P is for Potter... (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Audio CD))

Member Name: mithrandir

Product:	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Audio CD)
Date:	25/03/01 (163 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny style of writing, very well read-out audiobook implementation

Disadvantages: Still aimed at kids, not really worth the hype

Apparently, I’ve been listening to another audiobook than the one presented here. My version, from the Listening Library, is called ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerers’ Stone’. The contents are the same (I guess), but somehow the title is not. Also, it is not read out loud by Stephen Fry, but a voice, similar to that of Richard Burton of ‘War of the Worlds’, but a bit more on the light side.

I’ll continue as of this is the correct audiobook, but keep this in mind.

By now, everyone has at least heard about the Harry Potter craze, and therefore I thought it became time I at least tried it out to form my own opinion. I got the audiobook of the first book, and tried it out. At first, you might be put off a bit, the start is not really the best part of the book. But when you get past that, it becomes much more ‘readable’. The book is told from the perspective of Harry Potter, and it therefore is therefore also limited to whatever he sees of the world surrounding him. Together with him, you’ll wonder on times whether he’ll be expelled or rewarded, feel lost when wandering in the corridors of the Wizzards’ school, be happy when he gets points for his school, and feel mistreated when Snape (a bad wizard, jou can spot him from miles away) deducts point for no apparent reason.

However, don’t expect a literal masterpiece. Whatever the hype is all about, it is still a book aimed at kids. Adults can enjoy it, but only if they have the ability to change their mindset to that of a youngster.

For me, that was no problem, because although I am 31 years old and pretend to be very grown-up, in heart I’m probably still in my puberty or something, enjoying pinball and videogames. I enjoyed the audiobook very much, even so much that I decided to go and buy the original book. (and probably the others in the series as well). The texts are read aat a nice spead, and well pron
ounced. I could easily follow the book, only having to rewind a part if I was distracted fr some reason. This is even more amazing, since Dutch is my mother language (as being from the Netherlands), and shows the quality of the tapes.

I don’t have any kids yet, but at least I have some books to read to them when they arrive. (Remember, kids are the best reason to have fun with kid’s stuff yourself!) If you keep in mind that this is a kids’ book, and steer clear of the enormous hype surrounding this series, you might very well enjoy it. If you read it just to be part of the hype though, you might be disappointed (a bit) be cause you them probably lack the correct mindset for it.

Summary: