Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

I read this book when my kids were very young and I’ve watched the movie lots of times. Rereading the story has been such a wonderful experience, the details and story touched me in a different way. Can’t wait to read the next book.

I resisted reading this book for a long time, thinking that it would be 'too childish' to hold my interest. Then, one night back in 2007, I happened to be at my local Barnes & Noble during the midnight release party for Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, the last book in the series. Seeing the enthusiasm of all the fans gathered there (some of whom were in full costume) made me curious, so I wended my way through the crowd (in the process wondering what "The Sorting Hat" was all about) and approached the first free cashier I could find, the first book in my hands. I was suddenly eager to discover what all the fuss was about! Well, as they say, the rest is history. I not only promptly devoured Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but began acquiring, and also devouring, the sequels. I only stopped in the middle of the sixth book, when a very sad event made me unable to continue....but I hope to be able to go back and finish the series! I picked up the first book the other day, and plunged into Harry's magical world once again. Once again, I was totally delighted and enthralled! Rowling's very fertile imagination seems to have no bounds; all the books in this series are full of magical events, as well as twists and turns, and one just never knows exactly what is going to happen next. Rowling also has the uncanny ability to make her characters, as well as the magical world around them, seem so real! From the very first moment, the reader becomes immersed in this very quirky, wonderfully weird world, where nothing is as it seems, unexpected surprises await, and household chores can be accomplished by the mere wave of a wand (something I positively loved). Harry, Hermione, and Ron are wonderful characters, and it's not the first time I have wished I had grown up with friends like them. It's great how well they mesh, too, especially since, at first, Harry and Ron constantly found Hermione so annoying. Harry, of course, is the main hero. He starts out life with the odds stacked against him, what with his sad personal history, and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" wanting to kill him. In spite of it all, Harry remains courageous, and will not let his curiosity, innate optimism, and eagerness to learn magic be dampened by outward events. Hermione could have been the main hero of this whole series, because she not only matches Harry (and her name is the female version of his) in all his great qualities, but is also willing to take that extra step to find out more. Books are very important to her, and I really liked her for that! She is also very thorough in her research, and has an excellent memory. Besides, she can really think on her feet. As for Ron, he is that friend who remains steadfastly by your side, through thick and thin. He's funny, as well, and willing to attempt any adventure, despite his fears. Besides, he's an excellent chess player -- even beating his two friends at the game. In this first book, his chess-playing skills become extremely important in preventing a great catastrophe. Then there's Hagrid....sweet, lovable, gentle Hagrid, who has a soft spot for creatures great and small, and loves Harry like a father, or perhaps a big, bumbling brother. He's pretty much like a giant teddy bear, and I SO wish I could hug him! He's had some rough times himself, but still remains as positive as he can possibly be. And, most important of all, Dumbledore, the Hogwarts Headmaster, trusts him completely. Dumbledore is another of my favorite characters, but I won't say much about him because he plays a greater role later on in the series. What I did get to see of him, though, during both my first and second readings of this book, made me like him a great deal! He is definitely a father figure to Harry -- always wise, patient, and willing to give Harry the benefit of the doubt. There were other great, more minor characters, as well, such as Professor McGonagall, who is really a very fair-minded person, despite her stern exterior, Quirrell, the stuttering professor, the funny Weasley clan, especially the mischievous twins, Fred and George, and Neville, poor, shy Neville, who is constantly losing his pet toad.... Then there's one character who is almost in a league by himself, and a rather hateful one, too: Severus Snape. Alan Rickman plays him superbly in all the movies. He gets the character's oily manner (his hair is even greasy) and incomprehensible attitude toward Harry just right. Rickman made it extremely easy for this reader to despise Snape! Even before I met him on the screen, though, Rowling had already succeeded in making me hate him. Another character I love to hate is Draco Malfoy, Harry's personal nemesis. I'm surprised he isn't related to Snape, because he can be just as spiteful and horrible to Harry. Amidst all of the typical boarding school activities and classes with such interesting names as "Potions", "Charms", "Transfiguration", and "Defense Against the Dark Arts", the three friends become very adept at amateur sleuthing, and uncover a secret at Hogwarts, one that students are not supposed to know about.... Of course, there had to be time for sports, as well, and I soon discovered that the magical world's version of soccer -- or is it a strange combination of soccer and basketball? -- with the delightfully odd name of "Quidditch", was not only great fun, but had elements of danger, as well, especially when a certain evil wizard nearly took one of the most important players out of the picture.... Rowling manages all the elements of her plot with great skill, leading her readers along the path toward the exciting, final discovery of the school's secret through tight writing, with not a word to spare. I especially liked Dumbledore's final words to Harry. It was the power of love, he told the young wizard, that won the day. Some readers might criticize this as 'cheesy', but I thought it was altogether fitting to the story, considering Harry's background. This is such a terrific story! No wonder it's loved the whole world over, by readers of all ages! This book definitely deserves all the praise it has garnered, and more. I know that I will want to read it many more times in the future! And of course, I will also want to watch the movie just as many times!

This is one of the best books I have read ever the books capture a level of detail, character depth, and magic that the movies simply couldn't fit on screen love the movies and can watch them a million and 1 times again but the book is just better the detail! 💜

I purchased this for my boyfriend so he could listen to books at work instead of music, and it has been one of the best gifts I've gotten him. He has told me he's listened to it at least 10 times already, which says a lot considering how many entertainment options are available these days. {And his normal preference is watching movies} What he loves most is the full cast narration. He says it makes the story feel incredibly immersive, almost like listening to a movie rather than a traditional audiobook. He talks about it constantly and has even started trying to convince friends and coworkers to give audiobooks a chance because of how much he enjoys this one. If you're a Harry Potter fan or you're looking for an audiobook that really pulls you into the story, this is definitely worth checking out. Our 16-year-old daughter has grown an interest in it as the first chapter fully captured her into the story too! I don't have any photos to share since it's an audiobook, but it has been a huge hit in our household.

Harry Potter looks like your ordinary eleven-year-old kid, and has it much worse than a typical one. Orphaned as a baby, Harry got stuck with his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley, plus his cousin Dudley, the most spoiled and horrible pig of a boy on the planet. With them, Harry leads a miserable existence, until one day an owl brings him a mysterious letter. What the letter contains opens an entirely new world for Harry, one that begins with this enchanting first book in the series. I came to the Harry Potter series quite late; I didn't read them as a kid due to the witchcraft controversy, and just never got around to it after that. I finally bought Sorcerer's Stone for my Kindle to see what all the fuss was about...and because, I admit, I've always wanted a little magic in my life in some form. J.K. Rowling does not disappoint. Her writing is geared toward children, so there are some things I would normally object to, such as telling over showing, narrative summary, and the use of adverbs to describe how people do and say things. But again, considering the audience, I'm inclined to let that stuff slide. The story itself is, as I mentioned, enchanting. Harry has the perfect pair of eyes through which to view Hogwarts for the first time. Reading this book felt like starting at a new school myself--everything is new and different, there are new friends and adversaries to meet, and adventure waits everywhere. J.K. Rowling does a beautiful job describing and presenting the Hogwarts environment. Harry, Ron, and Hermione deal with typical middle school stuff, such as strict teachers and school bullies. But how many other kids do you know who also bond over getting a mountain troll out of the girls' room? Playing a literally killer game of chess? Smuggling a dragon onto the school roof so it can be transported to safety? Each mini-adventure and plot point is excellently done. As for the characters, they're engaging and incite plenty of empathy. This is especially true and important for protagonist Harry. In the beginning, he naturally incites a lot of pathos, but this boy is not a victim. Once he gets his legs under him, and his self-esteem gets a needed boost, he becomes quite the little hero without being obnoxious about it. My favorite scenes definitely involve him standing up to Draco Malfoy, especially for other students like Neville. Ron gets a chuckle every now and then, although he's frustratingly impulsive at times. Basically, he's the kind of kid you just want to hug. As for Hermione, I can see her becoming one of my fictitious soul sisters. Like her, I was a diligent and perfectionist student, though I hope for my classmates' sake I wasn't quite that much of a know-it-all. Like Hermione, I also struggled with making friends, but those I have are friends for life. (I'm not gonna lie; I'm kind of mad and disappointed that this isn't the Hermione Granger series). J.K. throws in a couple of twists at the end; they're nothing an adult couldn't figure out, but they are enjoyable. I also loved the trio's final adventure as they searched for the Stone, particularly Hermione's talent at solving the logic puzzle. Other highlights for me included the Mirror of Erised, Harry's first Quidditch game against Slytherin, and Hagrid himself, a well-drawn secondary character. He sort of acts as Harry's fairy godfather...or should that be hairy godfather? For any parents who might be wondering about the witchcraft element: No worries. What's here is downright tame, if it exists at all. It's mostly kids waving wands around, changing matches into needles, and learning how to fly on broomsticks. The scene in the Forbidden Forest involves some talk of astrology and the slaying of a unicorn, but nothing too intense. Personally, I'm ready to put on my Ravenclaw robes, pick up my fictional wand (beechwood with unicorn core, 10.5 inches, slightly springy) and read the next book.

It’s been nearly 25 years since I first curled up in my grandfather’s easy chair as a 10-year old and was mystified by Mr. Dursley’s strange day. It was the start of Christmas vacation when I picked up Harry Potter by chance at a small bookshop in Pompano Beach. This was at the start of the mania in the U.S and only books 1-3 had been published. My mother and I arrived at my grandparent’s house around 3pm and I had finished the book by 11pm that night. My grandparents arrived home from a church function around 6pm and I barely acknowledged them. Which was wholly out of character for me. My mom explained to my grandmother that we had picked up a book on the way over and that it must be really good because of the expressions I was making. Around 9pm I remember my mom asked me how much I had left to read because she was going to bed. She told me to hurry up which was impossible because I was already turning the pages faster than my fingers could go. I finally finished a little before 11pm and my mom asked jokingly, “How was it?” I was beaming and I launched into the details immediately. My mother stopped me. “Don’t tell me anymore, off to bed so I can read it!” For a few days after that, my mom and I thought we were some of the few people who knew about Harry. The way the first book ends especially if you’re a child and don’t have a lot of experiences by that age with series. You might mistakenly think book1 is all there is. So I spent weeks of my Christmas vacation playing alone in my grandparent’s overgrown backyard pretending to be Harry Potter blissfully unaware more was yet to come. Christmas morning came and I don’t remember anything else I got that year. Because my grandma and mom had realized it was clearly a series. I still remember sitting on my knees in front of the Christmas tree and my grandmother saying “There’s a special gift from Santa just over there…” It was heavy and quite large. I ripped and saw bright green letters glinting. I saw two thick books. I jumped up from the floor (because I was a low-key kind of kid) book in hands and screamed, “Is this Harry!” I also received audiobooks 1and 2 as well. I ran to the guest bedroom with the old tape player and opened up Chamber of Secrets and hit play. I read along with every word. I skipped Christmas lunch and to my mother’s shock pumpkin pie as well. I finished Chamber of Secrets in the same day and read Azkaban over the rest of vacation since it was a good deal larger. My grandmother had preordered Goblet of Fire back when she bought my other two books. She relayed to my mother that her friend who ran the bookshop told her that it was expected to sell fast. Neither my mother or grandmother quite believed or understood the level to which Harry Potter was sweeping the nation. They made little comments like, “must be popular or something.” I always visited my grandparents for every break so when summer rolled around we were once again at the little mall food court above the bookshop. This tiny mall was nearly always empty and went out of business a few years later. My grandmother wanted to get something from JC Penney and my mom said “I’ll take her to pick up that book.” My mom and I walked a little past the escalators and my mom paused. “Let’s move past all these people” An elderly couple with grey hair wearing black robes turned around to look at my mother with a pleasant smile. “ Line starts here.” “Oh, I’m just taking my daughter to pick up her book.” The woman smiled. “Yes, Harry Potter?” “Yes!” I interjected. The elderly woman smiled at me. “But we preordered?” My mom said slowly. The elderly man laughed “Yeah so did we.” It started to dawn on my mom all at once. “You mean all these people are here for Harry Potter?” The elderly couple in front of us started discussing with other adults wearing cloaks the trip they had planned to the UK to see all the landmarks. My kid brain was overwhelmed. “Mom can we go to London too!” I said excitedly. My mom was now actively trying to discourage me from talking to the adults in cloaks. My grandma met up with us confused which was uncommon for her to be. She always knew what do and in this situation she charged forward toward the entrance (dinner was at 6 there wasn’t time for all this) and made a motion at her friend who owned the book shop. She returned quickly with my book and said, “Hide it let’s go!” And we left the line in a hurry! The rest is history as they say. It’s so nice to go back to my 10 year old self. Harry Potter still managed to suck me right back in after all these years.

Even years later, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone still feels special. This book is such a warm, inviting introduction to the wizarding world that it’s easy to see why it captured the imagination of so many readers around the world. The story is simple but powerful — an ordinary kid discovering he belongs to something extraordinary. J.K. Rowling’s writing is accessible without being childish, which makes it perfect for young readers while still enjoyable for adults. The world-building is effortless; Hogwarts, the characters, and the rules of magic unfold naturally without overwhelming the reader. What really stands out is the sense of wonder. Every chapter pulls you forward, whether it’s discovering Diagon Alley, attending the first feast at Hogwarts, or unraveling the mystery surrounding the Sorcerer’s Stone. The pacing is excellent, and the book never feels slow. Pros: • Instantly engaging and easy to read • Rich world-building without being confusing • Memorable characters from the very start • Great for both kids and adults Cons: • Simpler and lighter than later books (by design) Final verdict: This is one of those rare books that truly deserves its reputation. Whether you’re reading it for the first time or revisiting it years later, it still delivers magic, comfort, and adventure. A perfect start to an iconic series.

I'm only about halfway through the Audible book, but WOW. It is so good! I've read all the books at least twice and seen the movies multiple times, but it's been a while. Listening to the audio book is so much fun. I plan to listen to all of them.

It's really a classic history

My kid enjoyed reading this book

Super et livraison rapide

ハリー・ポッターシリーズを読むのが好きです。映画を見るよりも、小説を読んで自分の想像力でキャラクターたちの世界を感じる方が楽しいと思います。暇な時間に本を読むことをおすすめします。私は長い電車の旅には、ほとんどいつも持って行きます。

This is a really nice edition of the first Harry Potter book. The cover artwork looks beautiful and atmospheric, with vibrant colors and high-quality printing. The book itself is lightweight, the pages feel decent, and the font size is comfortable for longer reading sessions. I especially like that this is the original British version «Philosopher’s Stone» which makes it feel more authentic for collectors and fans of the original text. The inside formatting is clean and well organized, and the paper quality is good for a paperback edition. It’s also a great option for practicing English because the writing style is engaging and easier to follow if you already know the story from the movies.