Not just for kids (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J. K. Rowling)

Member Name: the_nomad

Product:	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J. K. Rowling
Date:	10/10/01 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good

Disadvantages: Not challenging

Anyone who thinks that the Harry Potter books are purely for Chrildren couldn't be more wrong!

I will admit that I picked up Harry Potter & The Philosophers Stone as an "in between" book - I had been reading a lot of crime fiction (Minette Walters, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson) at the time, and wanted something easy to read to give myself a break. The Prisoner of Azkaban had only recently come out so the hype hadn't really reached full pitch yet, and there had been no mention of a film! But I saw guy around my age reading it on a train and thought to myself - why not! I haven't looked back since.

I couldn't put it down and stayed up well into the wee hours to finish it! Everything within the book is compelling - the characters, the settings - everything! By the end of it you find yourself wondering if witches & wizards really exist (its like the feeling you get on Christmas Eve when for one tiny moment you wonder if there really is a Santa Claus!)

The Philosophers Stone has a well thought out plotline, which in turn forms part of the bigger picture that will be the whole set of books. Right from book one you begin to wonder how it will all end, you assume good - but from some of the twists and turns introduced in the following books, you begin to question this, and I truly believe that you won't know for sure until you have read the last page in the final book. One things for sure - it will be exciting, and it will leave you wanting more - but JK Rowling has already confirmed that she only intends to write the seven books that cover Harry's time at Hogwarts (this could suggest an untimely demise for Harry in his last year at Hogwarts - but who knows!).

Within the wide range of Characters there is a favourite for everyone - although Harry is of course predominantly the hero, this wouldn't be possible without his supporting cast of friends and enemies and it is wrong to assume that he is
the best character. My personal favourite is Ron, and I even have friends that give Draco Malfoy their vote!

I have of course since read all the books - over and over (I have found that by reading them again I have picked up on things that didn't seem important first time round - but link to something that happens later)

Anyone who is tempted to read it but is put off by the fact that it is a childrens book - give it a try. I dont know a single person who hasn't enjoyed it.

Summary: