Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling –

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.

by J. K. Rowling Bloomsbury Publishing Plc on January 29, 20159781408866191272

Why on earth has it taken me so long to read the massively hyped Harry Potter books?  Well, when they were released I was older than its target audience and being the stroppy teenager, I was – refused to read them…After all I was capable of reading more grown-up literature, but,  I was a fool!  I really missed out on an awesome adventure because this thirty-two-year-old grown ass woman has loved the first book in the series.  My dilemma is though, what can I add in this review that hundreds of wonderful readers haven’t already? 

“Call him Voldemort, Harry. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself.”

The appeal is intrinsic.  It’s a story that is an easy read and the dive into the plot is smooth and complete.  You are transported into the magical world and in that moment,  also, you can fully appreciate how this series’ changed children’s lives. it is magical.  It is pure and simple escapism. 

Childhood can be brutal and traumatic experience and the magical world of Hogwarts allows a child to not feel so alone.  The experience of reading these novels has become something like an old friend, a safety blanket that reminds them that good things can prevail.  It’s a depressing existence of living under a cupboard under the stairs however, he found his tribe.  Feeling like you belong – I think a lot of children understand the journey to finding their place in the world.  J.K. Rowling’s writing is brilliant, she has the direct switch to my imagination and she turned it on in glorious technicolour. 

I read the book in a matter of hours, the pull to carry on was too strong. My eyelids were drooping with Christmas fatigue – I had to finish it.  Its obvious that you don’t need to be a child to enjoy this series – it transcends age groups/genres etc.  I am hoping I see deeper characterisation as the book series progresses. 

“There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”

I’m not going to do a full-blown review like normal.  Who doesn’t know the story of Harry Potter- The Boy Who lived, instead some miniscule observations, I have picked up along the way.  At points I wanted to jump into the author’s head and pick apart her thoughts.  I wanted to find out the answers.  But, alas, I have to read the book like everyone else. 

Observations

• Snape – wow, some deep stuff going on in this guy’s head.  I think there is more to him than just the evil guy persona he’s putting forward.  Probably one of my favourite characters. 

• Hagrid is awesome.  Soft and gentle.  Fiercely protective of his tribe.

• If I was a parent of these children, I would majorly be concerned with the activities they    get up to – mainly fighting trolls and coming face to face with a three headed dog.

• Currently at odds with book Dumbledore in the book and the movie one. 

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