Book Review | Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Title – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Author – J.K Rowling.

Publication date – 26th June 1997.

Publisher – Bloomsbury Publishing.

Series Status – 1st book in the Harry Potter series.

Synopsis.

‘Harry Potter’s life is miserable. His parents are dead and he’s stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he’s a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.

Though Harry’s first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it’s his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.

Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.‘

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My Thoughts.

5 star book review

*very minor spoilers*

I didn’t think it was possible to love Harry Potter anymore than I already did but every time I re-read the books I fall more in love. Reading the books again and again has allowed me to appreciate all the little things that the films leave out. The magic and the mystery surrounding the books is so important and fascinating for me. I’m so excited to be back in the magical world and I can’t wait to get started on the next book. I could (and will!) read this series again and again and never get bored, ever.

I still really hate the Dursley’s – why they have to treat Harry like a piece of dirt is beyond me and there could never be any excuses. Dudley is a spoilt brat who gets everything he wants and more and I can never believe just how ungrateful he is. I don’t think I ever realised how vile the Dursley’s are and how badly they treat Harry. Despite all this – Harry turns out alright and I don’t know how he learnt manners living with a bunch of bullies. It’s lovely to see Harry develop throughout the first book as he finds his way through his first year at Hogwarts.

J.K Rowling’s imagination never fails to amaze me. The amount of detail that’s gone into this book is phenomenal – from the little things like sweets, to the history of the supporting characters and the magical world itself.

I loved how we meet Ron and Hermione on the train and Ron says ‘I hope she’s not in my house’. I guess they never saw the future coming because they become the very best of friends and more. I just love the relationship the three of them have and how loyal they are to one another.

Hermione is by far my favourite character and I also think she comes the furthest. I always forget how snobby she was at the very beginning and how terrified she was at the very beginning of breaking even the tiniest of a school rule.

Hagrid also became one of my favourite characters and I feel like he becomes something of a father figure towards Harry. Harry has never had that and Hagrid is always there for him, right from the very beginning when he delivered Harry to the Dursley’s.

I even missed reading about Draco Malfoy and all his sliminess. Oh how different things could have turned out if Harry had taken up his offer of friendship.

Reading about the troll on Halloween is my favourite part of this book because it’s when Harry, Ron and Hermione’s friendship really begins. Ron was so rude to Hermione to begin with and it’s amazing how their friendship blossoms over time. I can’t wait to go on more adventures with my favourite trio.

I can’t help but be annoyed about the parts that the film left out. Especially Hermione’s moment when the trio went from the trapdoor. Ron had his moment with the chess game and Harry with the stone, but they didn’t show Hermione solving the puzzle. I know it’s something small but it’s always annoyed me.

Ah, I have so many good things to say about this book. I don’t think I could ever say one bad thing about Harry Potter and if you haven’t read the books, what are you waiting for?!

Have you read Harry Potter? If so, what did you think?