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.
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)
A great start to what became a great experience reading the series with my wife and oldest daughter over the next three years.
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…