Classic
4 stars
A great start to what became a great experience reading the series with my wife and oldest daughter over the next three years.
Paperback, 309 pages
English language
Published Aug. 15, 2008 by Scholastic.
4 stars
(30 reviews)
Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He's never worn a cloak of invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.
But all that is about change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter. (back cover)
Paul reviewed Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling (Harry Potter, #1)
Review of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Although they came out at about the right age for me to read them on first publication, I never picked up the Potter books until I was an adult and noticed annoying gaps in the films (nothing major, but little bits that seemed unexplained or missing). My sisters insisted that I read the books and suddenly everything made a lot more sense - especially the final two films.
Whilst it’s not my favourite of the series, I’ve re-read The Philosopher’s Stone recently and bumped it up from three to four stars. It’s not the greatest work of literature - the later books improve and get a bit deeper with character development and backstory - but it’s an enjoyable and easy read that I can get through in a few evenings.
Like many readers, I’ve pondered which house I would be sorted into. I’d like to think Ravenclaw but pretty much …
Although they came out at about the right age for me to read them on first publication, I never picked up the Potter books until I was an adult and noticed annoying gaps in the films (nothing major, but little bits that seemed unexplained or missing). My sisters insisted that I read the books and suddenly everything made a lot more sense - especially the final two films.
Whilst it’s not my favourite of the series, I’ve re-read The Philosopher’s Stone recently and bumped it up from three to four stars. It’s not the greatest work of literature - the later books improve and get a bit deeper with character development and backstory - but it’s an enjoyable and easy read that I can get through in a few evenings.
Like many readers, I’ve pondered which house I would be sorted into. I’d like to think Ravenclaw but pretty much everyone else says Slytherin…
