book such as the fact that it's stated fairly obviously that Hagrid wants a dragon and then he just gets one? Also, surely the safest place to hide an object such as the Philosopher's Stone isn't the same place that hundreds of kids go to school? It just doesn't make sense that Dumbledore, the greatest wizard that ever lived, would hide such a precious and well sought after object in a school. The Philosopher's Stone doesn't seem that well protected if 3 under 13 year-olds can get it out and yet a fully trained wizard struggled to.
The ending of this book is so beautiful as Harry finally understands he can stand up to the Dursley's. This boy has come so far in this one book and deserves so much better. He understands at 11 years-old that if his death can prevent Lord Voldemort from coming back, then he will gladly give up his life. Basically, if you can't tell, I really love Harry Potter in this moment and think he deserves the great friends he has found at Hogwarts.
Honestly, this review could go on forever, so here are some of my favourite scenes that deserve a mention:
Harry's first journey to Hogwarts has to be one of my favourite journeys throughout the series. It's where he meets his best friends, Ron and Hermione. You also get to see Harry finally making friends and doing all the things he wanted to do, but couldn't because Dudley wouldn't let him have friends. It does make me happy that Harry stands up to Draco and his cronies, but I do think Harry acted a bit too hastily and could have had a loyal friend in Draco for much longer. Draco is only cruel to Harry because Harry refused to shake his hand and say politely that he didn't want to be friends.
I wish the Hogwarts sorting hat had made it into the movies because I would have loved to have seen how they would have done it. It's where you learn the key traits of each of the houses and I feel as though that's never really explained in the movies. Whilst on the subject of houses and sorting, I must confess that I really don't like the Hogwarts sorting system. How can you turn to an 11-year-old and tell them what qualities they'll have for the rest of their lives? If you look at the Golden Trio, you will spot a bit of each house in them, especially in Hermione.
I think for a first book in such an epic series, this book really does build the world up beautifully. It's also very whimsical, every time I read it I feel all cosy and happy because it feels as though I am at home. Also, you feel excitement when Harry does. It does feel as though you are embarking on this journey together.
Quidditch in this book is one of the most excitable in the series. You really enjoy it from both Harry's perspective as a Seeker and Ron and Hermione in the crowd. Again, it does feel as though you are learning about Quidditch alongside Harry. Something that I thought was odd was the commentating aspect of Quidditch. As much as I love Lee Jordan, wouldn't it have been better to have a non-biased character as the referee?
There are a few problematic plot related things in this book such as the fact that it's stated fairly obviously that Hagrid wants a dragon and then he just gets one? Also, surely the safest place to hide an object such as the Philosopher's Stone isn't the same place that hundreds of kids go to school? It just doesn't make sense that Dumbledore, the greatest wizard that ever lived, would hide such a precious and well sought after object in a school. The Philosopher's Stone doesn't seem that well protected if 3 under 13 year-olds can get it out and yet a fully trained wizard struggled to.
The ending of this book is so beautiful as Harry finally understands he can stand up to the Dursley's. This boy has come so far in this one book and deserves so much better. He understands at 11 years-old that if his death can prevent Lord Voldemort from coming back, then he will gladly give up his life. Basically, if you can't tell, I really love Harry Potter in this moment and think he deserves the great friends he has found at Hogwarts.
Honestly, this review could go on forever, so here are some of my favourite scenes that deserve a mention:
- Halloween and Ron and Harry saving Hermione.
- Harry's first proper Christmas and the Mirror of Errised.
- Hagrid letting go of Norbert.
- Neville standing up to Draco.
- Hermione and Harry solving the potions puzzle.
So that concludes my review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Tomorrow I will be posting my review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Let me know your opinions on the Harry Potter series!
Carenza x
