Potty about Potter (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J. K. Rowling)

Member Name: msvforb

Product:	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J. K. Rowling
Date:	11/08/09 (28 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great story.

Disadvantages: None

When Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was first published in 1997 I was eighteen and had no kids so I was hardly its target audience but that didn't stop me reading and enjoying the book and becoming something of a Harry Potter fan, I've since read all the books and seen all the films that have been released so far but I haven't picked this one up in a while and so when it caught my eye over the weekend I decided it might be nice to reread it.

Unless you've been living in a cupboard under the stairs for the last 12 years, chances are you have at least heard of the phenomenon that is Harry Potter even if you haven't read the books or seen the films. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (published as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the USA) is the first in a series of seven books written by J K Rowling and published by Bloomsbury between 1997 and 2007 about the life of Harry Potter a young wizard who finds himself the centre of a series of events that could change the wizarding world forever.

The blurb:

"Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by a beetle-eyed giant of a man, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The Reason: HARRY POTTER IS A WIZARD!"

The appeal:

It's hard to say why this series of books has so captured the imagination of readers all over the world. Whilst in some people's opinion it might not be up there with the great works of literature this book is undeniably a thumping good read, an inspiring story of good versus evil and just generally good fun to read.

My thoughts:

Having read all the books in the series previously, on re reading it's easy to see how this first book was really just an introduction to Harry's world and the story which would develop. That said the first novel is a great read in its own right and sees Harry discovering that he is a wizard and spending his first year at Hogwarts where he and his friends find themselves on a quest to find out about the philosopher's stone and to save it from getting into the wrong hands.

Unlike some of the later books in the series this book definitely seems to be more aimed at children than readers in general. Whilst still being full of adventure the book is nowhere near as dark or complicated as some of the books that come later and can easily be read by some younger readers without any input from an adult.

One thing that I will always love about this book is that it's introduced so many kids to the love of reading who might not have developed that otherwise. I've read this book with several of the kids in my life and it's been a hit with them all.

The book which is 223 pages long in its paperback form is available as a paperback, hardback or audiobook and has been released in several special editions including one with a different cover designed to appeal to adults.

Summary: Written for children but can be enjoyed by all.