short book review about harry potter

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

By j.k. rowling.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is one of the most popular children's books ever written. It is a story about the triumph of love and bravery over evil.

About the Book

Article written by Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ is a very engaging read for children and adults alike. Since it is the first book in this series, we are introduced to an entirely new world in this book. The world of magic slowly builds itself as we read through the book. The genius of this book is using the protagonist Harry’s discovery of this world to parallel the readers’.

Furthermore, despite several hardships and literally being an orphan who never knew love, Harry still recognizes love and affection when he sees it. While this book is memorable for a plethora of reasons, some elements of Rowling’s writing triumph as winners.

Discovering the Story World and Magic as a Metaphor

J. K. Rowling does a great job writing this story with an omniscient third-person narrative but still keeping the narrator wherever Harry is for a major part of this book. This makes the reader’s fascination and interest in the world of magic as new and real as Harry’s. We are introduced to several facts and significant peculiarities of the world of magic, all of which seem very consistently developed, adding authenticity to it.

While there are a lot of similarities between the real world and the world of magic, the differences are usually peculiar and downright funny at times. Platform nine and three-quarters, running through a brick wall, ghosts roaming freely and talking to living people, and many other peculiarities add to the charm of creating an interesting story world. One could go on to theorize that calling non-magic people muggles and portraying the Dursleys as ordinary people who hate things like magic has a metaphorical purpose.

It furthers the cause and appeals to the readers to be more imaginative and creative. Magic is a metaphor for imagination in this case. The Dursleys are scared of anything out of the ordinary. They spend their entire day doing mundane tasks they assign meaning to and criticize almost anything and anyone that doesn’t fit their design.

On the contrary, Harry, despite being ill-treated and not loved by the Dursleys, has a flair for imagination and creativity. It didn’t take very long for him to get used to the wizarding ways, and he very clearly had the potential to do great things after all. This book is, in its essence, an inspiration for readers to make dreams come true and bravely follow their dreams despite obstacles. It is an apt narrative for children who, at their age, tend to discover new things and ideas to develop.

Good vs Evil and Heroism

The trope of a savior standing up to the tyrant is not new. However, ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ being a children’s book, delves into this slowly. When Harry is unaware of magic and thinks that his parents died in an accident, he is a normal child with very little to think about good, evil, and the need for heroism.

However, once he is informed of the actual circumstances of his parents’ death and after discovering magic, he gains new insights, and his worldview significantly changes. His sense of responsibility and the need to stop Voldemort at any cost from getting to the Philosopher’s Stone set the path for his heroism. This transition happens slowly, yet it feels very natural. He doesn’t know what he will do if he faces Voldemort. Despite this naive understanding of the consequences, he still chooses to face Voldemort.

This portrayal of heroism is quite commendable as it appeals to the very cause of wanting to stop the wrongdoing. The fact that an eleven-year-old boy and his two friends thwart a feared dark wizard from stealing the Philosopher’s Stone in a school that has so many adults who are way more experienced and well-equipped to do it portrays heroism in its purest form. Heroism is more the choice to take action against evil than the ability to stop evil. This book does a good job illustrating this subtlety.

Sacrifice in Harry Potter

Sacrifice is an essential part of this novel. The story of ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ uses sacrifice to define both friendship and love. Harry’s parents die because they sacrifice themselves to protect Harry. Ron sacrifices himself while playing Wizard chess. Several people who fought in the war against Voldemort sacrificed themselves for the well-being of the collective community.

The trope of sacrifice plays a major role in setting up differences in morality between the good and the evil. As Dumbledore points out to Harry, Voldemort does not understand love. The fact that Harry understands love and values it, sets a specific difference in the choices that Harry and Lord Voldemort make.

Harry is willing to sacrifice himself when he takes over the task of protecting the Philosopher’s Stone. On the contrary, Voldemort uses others for his selfish motives. This stark difference between willing to sacrifice oneself and using others as a shield to protect oneself makes all the difference and definitively separates good and evil in this book.

Why was Harry Potter banned?

Harry Potter was banned in a catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee, because of fear of evil spirits. Some other places have also banned Harry Potter books for similar religious fears. Some religious leaders were concerned that the spells and enchantments mentioned in the book were real and that they could summon evil spirits and dark magic.

Is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone worth reading for an adult?

‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ is definitely worth reading for an adult. While it was written as a children’s book, it has outlived this label, and there are people of all ages who not only read these books but also engage in community discussions and have fun playing games inspired by these books. Many people have found reading this book a very rewarding experience, as is evident from the sales and fame this book has garnered across all demographics.

Should I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone or watch the movie?

While the movie is undoubtedly well-made and a thrill to watch, the books are far more detailed and a very thrilling read. Most people who have both read the books and watched the movies always choose the former as a better experience. Furthermore, there are several interesting and amusing characters and scenes in the book that the movie couldn’t incorporate. So, one would be missing out on a lot if one doesn’t read ‘ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. ‘

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Review - A Thrilling Read

Writing Style
Lasting effect on the reader

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Book Review

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling is a thrilling read that hooks the reader from page one. Published in the year 1997, it is one of the highest grossing novels ever written. Some elements of the novel like its elaborate yet accessible world-building makes it a very entertaining read for children and adults alike. It follows the story of an orphan boy named Harry Potter who realizes he is a wizard and the rest of the book records his journey as a young wizard in Hogwarts, a school of magic. This book, and the series as a whole have been a definitive part of an entire generation’s childhood and have garnered very high praise as an entertaining read.

The plot is entertaining and is a very immersive read.
Has a lot of early lessons for children on morality.
The characters are well developed and the story world is well structured and interesting.
The writing style may be a bit rudimentary for adult avid readers.
Several instances of Deux Ex Machina make the protagonist’s position very safe and lacking any real danger.
Some mild instances of body shaming exist within the novel.

About Mohandas Alva

Mohandas is very passionate about deciphering the nature of language and its role as a sole medium of storytelling in literature. His interests sometimes digress from literature to philosophy and the sciences but eventually, the art and craft of narrating a significant story never fail to thrill him.

Cite This Page

Alva, Mohandas " Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Review ⭐ " Book Analysis , https://bookanalysis.com/jk-rowling/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone/review/ . Accessed 12 April 2024.

The Harry Potter section of Book Analysis analyzes and explorers the Harry Potter series. The characters, names, terminology, and all related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros ©. The content on Book Analysis was created by Harry Potter fans, with the aim of providing a thorough in-depth analysis and commentary to complement and provide an additional perspective to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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The latest book reviews and book news, harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone: book review.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone novel by J. K. Rowling

A novel that needs no introduction is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling. It is the novel that has shaped the lives of millions of readers and is still one of the most read novels today! Keep reading to find out why this novel and series is as popular as it is.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Summary

On his eleventh birthday, Harry Potter finds out he is a wizard and will be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before then, Harry did not even know that magic was real or that he was famous. As Harry learns about his past and his parents who died protecting him, he prepares to embark on a new journey.

Harry arrives at Hogwarts and becomes friends with two of his classmates Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. The trio all are members of house Gryffindor and help each other pass the first year at Hogwarts. But as they find out throughout the course of the year, they will face many challenges and enemies.

Suspicious activity at Hogwarts like a three-headed dog guarding a trap door and a troll somehow entering and attacking Hogwarts makes the trio suspicious. Harry, Ron, and Hermione soon discover Professor Dumbledore is hiding something at Hogwarts and someone is trying hard to steal it. As the first years try to manage the workload, they must also stop whoever is after the secret artifact before it is used by the dark forces at the school.

Originally published as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the United Kingdom in 1997, within the first six months of release, the children’s book took off. When Scholastic bought the U.S. rights, Scholastic’s Arthur Levine believes that the title wouldn’t work for American readers. After some discussion, the novel’s title was changed to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone which was suggested by Rowling.

Rowling went on to say that she wished she hadn’t changed it but since it was her first novel, she didn’t have as much leverage. The title change was not necessary and makes it a bit confusing for some people. The good thing is that that is the only novel where that happened. Maybe Scholastics should give readers a little bit more credit.

I was first introduced to the Harry Potter world by the movies. As a kid, I was always intimidated but the size of the Harry Potter novels and did not believe I would be able to read a book that big. It was later on in my life that I tackled bigger novels and even later when I finally read the Harry Potter novels.

I fell in love with the novels wholeheartedly. The writing is great, the characters are wonderful, and the overarching plot and how everything connects was done perfectly. One thing the movies never did well was showcase Harry’s struggle of not having a family and his loneliness. In the novel, we see how they affect Harry’s state of mind and acting out because of those feelings, something the movies don’t do that well.

This novel and the whole Harry Potter series should be read by every reader in my opinion. Not everyone has to like it but reading it and finding that whether you do or not should be a test given to everyone. It will get a lot if children into reading and that is always a great end result. Expect reviews for all the novels in the series in the coming months!

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In the first paragraph u wrote eep instead of keep… XD

Thanks I’ll fix it now 🙂

I used to be a huge fan of the movies but never read the books. It’s always interesting to hear the differences. Good to know that the book expands on the characters a bit more!

The entire series ends differently in the books than in the movies. the boom ending in Deadly Hallow makes much more sense.

My daughter made sure all her copies were the the UK versions

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these series made a reader out of me, thanks for sharing 🙂

Thanks for reading! 👍

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I also saw the movies first. It wasn’t until after “The Goblet of Fire” film came out that I started reading the books. But I read the 4th one first, and the rest out of order, until “The Deathly Hallows” book was released. Not too long ago, I started rereading the 1st “Harry Potter” novel, and picked up on some new details and moments that I’d missed before, including some dark ones.

Rereading them now and there’s a lot that you realize that you missed. Rowling thought it all out!

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I love Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone also known as. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

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The cover was good, but I read a little, and I thought that if I read more it would be more interesting. Well, beyond interesting, but my new favorite book!

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[Book Review] ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ by J.K. Rowling

Download Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone PDF by J.K. Rowling

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J.K. Rowling needs no introduction. She is, of course, the author of the famous Harry Potter series . She was born on July 31, 1965 at Yate General Hospital near Bristol, and grew up in Gloucestershire in England and in Chepstow, Gwent, in south-east Wales. Rowling conceived the idea of Harry Potter in 1990 while sitting on a delayed train from Manchester to London King’s Cross. Over the next five years, she began to map out all seven books of the series. She wrote mostly in longhand and gradually built up a mass of notes, many of which were scribbled on odd scraps of paper. The result is known to us all – a series of unparalleled fame and popularity that we all enjoy. Under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith , J.K. Rowling also writes crime novels, featuring private detective Cormoran Strike.

“The truth.” Dumbledore sighed. “It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution.”

Harry Potter books tell the story of orphan Harry James Potter, the discovery of his secret magical powers and the role he plays in the safety of the hidden world of witchcraft and wizards.

After being raised in the miserably unfair home of his Uncle Vernon Dursley, Harry practically begins life anew when he discovers that he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry . Among Harry’s first-year adventures are making new friends (Hagrid, Ron and Hermione), standing up to the torments of school bully Draco Malfoy, and becoming the star player of his Quidditch team (the favored sport in the magical world). Harry’s life as a Hogwarts “first-year” is more interesting than that of most attendees, because he is already famous for surviving the attack of the evil Lord Voldemort, who tried to kill him as an infant. Everyone in the wizard world knows more about Harry’s family and his story than he himself does.

Download free PDF Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone J.K. Rowling

This first book – Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – introduces you to this magical world for the first time, and it does so in a smooth and comfortable fashion, introducing both you and Harry to strange wonders never yet experienced. This makes the transition into the world of magic an easy and pleasant experience. Rowling has built a strong and multi-layered world with immense amounts of detail , yet it is written in such a way that it doesn’t feel tedious or as though you are being fed all the information at once, as is the case with many fantasy novels . Through Harry’s eyes, you encounter wands, monsters and spells with their magical properties, purposes and history laid out in small, easily consumable chunks. This means that the book never ceases to envelope you in its world or characters, whereas many epic fantasies have a habit of pulling you aside in a rather obvious fashion and indulging in the rather fruitless exercise of explaining every newly encountered item.

All the characters, teachers, students and bad guys alike have truly believable personalities, eccentricities and flaws, which, more often than not, helps to make them the truly lovable and long-standing characters that they have gone on to become. These friendships and relationships drive the book forward, providing comical respite and emotional engagement along the way.

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.

There are characters in this book that will remind us of all the people we have met. All of us have known a spoilt, overweight boy like Dudley, or a bossy and interfering (yet kind-hearted) girl like Hermione. A large number of the younger readers will also be able to easily identify with Harry, especially with his initial feelings of isolation and a sense of not belonging, and then through to his excitement at finally leaving that life behind in favor of one where he does belong and will be happy.

Hogwarts is a truly magical place, not only in the most obvious way but also in all the sheer detail that the author has gone to describe it. It is the place that everybody wishes they could have been to when they were eleven , for that’s where many adventures befall the trio (Harry, Ron and Hermione), and the stone in the book’s title is center to all the events that unfold as the plot progresses. The story builds toward the exciting conclusion that has the ultimate feel-good factor.

In conclusion, this epic journey out of the Muggle world and into the school and world of witchcraft and wizardry bags 4 out of 5 stars. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a must-read for anyone within the age-group of 8 to 600 years (for those who have used the stone :p) who want to be mesmerized by an enigmatic world.

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A review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone By J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone By J. K. Rowling Bloomsbury Pub Ltd Paperback: 224 pages, Feb 2000, ISBN-13: 978-0747532743

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling is a book about bravery and courage. As Professor Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, says “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it for muggles aged eleven and up. This is the first in the seven book Harry Potter series. I think readers must read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone before reading the other books in the series, as this book sets the scene for the Harry Potter world.

As the title suggests, the main character in this book is Harry James Potter, also known as the boy who lived. The book follows Harry in his first year at Hogwarts, where he meets Hermione Jean Granger, a genius, and Ronald Bilius Weasley, a red head with six siblings.

When he was just a baby, Harry’s parents were killed by a Dark Arts wizard named Voldemort. Voldemort also tried to kill Harry but failed, leaving Harry with a scar in the shape of a lightning bolt on his forehead, and giving him the title the boy who lived. On the night of his parents’ death, Harry was placed on the doorstep of his aunt and uncle, the Dursley’s, much to their displeasure.

“Harry – yer a wizard” Harry was told on his eleventh birthday. With this news, he left the Dursley’s grasp for Hogwarts.

Harry, Ron and Hermione discover that in a room in the Forbidden Corridor on the third floor at Hogwarts, covered by spells and curses, lays the one and only Philosopher’s Stone – a stone that can transform any metal into pure gold and also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. During his time at Hogwarts, Harry develops the feeling that his potions teacher Professor Snape hates him, and has a gut feeling that Snape will try and steal the stone. One night, Harry, Ron and Hermione sneak up to the Forbidden Corridor to get the stone before Snape does. The trio pass through challenging obstacles. In the end, Harry has to finish the mission on his own and to his surprise, it’s not at all what he expected.

The theme of this story is magic and mystery. Nothing is as it seems, with changes at every turn.

This book is unlike any other; J. K. Rowling has opened the door to a whole new world of reading. Those readers who enjoy the Scarlet and Ivy series by Sophie Cleverly should also enjoy the Harry Potter series.

About the reviewer: Cleo was Commended in the 2019 Hunter Writers’ Centre/Compulsive Reader Review competition. She is in Grade 6 and her favourite subjects are novel study, reading groups and writing. Cleo has participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge since she started school. Cleo plays as the Goal Shooter and Goal Attack in her local netball team, which she loves. Cleo’s dream is to have a dog and she is yet to know what she wants to be in the future.

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HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

From the harry potter series , vol. 1.

by J.K. Rowling ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1998

It’s slanted toward action-oriented readers, who will find that Briticisms meld with all the other wonders of magic school.

In a rousing first novel, already an award-winner in England, Harry is just a baby when his magical parents are done in by Voldemort, a wizard so dastardly other wizards are scared to mention his name.

So Harry is brought up by his mean Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia Dursley, and picked on by his horrid cousin Dudley. He knows nothing about his magical birthright until ten years later, when he learns he’s to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts is a lot like English boarding school, except that instead of classes in math and grammar, the curriculum features courses in Transfiguration, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry becomes the star player of Quidditch, a sort of mid-air ball game. With the help of his new friends Ron and Hermione, Harry solves a mystery involving a sorcerer’s stone that ultimately takes him to the evil Voldemort. This hugely enjoyable fantasy is filled with imaginative details, from oddly flavored jelly beans to dragons’ eggs hatched on the hearth.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1998

ISBN: 978-0-590-35340-3

Page Count: 309

Publisher: Levine/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1998

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

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THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 1.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2013

Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Chainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.

Every four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Gradually—too gradually, as the author strings out hundreds of pages of Hogwarts-style pranks, classroom mishaps and competitions both academic and romantic—it becomes clear that the placement wasn’t a mistake at all. Growing into their true natures amid revelations and marked physical changes, the two spark escalating rivalry between the wings of the school. This leads up to a vicious climactic fight that sees Good and Evil repeatedly switching sides. At this point, readers are likely to feel suddenly left behind, as, thanks to summary deus ex machina resolutions, everything turns out swell(ish).

Pub Date: May 14, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-06-210489-2

Page Count: 496

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

More by Soman Chainani

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by RaidesArt

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Julia Iredale

Netflix Drops ‘School for Good and Evil’ Trailer

BOOK TO SCREEN

THE LAST EVER AFTER

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 3.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2015

Ultimately more than a little full of itself, but well-stocked with big themes, inventively spun fairy-tale tropes, and...

Good has won every fairy-tale contest with Evil for centuries, but a dark sorcerer’s scheme to turn the tables comes to fruition in this ponderous closer.

Broadening conflict swirls around frenemies Agatha and Sophie as the latter joins rejuvenated School Master Rafal, who has dispatched an army of villains from Capt. Hook to various evil stepmothers to take stabs (literally) at changing the ends of their stories. Meanwhile, amid a general slaughter of dwarves and billy goats, Agatha and her rigid but educable true love, Tedros, flee for protection to the League of Thirteen. This turns out to be a company of geriatric versions of characters, from Hansel and Gretel (in wheelchairs) to fat and shrewish Cinderella, led by an enigmatic Merlin. As the tale moves slowly toward climactic battles and choices, Chainani further lightens the load by stuffing it with memes ranging from a magic ring that must be destroyed and a “maleficent” gown for Sophie to this oddly familiar line: “Of all the tales in all the kingdoms in all the Woods, you had to walk into mine.” Rafal’s plan turns out to be an attempt to prove that love can be twisted into an instrument of Evil. Though the proposition eventually founders on the twin rocks of true friendship and family ties, talk of “balance” in the aftermath at least promises to give Evil a fighting chance in future fairy tales. Bruno’s polished vignettes at each chapter’s head and elsewhere add sophisticated visual notes.

Pub Date: July 21, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-06-210495-3

Page Count: 672

Review Posted Online: June 25, 2015

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling (Harry Potter: Book 1)

The Philosopher’s Stone is the first in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series of seven novels that have made her the most successful literary author of all time, selling in excess of 400 million copies world-wide. The books are read and enjoyed by children and adults alike and have also been made into hugely popular films.

Do the Harry Potter books live up to the hype? When I first began reading the Philosopher’s stone I was immediately struck by how good - and laugh-out-loud funny - the humour was. You usually need to read a Terry Pratchett novel to ensure constant laughter throughout but Rowling has managed to infuse this book with a lovely wit and charm that will both amuse and delight adults and children.

Here is an example, with the ending being particularly good:

"Harry was frying eggs by the time Dudley arrived in the kitchen with his mother. Dudley looked a lot like Uncle Vernon. He had a large, pink face, not much neck, small, watery blue eyes and thick, blond hair that lay smoothly on his thick, fat head. Aunt Petunia often said that Dudley looked like a baby angel – Harry often said that Dudley looked like a pig in a wig." Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: The Vanishing Glass

There are characters in this book that will remind us of all the people we have met. Everybody knows or knew a spoilt, overweight boy like Dudley or a bossy and interfering (yet kind-hearted) girl like Hermione. A large number of the younger readers will also be able to easily identify with Harry, especially with his initial feelings of isolation and not belonging, and then through to his excitement at finally leaving that life behind in favour of one where he belongs and will be happy.

When Harry begins his first term at Hogwarts (a wizarding school) he is not alone in being overawed:

‘Yeh’ll get yer firs’ sight of Hogwarts in a sec,’ Hagrid called over his shoulder, ‘jus’ round this bend here.’ There was a loud ‘Oooooh!” The narrow path had opened suddenly on to the edge of a great black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone: The Journey From Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

Hogwarts is a truly magical place, not only in the most obvious way but also in all the detail that the author has gone to describe it so vibrantly. It is the place that everybody wishes they could of gone to when they where eleven. And there many adventures befall the trio (Harry, Ron and Hermione) and the stone in the book's title is centre to all that happens. The story builds towards and exciting conclusion that has the ultimate feel-good factor.

J.K. Rowling should be commended for getting so many people reading and excited by books. The biggest surprise must be the effect that this novel had on the adult population, both male and female - at the time the books were published many a commuting train was spotted with Harry Potter books providing world-weary workers with a wonderful sense of escapism. This book is highly recommended to anybody between the ages of 8 and 80.

Is all the hype about the Harry Potter books justified? In a word, yes, the books are a joy to read and possibly the most rewarding young adult’s book since The Hobbit.

9/10 A rewarding read, a classic for children.

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Review by Amanda White

136 positive reader review(s) for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

380 positive reader review(s) in total for the Harry Potter series

JK Rowling biography

Noona from Australia

This book is satisfyingly good, the entire idea of having a young boy who’s parents die in the hands in an blood thirsty super villain isn’t that unique... *cough* *cough* *Batman*. But she makes it so original with hoggwards and the mirror makes this book so good

Athena-Jayde from New Zealand

Best book of all time love the writing and the dream J.k Rowling is my all time favorite writer

Anon from UK

I never thought I'd enjoy Harry Potter so much! It's become my favourite series and absolutely LOVE the magic and everything about the book honestly. You can never get bored and all the chapters always leave you asking tons of questions! Love it! P.S. Joanne Rowling- I love your books. Keep on doing, what you're doing! You are such an amazing author and angel. 😃

Samuel from Australia

Could not tear my eyes away from this book.

Haniya from Pakistan

Harry Potter is the best English novel I read.

Priyal from India

We all know that the book is fab, but have you ever wondered , what if J.K. Rowling ended the book with the the last line saying- '' and then Harry woke up from the dream lying in the cupboard under the stairs....''

Great book for young and old, I have read it so many times i could say it word for word. I think that it is one of the best books that I have ever read.

Anonymous from Rather not Say

An interesting beginning for the award-winning series. This, unlike the other Harry Potters, wasn’t that good. Nearly each on got better. But some kids may find this book boring and lose interest. It just doesn’t have the action and sci-fi like the rest. Philosopher’s Stone: 6/10 Chamber of Secrets: 7/10 Prisoner of Azkaban: 9/10 Goblet of Fire: 9/10 Order of the Phoenix: 10/10 Half-Blood Prince: 6/10 Deathly Hallows: 9/10 Cursed Child: 2/10 Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them: 5/10 The Tales of Beedle the Bard: 4/10

Beauty Queen from India

It was very nice book. I am still reading it even after 100 times. It interesting you see I am a fast reader so I completed the book in 1 day. It tells about how Harry Potter a wizard and how his parents were murdered so he had only one relative his mom's sister Aunt Petunia and her family. Then a letter arrives at his house but his uncle won't let him see it but a giant named Hagrid the gamekeeper says the truth that he was an wizard like he studied in the school Hogwarts the magic school and made some friends too. But he needed to save the philosopher stone from the deadly wizard named Lord Voldemort but the problem was his least favorite teacher Snape who Harry thinks works for Voldemort but that isn't the end but I don't want to be a surprise spoiler so read it yourself I felt it was a good book. How about you?

Anoymous from Somewhere

Very good book. I had read it for more than 5 times.

Anonymous from Somewhere

It’s OK. There’s been better Harry Potters. But Artemis Fowl is more enjoyable.

Mia from Australia

This is the Summary Harry Potter he a kid on his eleventh birthday a big giant man name Hagrid told him that he was a wizard and his parents were witch and wizard too he never knew that he was famous. He started at Hogwarts. Harry made some new friends name Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger there found a three head dog name Fluffy and there need to find out what in that trap door let the magic begin. This is plot When Harry Potter start Hogwarts school of wizard and witchery and Find out what happen to his parents and he find the murder of his parents his name is Voldemort. This is imagery and symbolism That in Harry Potter has a lot of bright colours and some dark colours. Book is mostly about how Harry starts and through the year of Hogwarts. One of the may symbols are Harry scar because he the boy who lived right after Voldemort disappeared. Themes are magic, Friendship and Love because it shows the magic in Hogwarts, friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione and love between Harry and his mother and father who Harry lose.

Bill from UK

Harry Potter are the greatest books ever. I really enjoy these books the most book I like is The Prisoner of Azkaban because Buckbeak who is a magical creature is cute and the best it is the best book I have.

Sanu from Australia

It enthralled me and I finished all the books in grade 3. But I re-read them and still do! These wonderful masterpieces are perfect for kids and adults. Take a look at it.

Samiya from Bangladesh

Only one thing can say, the book is awesome and every moment and every chapter is incredible. It is the best book I ever read.

Harry Potter are the greatest books ever. I really enjoy these books, the book I likemost is The Prisoner of Azkaban because Buckbeak, who is a magical creature, is cute and the best. It is the best book I have.

Rose from Holly wood

Maria from Pakistan

This book has had me taken into another land in which i remain till now...even though i finished the whole series! I simply cannot get enough of harry potter and i highly recommend this book if you guys love fantasy and a bit of wizard action!😍😍😘😊

Rachel from United Kingdom

Simply the best!

Anna from United States

I don't like fantasy books. This is my one time I have to go against it. Harry Potter is in my top 2 favorite books of all time. It's amazing with all the unique things that you see around the magic world. You will have to think again when you chose a favourite book.

Suzanna from Wales

One of the best book series ever!! Charming and Witty, you just cant put the book down.

Nicole Fernando from Sri Lanka

Harry’s perfectly normal life at number 4 privet drive becomes extraordinary when he finds out that he is a wizard and Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry will teach him all he needs to know.Ignoring his aunt’s and uncle’s(Mr. and Mrs.Dursley) screams of protests Harry ventures into the wizarding world. But even in The wizarding world bad things happen like, the evil wizard ,Voldemort who killed who many innocent people( including Harry’s parents ) coming back to life.Even though Harry escaped from Voldemort once, Harry is not certain he can do it again.Join Harry Potter and his newly found friends Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger to save the wizarding World.Can they do it? Find out in Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone . This book is great for all ages.The author J.K Rowling created a world full of adventure,fun and mystical places and creatures.This is only the first book from a set of seven.People all around the world would love this series.This book is one of the greatest books I have ever read.

Anna from UK

It’s very good because I enjoy it and it makes me wanna read it a lot and see what happens next.

Anjitha from India

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is one of my favourite books in the Harry Potter series. Reading this book has made me crazy about Harry Potter and I wish to be one among the magical community. I can't imagine how thrilled I would be if I get a letter from Dumbledore saying that I am admitted to Hogwarts!!!!!!!

Cira from Canada

This book made me feel like I was taken to another land. I love it and others should too. I really enjoyed the humpr and thrill that were somehow mixed together into a perfect story. J.K Rowling has that little touch that makes everyone LOVE her books. EVeryone needs to buy it!

Risha from India

One of the best books I've read. Highly recommend it. It's for all ages and it's the best! Humour, thrill, action and a little love. A combo of everything.

Amber from India

It was the best book I had ever read. The first book was a blast. J.k Rowling has really outdone herself this time.I am reading the 7th book now, and it seems to be really interesting. Young readers, I am advising you to start reading Harry Potter, as it is truly amazing and interesting to boost your imagination..... The magical world of Harry Potter is includes dangerous, fun and legendary adventures, starring Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, who are three best friends in this fabulous story. They fought together against many fantastic and dangerous creatures, and came across many obstacles. Finally, it was the time, for Harry Potter to fight against the most powerful, dangerous wizard all the magical people could think of. You wanna know more about this legendary adventure, then reading the Harry Potter series is the best way possible.

Jotaro from Japan

It is very good.

Samit from India

Truly amazing

Neil from Malta

Purely amazing.

Sofia from Mexico

It was good.

Ava from Australia

Get ready to wave your wand, for this wizardry adventure. It start off with a young boy not knowing that he's a wizard until his 11th birthday, on his journey to Hogwarts Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) makes amazing friends with Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Wealsy (Rupert Grint). On learning how to prounce the famous spells like wingardium leviosa, lumos and alohomara, but in every story there's a troubling part were Harry fights for his life.

Jade from UK

This book is the only book I read because nothing else is interesting for me and I could never stop re-reading it.By now I must of read the Harry Potter series 20 times,they are just WOW and AMAZING.I would recommend this book to anyone!

Aoife from Ireland

Just perfect.

Amaal from Austrailia

It is definitely the best book I've ever read! I need to read all!!!! :) SO AMAZING! I now know 100% understand why J.K. Rowling is the most successful and richest author there is! 9.9 STARS!

Palak from India

i have read harry potter book it was amazing i like it

Sofia from USA

Harry Potter and the philospher's stone is one of the best series I have read it more than 8 times

Namratha from India

This is amazing I love it 😙😙😙😙😙😙

Shravani from India

I really loved Harry Potter series. It is one of the greatest fictions for children. The writing, the character development is very good. I really liked it.

Harry from Australia

Best book series if you ask me. I have read each book over 15 times except The Order of the Phoenix and Goblet of Fire. JK Rowling's writing is better than any other writing. I love Emma Watson / Hermione Granger. I have loved Harry Potter since I was in year 2.

Manya Rathore from India

It is the most interesting book I have ever read and It is a wizard story and is a inspirative story.

carissa from singpore

I LOVE harry potter so much that I can read the whole book series like about 20 times. I think that everyone should a lest try reading Harry Potter .

Mubeen from India

When i started reading harry potter and the philosophers stone i was unable to stop myself by reading i read it continously and i hd cmpltd it in just one day without getting bored.....these are the amazing book series i hv ever read....i would luv to read it again and again..

Juveriya from India

I love the harry potter series

Katie from 1 Direction Fandom

Get ready for swish and flick and wingardium leviosa! The best part is the last against Lord Voldemort.

Imogen from UK

Good book =-)

Electra from Greece

I love Harry Potter and I love the Philosopher's Stone so much because it is the book where all the magic began.

Olivia Myers from Australia

I love Harry Potter but I would rather watch the move than read the book :}

Heramb from Australia

Harry Potter was the best book series I've ever read and it is beast. If I could I would rate this 2,000,000 stars out of ten!

Ben from UK

Definitely advise reading these books.

Sanjanaa from India

I like Harry Potter.

Thomas from America

AMAZING! RECOMMEND IT!!!

Aaradhana from India

Whatever it has use for us , whatever it teaches , friendship , believe in magic , confidence in ourselves , whatever , its the craziest thing i have ever read or ever known in my life...I just go mad and imagine myself in that world and actually i wont ever be tired of reading it if its even 100 times 😃😃😃😇😇😌😌 I just love it n u r the most imp part of life-review of others who just shown me that its what makes the harry potter the best story ever atleast fr me... its my life. If i would even be of 50 yrs or more i won't stop admiring it and readinb... yes i am not the best fan but fr me its the best book/series 😁😁 Love u harry pottrr stories.... and yeah 1 thing i forgot to tell u i am really a great fan of Draco Malfoy/TOM FELTON....😍😍�...😄......was that too much to read!!!!�......

Rachana from India

What a nice book it was!

Keira from Canada

This book review is magical and helps me understand what this book is about. Also in my class we are making book reviews and you have helped me alot with exmaples! Thanks.

Frutopia10 from New Zealand

It was awesome! A book that is unforgettable! Even though the series gets better and better this book is a all time favorite for me.

Hemanth from India

This is the book that everyone has to read in their lifetime and the graphics are awesome. Thanks to J. K. Rowling for giving us a awesome book and after reading I realised why the book is so famous.

Akash from India

This book is so amazing. That I can't narrate and Ys I have decided to know what people are so much crazy about these series. At last the thinking of writer is lunatically awesome!!!!

Abcd1234 from Israel

An amazing start for an equally amazing series . The plot is immersive, it takes you by the hands and pulls you into the books. I Read the whole seven books in a row. Must read!!!

Lily from Australia

OMG! this book is amazing. JK Rowling is really good with words i have read this book 100 times i love it keep up the good work JK

Sahla from UK

The magic begins!!! This book is bewitchingly beautiful. I have read all of the Harry Potter books including the Cursed Child and I have to admit that this one never gets old! All book lovers across the world, children or adults, can enjoy this book. Honestly I believe no one can ever say they hate this book true to their heart unless their pathological liars.

Annie from India

This book is amazing. I really like that and I think everyone also like this boo . This book show a philosopher's stone that amazing and their wand spells superb . Thanks to J.K Rowling that gives us very interesting book.

Savannah from Australia

This book is amazing.

Satwika from India

AMAZING!!! I love the book. It is my all time favorite. I am dieing to go to a magical school like Hogwarts. I am inspired to write a fantasy novel.

Harry Potter Fan😍 from Hogwarts

I love this book. I saw the movie and have read the book a million times now!!! (LOL)😍😃😘

Ahmed from Saudi arabia

Awesome Book but chapter one was very boring plzz in the next series dont write all those kind of stuffs. Plzz begin the story neatly and nicely

Sohini from India

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is written by J.K Rowling. Even By reading this small summary I am well liked of the story. And really from now I like Harry Potter.

N from Ireland

AMAZING 😁

Sophie from UK

It was Fantastic!

MAISHA from INDIA

It's a fabulous book, I had heard about it from my friends, and when I found it very interesting. It was like I am in the story watching everything happening. I will now start to read the second book. From my point of view, I feel that JK ROWLING IS THE BEST WRITER IN THE WORLD IN THIS GENERATION.

David from US

The first book in the Harry Potter series has much going for it but I think it is the humour that stands out most for. It is many things but I just found it plain funny. Consistently. This is fantasy in its purest form and it offers wonderful escapement and wish-fulfilment. When a book becomes as massively popular as this those who do not like it tend to really hate it. But make up your own mind - if a school for wizards and oodles of adventure and excitement sound like your type of thing then your not going to find much better than this.

Great story mixed with fantastic world - building combine to form a literary classic of immense proportions.

Emma from America

Chamber of Secrets is the classic that started a classic story about the boy who lived. The book features well rounded characters, a mysterious plot, and heartwarming world-building.

Jessica from Australia

It's amazing! I recommend this book to all ages ❤️

Indrajeet from India

Best book in my life I have ever read before and I have all the version in my home and I read it in leisure time.

Sindhu from India

This wonderful book takes us on a magical journey you can't help falling in love with. The plot, the characters, the tiny details that Rowling so masterfully brings together... mindblowing. Easily the best book series I've ever read. Recommended for everybody- young and old.

ledi from Albania

I love this book because it is a very interesting, mysterious and thrilling book.

Lavisha Malik from India

I like this book. I thank the writer to write such a interesting type of book.

Houssem from Tunisia

What an amazing and fascinating book ! Wow. The journey passed so fast, how you dive into the pages,sink in the events and travel with the characters, how fantastic that is, purely wonderful ^^

Sashreek Havelia from India

This was an amazing book and was my second novel ever. I find myself in a stronghold of books just because of this wonderfully written and out of the box book. I must congratulate author J.K.Rowling on the success of all her books and her skill as an author.

Disha from India

It is very nice.

Harry from UK

I quite liked the book it was interesting I am now on the 2nd book of Harry Potter.

Trevor from US

The only people who don't like Harry Potter books are adults who seem to think that admitting they like Harry Potter makes them less of an adult. Oh, it's a great children's book. STFU. It's not a great children's book. It's just a great book. PERIOD.

Safia Ali from India

I just want to say that I AM MAD ABOUT THIS MAGICAL WORLD AS IT DID A GREAT MAGIC ON MY MIND AND HEART. JUST LOVE IT!

Brychan from UK

An excellent book combining magic and reality in a sensational mix. J.K Rowling has definitely succeeded in writing a brilliant book perfect for all ages. She has created a combination of happy, exciting and sad scenes to create an amazing book. If you have not already read the series then I definitely recommend that you read it as soon as possible. 9/10

Jasmine from India

This book is the best book I have read in a entire life. Love u JK Rowling.

Potter fan from India

Good book but lacks action...

Navneet from India

It really is the most fantastic book which I have ever read in my life.

Michael Anthony from US

Great book!!! Love it.

Himansh from India

Great book! I had read this book almost 10 times but am not at all bored of it. People who feel bored are dumb. The only word for this book is - awesome!!! But the Deathly Hallows is the last part. I'll miss Harry Potter!!!

#potterhead from Pakistan

Oh my god! These books are life. I just cannot describe how amazing they are. I've read them like a million times and I'm still not tired of them. Favourite books and I also lovvveeeee the movies. Potterhead for life!

Priyanka from Dubai

It is such an awesome book, I felt so sad when it was coming to an end. I wish there were more than 7 Harry Potter books.

Gordon from England

It is very funny those who give this book a bad review have a very poor grasp of the English language. Maybe they lack the intellegence to appreciate literature beyond wiser and chips? Totally awesome book.

Faizan from India

Excellent! Wonderful! I love the series of Harry Potter. I have read it 7 times continuously. No words to appreciate. Just enjoy the fantasy world of magic.

Sheepish from India

It is a nice and thrilling book which I had never read in my life. I love this book, thanx for this, bye.

Anakha from India

I love it. An amazing book!

Annastacia Buckley from Singapore

I absolutely loveee this book!! But, I would give it a 10 if the review was longer and have more coverage! Awesome book!

Gregory from Australia

This book was very impressive... how can people hate this book?

xxpa from canada

Great book, I couldn't put it down once I started reading this book. Dark, amazing, fast and thrilling. A must read for all!

Jack from US

It's so good, thanks, you gave me an idea for a book review.

Gunnhildur from Iceland

I loooooved this book! Those dumb Harry Potter haters don´t understand what they are missing! I really hope J.K. Rowling writes more of these, I have read all of them twice! Maybe some stories about Harry and Ron doing Aura business and other stuff!

Deepika from India

The only review is that they are... AWESOME!!!

Pinky from India

I can't give 10 points because it's not enough! Hey! I've started reading Chamber of Secrets. After I completed reading I came to this website. Ah! This book has fans all over the world.

Ramya from India

The best ever book I've read. Fascinating, mesmerizing, so on!!! No other words I've to describe it. I normally hate books but this is the one which gave me the interest to read novels. I'll say this book is best because it's SIMPLY GREAT GREAT GREAT... VERY GREAT!!!

Trina from US

You can't put it down. I really recommend this book, it's filled with enjoyment and it's fascinating. OK, I don't want to say really smart words but just kick back your feet and read - it is so good.

Harry Potter (wink wink) from Privet Drive

i just finished it and it only took me a day.... i couldn't put it down it was AMAZING. I came to this website before I read it just to be sure it is worth while. If you're doing this now... STOP and read it. No words can explain how good it is, I have already started Chamber of Secrets. There is so much detail in JK Rowling's books! I recommend read this first then watch the movie. It's a great book for all ages :)

Aymar from Canada

Honestly loved the first the most. But the entire series was the best series I have a ever read!

Xavier from Austria

Although I am not totally enamoured by the series as a whole I think the Philosopher's Stone is a beautiful stand-alone book. It oozes charm and offers wish fulfilment on a level I've only ever encountered in the Lord of the Rings. At turns funny, heart-warming, exciting and full of tension it is a book that everyone should read. Even if it is just to find out what the fuss is all about. A great book to read every Christmas.

Ilma from Bangladesh

The best book I've read!

Himika from India

This book taught me to love fantasy! I have read many books ever since, but HP for me is always special!

Rithu from India

The most exciting and interesting to all class of people.

Dang Trung Hieu from Vietnam

Great book!

Iris from Mexico

It was the book that taught me to love reading. And discover the feeling not to be able to leave the chair until you have finished the book. Highly recommended.

Harihara from India

No words can say how much I like this. The best series ever.

Sweata from India

It is a very thrilling book and also it has an interesting mythology... I loved this book very much... I thank J.K. Rowling for writing such a great book...

Samantha from Canada

Amazing, gripping, magnificent.

Sathwik from India

Harry Potter is awesome. It has a lot of action.

Joshua from England

Harry Potter to some is a "boring", "overexaggerated" book with no life in it whatsoever. Those people are absolute idiots. J.K. Rowling's books are gripping, stunning and filled with so much literature. The magic between the pages is just thrilling, when I started reading this particular book in my youth - around 4 years ago, I'm 13 now - it was impossible to put down, I would not sleep until it was finished. Lucky for me I'm a fast reader. In a few words Harry Potter is amazing: gripping and intelligent.

Shubham Mk from India

Just one word... CLASSIC!!! Thumbs up!!

Sarah from Pakistan

I liked this book very much, but this is my first book in the Harry Potter series and now I am very excited to read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets which I've got to read in the school holidays but this book is really awesome and I hope Chamber of Secrets will also be as interesting as this!!!

Julia from America

I thought it was brill!

Jimwel from Philippines

I really love the Harry Potter books, in fact I already finished reading all those 7 series and I really crave for more books. Hope J.K. Rowling make additional series but I don't suppose she will. But who knows?

Tom Marvolo Riddle from England

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the best book of all time!

Ieuan Jones from UK

I love Harry Potter but I think the first one lacks some action, where as the others have a lot of action from near the start, like Chamber of Secrets - there's the bit near the end where Harry kills the Basilisk and the Prisoner of Azkaban, there's the Womping Willow, whereas the first one isn't very exiting because all it is the first part of the end they get through that in like 2 mins of the film and then all they do is play chess and then Harry goes on to get bought in a fire for like a minute and then all it is is him in bed and Dumbledore steeling his sweet. So yeah, it isn't the best book but I think I would put it about 6th out of the eight :D

Amelia from Australia

I LOVE THIS BOOK AND ALL THE OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES!! They are so engaging and make the reader actually want to be a wizard!! I am absolutely crazy about Harry Potter!! My room is filled with Harry Potter stuff because I am so in-love with these books!!!

Andy from Reading

I have heard a lot of criticism of these books by quite a few adults, and whilst the writing may not be the best they are quite clearly wrong. These books have successfully engaged not just millions of young people across the world but millions of adults as well. Any author who can achieve such a following must be doing something right. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the story and go with the flow, yes there are shortcomings, however in this case it doesn't really matter if it gets millions of people engaged in reading.

Sarah from London

GREAT! That's all I can say!

Cat Fitzpatrick from London

A children's classic, what more can you say? Luckily I was eleven when the first book came out so I was the right age to follow them over the years, but I go back to them again and again even though I'm an adult because there's so much joy to be had in this magic, vivid world. It's funny, charming, heart-breaking and utterly wonderful.

Visenna from Poland

Really great, but still rather for younger readers.

Ankita from India

I love to watch the Harry Potter series.

Adam from Gregory

J.K. Rowling has sharp, lucid prose that carries Harry Potter beyond the realms of simple children's fantasy and into that of timeless literature. It's accessible and clear but at times it can be poetic and downright funny. In addition to her concise writing style, Harry Potter is populated with interesting and relatable characters that the reader can (and will) fall in love with. Yes, you could argue the plot devices are nothing we haven't seen before. Sometimes they even border on cliche. And yes, you could also argue that the villain is a bit too simple on the morality side of things. But none of this really matters, because the Harry Potter series are a helluva lot of fun to read and have a blast-ended-skrewt-sized heart.

Ian from Lisburn

The greatest fantasy series of a generation. If you haven't read these books yet please come out of your cave and rejoin the rest of the world!!! They reminded me why I love reading and fantasy.

Sharnali from London

The Harry Potter books to me are AWESOME!!! They are legendary. J.K Rowling is an inspiration, a William Shakespeare of the present day! ;]

Leisale from Vanuatu

The only word I have for the Harry Potter series is that they are... AWESOME!!!!

Kaan Can from Turkey

Harry Potter's magical world was created perfectly by JK Rowling. It's really interesting!!! The book series and movies are great!! This is a world phenomenon!! Read these books!

Samir from Oran

I wasn't going to read the Harry Potter series because I thought it was an overrated children's book. But one day, I decided that I had to see for myself why so many people liked this series. I couldn't be more wrong. It's an amazing fantasy series with a very solid and interesting mythology. The first book is great but the following books are even better.

Laura from England

I love Harry Potter, I started reading it in primary school and I keep re-reading the whole series - it's amazing! I love the magic of it all, it's so unique. I must have read the series through at least 6 times now, and I don't get bored! They are brilliant. I love all the characters, they're so interesting. This book is just....wow! Not my favourite of the series but I still love it... I like it when they go through the trap door, it's hard to stop reading :)

9.7 /10 from 138 reviews

All JK Rowling Reviews

Harry Potter (Harry Potter)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Harry Potter Companion)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter Companion)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter: Book 1)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter: Book 2)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter: Book 3)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter: Book 4)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter: Book 5)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter: Book 6)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter: Book 7)

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Book Review

The Harry Potter series has been around for awhile now and has cemented itself into the fantasy genre. Though some may not take the series at the same level as a Lord of the Rings or a Wheel of Time, it deserves its own place at the table of fantasy book series. Today we are going to be looking at the first installment to the series Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and let you know what really makes this book magical.

Introduction to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

This book’s first edition was released in October of 1998 and was written by J.K. Rowling. The book is 309 pages long not including any table of contents. The pages are spread by 17 chapters. My copy has the illustrations at the top of each chapter, I am not sure if this is something that has changed in the many editions that have been released since.

The book starts off introducing the wizarding world from the vantage point of the Dursley’s who we later find out are the Aunt and Uncle of Harry Potter, a boy who’s parents were murdered while he managed to survive. The attack on Harry’s parents left a signature lightning bolt scar on his forehead.

This was a fantastic way to introduce a new different world to an audience and is done in a very creative way. I must applaud J. K. Rowling for setting up the story in this way as even though this book is fast paced, it steeps the reader into the world from a perspective that would likely be more like our own.

The story then takes a time leap to when Harry has grown up and gets a letter of acceptance into the magical school called Hogwarts. The Dursley’s are very against this and do whatever they can to keep Harry a normal boy in their eyes. They fail in this after taking drastic measures to stop the letters from being sent in larger and larger quantities. So the rest of the book is Harry Potter’s introduction to the the magical world that is unknown to us “Muggles” (the name given to non magical people).

Strengths of The Sorcerer’s Stone

This book has a lot going for it that will be reiterated as we continue on through the story. The descriptions are very vivid of locations and items as well as character motives. This leads to a pretty laid back and easy read. Understandably these books are children books, anyone of any age can enjoy these books though and really appreciate everything else they have to offer for a relatively small time commitment based on this books size.

The school year structure of this book and the subsequent books makes for a really easy method to control pace for the story. The ending ties in many story notes from earlier on in the book such as learning magical spells that come in handy at the end of the book, playing a game of chess. Paying attention in potions class. Even getting onto the schools Quidditch team (Which can be best defined to me as football on brooms.) plays a role in the end. Though it may seem silly how many points in the story are later used at the end to accomplish the overarching story, it satisfies me knowing that next to every chapter has meaningful content to the end goal in some way or another.

Character Introductions In Sorcerer’s Stone

Character introductions are very well done. It takes very little for each character to be painted into the mind of the reader as well as share the base level motives and beliefs of each. Though later books handle these ideas in a more deep and complex manner, the method that is done in this book tends to match the age of the characters in the book which is around 11. The way J K Rowling rights this allows for easy understanding and the same level for children around the age of these characters as they can relate to what is happening in the book easily.

Ron Weasly’s introductions feel like a introduction of kids becoming friends on their first day of school, and that is exactly what it is. Most people can relate to an introduction like that cause we have all experienced it in a way ourselves.

Hermione’s introduction is well handled also. Though not the same experience as Ron, we are treated to her joining the group later on in the story. I feel that this was a good idea as to not overload the reader with new characters right away. This allows for the descriptions of Hogwarts to fill in that space and establish the world better instead of create a bogged down character spaghetti.

Weaknesses of The Sorcerer’s Stone

Reading the book as an adult can make the resolution of these books seem childish and that is something that will continue on through most of the series as the characters are literal children. For this book specifically it would make one wonder why grown adults that have been through school themselves would not be able to accomplish simple puzzles that the trio Harry, Ron, and Hermione could do.

The book ends rather abruptly. The last chapter contains the end of the story as well as the final confrontation. This seemed rather jarring to me. I feel that it could have been handled with whole additional chapter that expands slightly on Harry’s return to the muggle world and show that he has learned that not all is the same as when he left. That he as a character has definitively grown apart from the wishes of his Aunt and Uncle and has a hunger to return back to the wizarding world.

Plot of The Sorcerer’s Stone

The plot of the book once the book has made it to the wizarding world and Hogwarts is very school oriented as well as getting Harry Potter situated in the wizarding world. When Harry finds that Hagrid, the groundskeeper of Hogwarts has helped the headmaster named Albus Dumbledore hide a mysterious item, he and his friends jump into action figure out what the item is and protect it. Along the way they get into trouble a few times leading them to go into several restricted sections of the castle that only increases their curiosity.

Throughout the book Harry also learns a lot about who he is and about his parents since they went to the same school of Hogwarts as himself. He also needs to come to terms with being a celebrity in the wizarding world that he has only just now discovered.

In the end, this book is an example of a series that can be enjoyable for children and adults. It’s a perfect book to grab and start reading to your kids, but also is a strong escapism book. It’s incredibly easy to get enveloped in the story and the characters. Everything is so well crafted and put together. Descriptions are rich and characters are well thought out and developed, especially for just the first book in a series of books.

If you want to find out where this book ranks in the series you can check out our ranking list for the Harry Potter book series here !

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a must read. Regardless of your age. If you have not read this book please take the time to do so, if just to understand why so many people love this series. If you want to pick up this book for yourself, you can use our affiliate link here. It helps out the site at no extra cost to you. I personally have all my books in a hard cover due to wanting them to all be in the same print format and the larger books tend to have weak bindings over time.

If you enjoyed this review, please share this around and comment below. What are your thoughts on the book? How does it compare to later books in the series? Comment below and let us know! We plan to review this entire series and then review all the movies as well. So check back, for more on this series in the future!

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

Harry Potter is the biggest-selling book series of all time. The books have gone on to produce one of the biggest movie series of all time. If you haven’t heard of Harry Potter, you’ve surely been living under a rock? But is the first book The Philosopher’s Stone actually any good?

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone book review

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase The Fellowship of the RIng via one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you to support the blog. These links do not affect my final opinion of the product.

An introduction to Harry Potter

For the one person reading this who’s never heard of Harry Potter – it’s a seven-book series written by British author J.K. Rowling. The Philosopher’s Stone , the first in the series was first published in 1997 to commercial and critical success. The first book was then turned into a film in 2001 to, once again, huge critical and commercial success. What then happened was a snowball effect that saw Harry Potter become a household name across the world and become synonymous with the British.

Harry Potter is a boy who was abandoned at a very young age with his nasty Aunt and Uncle who make him live under the stairs. One day he is visited by a man who tells him he’s a wizard and whisks him off to Hogwarts, the wizarding world’s most famous school. Harry then makes friends, saves the world multiple times and comes up against some of the darkest, most evil wizards to ever live, fighting alongside some of the most powerful and greatest too.

The books instilled a huge sense of friendship – they’re imaginative, they’re witty, they’re sad at times, happy at others. They are a journey unto themself with some of the latter books hitting the high-hundreds in page numbers. They’re a book series that will likely never be matched for popularity. But what is the first book like? If you read the first book now, would the same success snowball from it or was it the subsequent books that built upon it making it the phenomenon it is today?

Plot – 4.5/5

The plot of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is simple: a young boy lives with his mean aunt and uncle whom he despises. His Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia clearly dislike him and so treat him so, having him cook for them, clean for them and live underneath the stairs. One day he receives a letter saying he is due at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, however, his Aunt and Uncle quickly dismiss this and move away. He’s then visited by a large man, Hagrid who claims to be the groundskeeper at this school and tells him he must come with him to Hogwarts. On their journey there, Harry realises he’s incredibly famous due to the scar on his head: the most powerful evil wizard to ever live – Lord Voldemort – tried to kill him as a baby but he survived.

During his time at Hogwarts, he makes two very important friends Hermione and Ron – the three of them quickly realise that someone is trying o steal something from Hogwarts and people may well be in danger if they don’t soon figure it out.

It’s hard to review the plot for this first novel is there’s so much nostalgia and love for this series in my heart. However, even without this, I must say, I found my reread of it utterly captivating. I was turning the pages so quickly or always had the audiobook on. The mini-stories within the larger story are written at such a good pace that they’re interesting within their own right, let alone the overarching story and direction you can feel Rowling taking you in. It’s not the strongest Harry Potter book plot-wise – you’ll have to wait and find out which my favourite is as I slowly review them all – however, it is a very strong entry and has a first hundred pages that would captivate any reader.

Characters – 4.5/5

One of the things mentioned throughout the Harry Potter series is the incredible friendship that J.R. Rowling develops between the main three: Harry, Ron and Hermione. However is this friendship evident in the first book? Well… yes. It’s obvious Rowling was aiming this book at people in high school – the relationships are tricky and well earned and the dynamics between characters isn’t always smooth. But what builds over the book is an obvious bond between the three main characters. Ron is the nervous but pure-hearted character, Harry has been thrown into this world and must adapt to it around him and Hermione is a magical genius but who doesn’t necessarily play well with other people. How they all develop over the few hundred pages is great to see and definitely makes you want to read the subsequent books.

The supporting cast throughout this book is also utterly wonderful. Hagrid is the big friendly giant who you can’t help but love, Dumbeldore is a wise and mysterious character who seems to have much more going on than the simple role of Headmaster, Malfoy is utterly diabolical and annoying as all good enemies are, and everyone else that pops in either offers comic relief or builds on the storyline.

The Philosopher’s Stone summary – 5/5

If you’ve read the previous 900 words and gotten to this point then I congratulate you. If you’re somebody who has already read HP a million times over and are simply here to read another view – thank you. If you’re somebody who has never read the books and wants to know if they’re any good – I hope I’ve summarised the book well enough for you.

I would recommend Harry Potter to absolutely everybody. It transcends the fantasy or YA genres some would argue it fits into. The Philosopher’s Stone is a very solid first book and you can see why (after her many attempts to actually have it accepted by publishers – google it) J.K. Rowling hit a home run with this first novel.

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Is it Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone? Or is it really the first act in the lamentable tragedy of Albus Dumbledore? Arguably the most powerful wizard of all time, self-imposing a constraint on himself as the school headmaster to contain his lifetime lust for power and domination.

Intelligent enough to manipulate nearly every character throughout the course of the all seven books – either directly or indirectly – he has to be content with nurturing Potter who, by all accounts, is a reasonably mediocre wizard who is elevated by far more powerful witches and wizards around him.

Not forgetting it was Dumbledore himself who was partly at fault that Harry is an orphan in the first place.

Harry Potter, the boy who lived, the first instalment of a magic-fuelled Bildungsroman. 4/5

The first act of Albus Dumbledore, master manipulator, the man behind the curtain. Rowling creates a juggernaut of a character that shows evil on multiple levels… even hiding behind a warm smile, long silvery hair and half-moon glasses – 5/5

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Book review: the harry potter series by j.k. rowling.

Over the last month or so I have re-read the entire Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling . Something I haven’t done since I was a child. It reminded me why I feel in love with reading, a throwback to my childhood. A must read for everyone everywhere.

The series consists of seven books. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first book in the series. I gave it 5 stars. From the first chapter you are drawn into this fantastic world and that you just want to be part of. An adventure from the beginning to the very end. The friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione is also developed so naturally. I also love how much more assertive Harry is compared to the films.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book in the series. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book as it is my least favorite film in the series; I gave it 3 stars. There is so much cut out of the film compared to the book. I also love the introduction of Tom Riddle . Every villain needs a beginning.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was a 4-star read. I only marked it down as it did drag a tiny bit. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black are brilliant additions to the world. They provide a new layer of History to the world. They add back story and a new list of emotions for Harry to deal with.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a 5-star read. J.K. Rowling really stepped up her game with the introduction of the Triwizard Tournament ; I was hooked. I really enjoyed how the friendship between Harry and Ron was tested and how the relationship between Hermione and Harry blossomed. You really felt that they were friends through thick and thin. This book contained so much in its pages and all of it seemed relevant. The ending was so shocking, I couldn’t wait to pick up the next edition in the series.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was really long. The narrative was interesting, but I found it drawn out in parts. I only gave it 3 stars. I may have just be overloaded with info, but I found the climax hard to follow. There were a lot of characters and I felt it difficult to follow each strand of the battle. The ending was heart-breaking, another loss for the boy who has lost so much already.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was a 4-star read. I loved the expansion of the friendship group into the other houses besides Gryffindor lot. I felt in this book you got a real sense that the characters had matured. The twist and turns still surprised me after all these years. The twist at the end made me tear up. A twist that I didn’t see coming.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was a fantastic end to the series. A 4-star read, I only marked it down as I felt that it was a slow start to the action. This book had more twists and turns than a roller coaster. It incorporated so much and made a call back to each and every book in the series. I felt I didn’t fully appreciate this book the first time I read it. The characters throughout the series all play such critical roles both big and small.

J.K. Rowling has created something amazing with this series. Stories that don’t age and can be passed down. There is no age limit, they can be enjoyed by young and old. I think I’ll make it an annual read. I think I might even treat myself to the illustrated version for my next excursion into the fantastic wizarding world of Harry Potter .

“Harry Potter” Book Series Review

This post is outdated!

When I wrote my original review of the Harry Potter series, I was holding back with regard to some of my criticisms. With author J.K. Rowling using her considerable influence to spread transphobic propaganda , I feel it’s necessary to criticize both her political views and her work, which glorifies some truly repulsive ideas.

Hogwarts is a school that kidnaps and drowns its students for entertainment. Their death toll alone makes the average American school look safe by comparison. The Wizarding World is a society of slaveowners, and yet the author expects us to fall in love with their culture. The idea that abuse builds character is a central theme in Harry Potter .

Learn about why Harry Potter is really a crime against literature in my new article: Harry Potter, Transphobia, and Slavery Jokes .

In case you are still interested in reading this outdated piece, I’ve provided some helpful footnotes.

Harry Potter casts his first true patronus charm.

If you ask me what I think of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, my answer will likely depend on what day you ask me. Some days I’ll say I liked it, 1 some days I’ll hate it. In all honesty, however, my feelings towards Harry Potter are best described as “confused,” because there are a lot of things I really like about the series and a lot of things I really hate. All things considered, I usually wind up mostly ambivalent towards Rowling’s best-known work.

One of my biggest problems with the Harry Potter series is the lack of a consistent tone. The stories get gradually darker until about halfway through the series, at which point she abruptly changes her target audience from children to teenagers. As one might imagine if one gives this even a small amount of thought, this shift may have worked in the context of a series that’s still being written 2 , but it’s quite harmful to the longevity of a series.

Whether a conscious decision or not, Rowling’s tone-shift allowed her to keep up with a generation of fans who were growing ever nearer to adulthood; the stories became darker as their target audience grew older. Having a story grow with the age of its initial fanbase is an interesting idea. To my knowledge, no one else has tried this, and there’s a very good reason for that: because it’s a short-sighted move. When future generations start reading these stories from the beginning, they’re not going to wait a year before starting the next book; they’re going to start as soon as they can get their hands on it. The consequence of this is that when the tone changes mid-series, those who’ve become invested in the tone of the first three books will be jarred out of that investment.

On Divisions

Many stories grow darker as they progress, but this is almost never a conscious decision, and it is therefore a gradual process. In such cases the target audience doesn’t change. In Harry Potter, the change happens on a dime around the end of Book Four, alienating anyone who enjoyed the previous three books. It is therefore possible to divide the Harry Potter series into three distinct groups: the children’s books (consisting of the first three books); those directed at an older audience (consisting of the last three books); and book four, an outlier in that either audience might enjoy it equally (though not so thoroughly as they might enjoy the books in their own preferred block).

I feel Rowling’s decision to change her books’ audience to have been ill-conceived, not least because many adults enjoyed best the first three books. I also feel the quality of the series peaked with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 3 and then began to decline sharply with Order of the Phoenix.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Harry Potter and Ron Weasley arrive at Hogwarts.

The first book in the series was, in my opinion, really good. Colourful characters, an enjoyable tone with sufficient darkness, and an interesting world-within-a-world all made The Philosopher’s Stone a really good children’s book for both kids and adults. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was, at this point in the series, a fantastic—if not altogether original—setting. 4 It’s the little details at which Rowling excels, from the floating candles to the food on the table to the frankly ridiculous games her characters enjoy. That’s not to say there weren’t problems, but they weren’t at all noticeable unless one was searching for them.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter kills a basilisk with the sword of Godric Griffindor

My favourite out of the books in the series was the second, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, because I consider it to be the best-structured of the seven books, with all its compelling sub-plots coming together in the climax. All the first book’s strengths remain, as well as a greater sense of stakes, an unforgettable Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and an even better climax with the hero of the story fighting a giant snake with an ancient sword.

Sadly this is also where some of the big problems started. Harry’s treatment of the house-elf Dobby carries some unpleasant implications, as does Rowling’s decision to use comedically the idea of a slave being forced by his masters to inflict self-harm. Harry tricking Lucius Malfoy into freeing Dobby at the end was, on the surface, a good scene, but the implication that it is a reward for his help rather than an act in defence of his rights tainted it somewhat.

Despite my mixed feelings about the books and films, the 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets video game was quite fun. It has a compelling Legend of Zelda æsthetic and a memorable score by composer Jeremy Soule. By far my best memories of the Harry Potter series are of playing that janky old game.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Prisoner of Azkaban, unsurprisingly, was also really good, considered by many to be the best of the series. It certainly introduces some of the most interesting characters. My favourite part is the Marauders’ backstory, told by said interesting characters. And who could forget the dementors? 5 The climax, in spite of the typically mental time-travel logic, was also great.

Unfortunately Prizoner of Azkaban’s quality suffers somewhat as a result of its context concerning the later books in the series. You see, the first three books are essentially stand-alone stories, whereas the last four tell a continuous story divided only by the summer holiday. The problem with this is that Prisoner of Azkaban doesn’t really serve that much of a purpose when it comes to serving the greater story. All it really does is introduce some great new characters 6 … who won’t really have much to do with the plot henceforth. In fact, apart from Wormtail resurrecting Voldemort in the following book, these characters all die without having contributed much.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter Competes in the first Triwizard task.

Goblet of Fire is where the series starts to go off, although much of it is enjoyable. Things like the Unforgivable Curses are introduced here, which makes me wonder whether Rowling hadn’t thought them up till this point; this would prove to be the beginning in a series of ideas that she should have introduced earlier than she did. This is not to say that the book wasn’t a fun read, but the problems with this one were more noticeable than any problems with the previous three. 7

Among a number of other problems I won’t get into, Goblet of Fire also saw the return of Dobby, which I will elaborate on later in this article. The climax, although by no means terrible, did end in somewhat of a deus ex machina that could have been prevented by a brief Mad-Eye Moody lecture on Priori Incantatem. I didn’t think Amos Diggory casting a vaguely similar spell on Harry’s wand at the beginning to show it was possible was enough to excuse this.

Of course, this was the one in which Voldemort returned, and here was where the more-or-less episodic nature of the books changed to a more epic style, something I think worked against the books in the end.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Order of the Phoenix was my least-favourite of the series. In spite of its status as the longest, so far as I could tell it was mostly filler. Luna Lovegood is introduced out of bloody nowhere and, despite her being a likeable character, 8 it would have been nice to know she existed at least a book or two before she suddenly became important. This fifth book serves almost as the “calm before the storm,” but the consequence is that said calm isn’t especially interesting.

The Death of Sirius

Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, dies at the end of the fifth book.

The only thing of note that happens in Order of the Phoenix is that Sirius dies at the end, having done very little in the story, all told. His death scene is a bit confusing where the “Veil” is concerned, and the character of Bellatrix (the one who kills him) had only been properly introduced several pages ago.

Another problem is that everyone in the story has, with this fifth book, become inexplicably stupid. Every decision they make is so thick-headed that it’s hard not to hate Harry for everything that goes wrong, particularly as he causes the death of a character far more interesting than himself.

The Prophecy

The prophecy that is revealed at the end of the book seemed like it might be leading to a great twist at the end of the series, but it didn’t. Aside from this, I found the half-poetic nature of it slightly irritating; it’s far from the best-written prophecy I’ve read. Aside from its sloppy composition, the prophecy reveals at once too much and too little in many of the wrong ways, making it difficult to care about many of the dangers Harry will face in later books.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore prepare to dive into a memory.

Half-Blood Prince was better than Order of the Phoenix—way better. Dumbledore taking Harry under his wing was a breath of fresh air after the great deal of nothing in the previous book. Most of the sub-plots were interesting, particularly Harry and Dumbledore searching various memories for clues about the horcruxes and unearthing Voldemort’s fascinating backstory in the process. 9 Especially when compared with Order of the Phoenix, Half-blood Prince was compelling, and of the later books it’s quite possibly the best.

The Problems

The problems with this one are relatively small compared to those of the fifth book. The trend of putting Harry’s importance above the lives of all others continues, summed up with the line, “Your blood is far more precious than mine,” and it becomes annoying at times.

Ron and Hermione

Then there are the people who said that Harry, and not Ron, should have ended up with Hermione. I really hate agreeing with these people (especially after the idiotic “Zu-tara” relation-shipping craze), but in this case they were actually right! Ginny isn’t a character; she’s a prop. In fact, the only female character with whom Harry has a real friendship is Hermione. Aside from that, the Ron of these later books has increasingly become an unlikeable arsehole, especially as he mocks Hermione for actually having a moral compass and seems to betray Harry at every opportunity. As much as I hate agreeing with “shippers” like this, Harry and Hermione really should have ended up together, and Ron should have been left at the mercy of some dementors or something!

But again I must say that these problems don’t prevent Half-Blood Prince from being an enjoyable read less of a slog than Order of the Phoenix . The plot is compelling enough, the backstory is interesting, and the death at the end is far better-handled than the previous one.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

I tend to lose respect for modern authors who employ the tired device of killing a main character’s pet in a lazy attempt to gain pathos points without having to work for them. For another example, see my article on Game of Thrones . J. K. Rowling begins Deathly Hallows, the grand finale, by doing just that. As you might expect, Hedwig’s death is predictable, manipulative, and requires no skill to pull off. I also can’t help but wonder how this would have gone over with the audience of the earlier books. 10

Death creates the Elder Wand for the eldest of the

Fortunately, Deathly Hallows has more plot than Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince put together, and most of the time it’s a fun and compelling read in spite of its flaws. 11 As usual, the best parts are the backstory, whether it’s learning about Dumbledore’s history with Grindelwald or seeing Snape’s childhood through his memories. By far my favourite part was the Tale of the Three Brothers , a children’s fable of the Wizarding World. It’s in little stories like this that Rowling’s talent really shines, and I loved how the tale payed homage to Chaucer’s The Pardoner’s Tale .

There are, in my opinion, a lot of things to like about this final volume. 1 Deathly Hallows is very different from Order of the Phoenix in that where the fifth book has one or two really big things wrong with it, the seventh novel has many much smaller problems. I would say that, along with a great deal more things happening, Deathly Hallows has the most individual things wrong with it of any of the books. By Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , the genre is completely detached from that of the first book.

Props Die. Weep, Dammit!

I mentioned earlier the manipulative death of Hedwig the owl, but she is far from the only death in this bloodiest of the series. This wouldn’t be a problem if the deaths were even a tenth of what might be considered Boromir-quality, but as it is, they make Rowling seem rather lazy. She uses the deaths of background characters as a way to get an emotional response without doing much work. Some few of these background props, despite serving little purpose to the plot, are markedly more interesting than the main characters, and the story gets less interesting as each leaves it.

Rowling’s background characters are props—colourful and entertaining props, but props nonetheless. 12 Still she treats them as though they warrant proper character status. This would be all well and good had they sufficient impact on more important characters, but even Fred Weasley’s death impacts Ron far less than it should. In fact, I would go so far as to suggest that the Ron Weasley before his brother’s death is the same one we see mere hours afterward. Indeed, with a history like Ron’s, I’m surprised it didn’t lead to his betraying Harry again.

Killed to Compensate

There’s a bit in Order of the Phoenix where Ron’s father, Arthur Weasley, almost dies. Originally Rowling had intended to kill him off, but she decided to spare him for various reasons. To “compensate,” she decided to kill off Remus and Nymphadora near the end of the last book. Alright; to “compensate”? This sort of thinking should not be what drives a story. In most cases, characters should be killed off either to drive the development of other characters (as with Boromir), to move the plot forward (as with Boromir), or to drive home a point (as with Thorin, Kíli, and Fíli). Dumbledore’s death in Half-Blood Prince was the best in the series because it had a clear impact on the plot.

“I’ve Always Thought…”

It is in this book that we finally learn about Dumbledore’s dark past with the evil wizard Grindelwald. Rowling later revealed in an interview…

“I always thought of Dumbledore as gay. Dumbledore fell in love with Grindelwald, and that that added to his horror when Grindelwald showed himself to be what he was.”

Then you should have included that in the book ! That would have been awesome! Seriously, even ignoring that this might have made her massive readership more accepting of people’s differences, the relationship’s romantic nature would have made Dumbledore all the more interesting as a character. I cannot imagine why she chose not to put this in the book, but the decision deprives his character of that depth.

Post-Mortem Motivations

I also thought the character of Severus Snape, arguably Rowling’s best character, was wasted somewhat. As with many of Rowling’s best characters, you never learn Severus’s true motivations until after he’s dead—something that has become repetitive by this point. The problem with waiting till a character’s died is that by the time you find out what motivated them, they can no longer directly impact the plot. Perhaps this would be alright occasionally, but Rowling has made a habit of it.

Begging for a Twist

Neville Longbottom kills the horcrux Nagini

Speaking of characters being wasted, there’s Neville Longbottom to think about. This goes beyond Neville just being an interesting character who wasn’t used much; that’s all normal for these stories. When I spoke of Order of the Phoenix, I said that the prophecy seemed to be leading to a great twist. Well, that’s because there were two people who fit the criteria to be the Chosen One: Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom. When Neville pulled the sword out of the hat, I thought that finally that seed would bear fruit, but all Neville did was behead one horcrux—not bad, but I feel it was a missed opportunity to defy expectations. Instead, Harry returned from the dead and killed Voldemort himself as a contrived christ-figure.

Goblet of Fire onward, Harry has never gotten past a book’s climax without an unexpected deus ex machina saving his arse at the last minute, and I had hoped that he would, in the final battle, finally win due to his own strengths. Imagine my disappointment when, as I just mentioned, Harry comes back from the dead and I have no idea why!

The return of Gandalf in The Two Towers was explained well enough that I wasn’t confused. The explanation for Harry Potter’s unlikely survival, on the other hand, is both convoluted and non-existent. I would love it if someone could explain it to me, because I have absolutely no idea what was going on in that chapter. And why is Harry given the choice of whether to return to life or to board some spirit-train and die? Either he is dead or he isn’t !

The Unforgivable Curses

The final duel between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort

A less serious problem, yet one that irritated me a great deal, was that Rowling has made a huge deal of Harry being forced to use the three Unforgivable Curses over the course of the series. In Order of the Phoenix, following Sirius’s death, Harry tries to use the Cruciatus curse on Bellatrix Lestrange. In this book, a big deal is made of his using the Imperius curse for the first time, and then the Cruciatus—this time successfully. It all seemed to be building up to the final duel, where Harry would of course be forced to use the final curse, Avada Kedavra , on Voldemort… except that he didn’t! All this buildup goes nowhere, and Harry just shouts, “Expelliarmus!” which does the job, for some reason. I found this thoroughly unsatisfying.

The Flaw in the Plan

Another problem I have with Deathly Hallows is that Dumbledore seemingly had an unbeatable plan, and everything proceeded according to that plan. All the examples are in this last book. Somehow he knew how every character would react to every situation that he somehow knew would befall them. This makes the climax quite a let-down as there was no way Voldemort could have been victorious. To worsen matters, almost every important sub-plot is abandoned on the spot the moment Voldemort dies by his own curse.

Had Neville turned out to be the chosen one or if the end of the story had been more like BBC’s Merlin, I could have forgiven almost all of the problems with this series. But the ending the author gave us was nothing special and gave no new meaning to any prior events.

Epilogue: Nineteen Years Later

Harry Potter with his too-perfect family in the epilogue.

I stand by what I said; Deathly Hallows is a fun read despite its flaws. The saccharine epilogue, however, is notoriously stupid! Everyone makes fun of this bit, and they’re entirely justified in doing so. The way-too-perfect future that Rowling’s surviving characters enjoy feels especially out of place after having just seen almost every interesting character slaughtered only a few pages ago. Who married whom and how many kids they had is not the sort of thing that belongs in the epilogue; that’s what an appendix is for.

Slavery Isn’t Funny!

I said earlier that the inconsistent tone was one of my biggest problems with the series. Well, my biggest problem with it is Rowling’s attempt to play slavery for laughs. For all the good things about Chamber of Secrets, the one big problem was the house-elf Dobby. House-elves are creatures permanently enslaved to their wizard masters. They have virtually no rights and may be abused without consequence; it’s basically like what the Americans did little more than a century ago, only it’s supposedly going on right under our noses in the nineties—because that’s funny, right?

Dobby the house-elf in Harry Potter's room.

Unlike when the Americans had slaves, in Rowling’s world of “childlike wonder” there has never been a single witch or wizard to question the rightness of owning house-elves as lifelong slaves to be beaten at one’s leisure—not even the great Harry Potter, who stopped at freeing just one. There were always people fighting to end American slavery, but not in the Wizarding World—the world Rowling sets so far apart from the abuse of the Dursleys.

The Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare

The only character who thinks there might be something wrong with this is the muggle-born Hermione, and it’s made perfectly clear she’s the only person who’s ever had any problem with the way house elves are treated… ever ! The fact that she’s essentially an outsider, having not been born to wizards, is used to imply that she’s naïve—that things are more complicated in the magical world. To any normal person reading this, Hermione is the heroine here, trying to organize the Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare (S.P.E.W.).

Everyone —from her classmates to the author herself—reacts to S.P.E.W. with mild amusement, because we’re meant to believe she’s taking the issue too seriously—as though this were some laughable grass-roots “save-the-wheat grass!” crusade or a protest against the violence in wizard’s chess. Even the acronym “S.P.E.W.” is a bloody joke , because the idea that slavery is wrong is something to laugh at, apparently! But it’s slavery—SLAVERY!

“They Like Being Enslaved”

But what does the ever-compassionate Hagrid have to say about all this?

“It would be doing them an unkindness, Hermione. It’s in their nature to look after humans; that’s what they like, see. You’d be making them unhappy to take away their work, and insulting them if you tried to pay them!”

Yes, the house-elves are indeed as happy with their lot as a plantation-owner would have had you believe his slaves were. As Ron succinctly put it, “they like being enslaved!” Even our “hero” Harry Potter owns a slave, and no one bats a bloody eye. If the sorcerers in Merlin were as repulsive as the wizards in Harry Potter, then I’d be firmly on Uther’s side!

Ambivalence

When I think about the books’ portrayal of slavery, I cannot help but be shocked that I don’t hate the series. I think, however, that the author simply didn’t think through the implications of anything she wrote; she had no idea what she was doing when it came to these issues. Rowling claims to have had the series planned out from the beginning, and I honestly don’t believe her. I think she had a rough outline, but there’s so little continuity between the first books and the later ones that I feel sure that this plan changed suddenly when she was halfway through the series.

The Potential for Greatness

In each of the seven books there were some great moments; even Order of the Phoenix had the Room of Requirement. Even as the end of the story drew near, I think the series had the potential for greatness, but I feel it fell short of what it could have been. Still, the first three books were, for the most part, really good—a part of me wishes she’d stopped at three.

In the end, I’m ambivalent towards the Harry Potter series. I don’t much like it, but I don’t dislike it either . 1 I just think it’s something to be learned from—perhaps as a cautionary tale.

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Yeah… that was my opinion back in my late teens, watered down by a naïve urge to give Harry Potter the benefit of the doubt. The author’s real-life bigotry has eliminated this urge. Now that I’ve analyzed the themes of these books more closely, I can confidently say that I hate J.K. Rowling’s books. For details, please check out my more recent and comprehensive article on the subject . ↩︎
Although, to be fair, I even found the abrupt change in tone off-putting when I read them as a kid. The moment the books started getting dark, one starts to question why no one died in the first three books. It’s not just that the change in tone alienates readers who’d got used to the original tone; it makes you retroactively interrogate the earlier books in light of the world the later books take place in. If all these Hogwarts students are getting killed now , then how come the basilisk’s victims in Book 2 all just happened to see the monster indirectly through various lucky coincidences? Do they have children’s book plot armour or not? ↩︎
Having reexamined Chamber of Secrets as an adult, I must conclude that despite being the best-structured book in the series, it still doesn’t have much of a plot. It’s mostly school minutia filler. ↩︎
Truth be told, most of Philosopher’s Stone ‘s supposed strengths have been greatly overestimated, including by me. I think the trainwreck that followed caused me to look at the early books with rose-coloured glasses. ↩︎
Low-quality Ringwraith knock-offs though they are. ↩︎
Great characters by the standards of this series, anyway. ↩︎
Once again, “enjoyable” refers specifically to reading it as a child. More specifically, I originally read these books while waiting out a days-long car ride, so there wasn’t exactly much else to do at the time. ↩︎
As close to a likeable character as you’ll find in Rowling’s borderline-sociopathic roster, anyway. As it happens, Luna is one of many characters who do almost nothing throughout the rest of the series. ↩︎
Fascinating until you read the final book and find out how pointless everything was. And then, of course, you read it as an adult and realize that it basically amounted to “Tom Riddle was conceived through rape, and his mother was from a bad bloodline, and so he was born inherently evil.” ↩︎
I mean, before they’d aged into their late teens and—like most teenagers in the early 2000s—started craving edginess above all else. ↩︎
After slogging through Order of the Phoenix , even reading about angsty teenagers camping for chapter after chapter seems fun by comparison. ↩︎
Returning to the books as an adult does make one wonder how one could have thought these characters were entertaining. ↩︎

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling | Book Review

The Children’s Book Review | July 31, 2018

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Written by J.K. Rowling

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; Reissue edition (June 26, 2018)

ISBN-13: 978-1338299144

What to Expect: Fantasy and Magic

It is July 31. That means that it is Harry Potter’s birthday and the the perfect opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone .

Get your tickets ready. The grand, shiny red Hogwarts Express is ready to depart from platform 9 3/4, and you won’t want to miss the enchanting ride into the spellbinding wizarding world of Harry Potter.

Harry is an orphan who has been living with Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley Dursley since he was a baby. The Dursleys are plain despicable and make Harry sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. On Harry’s eleventh birthday, mysterious letters addressed to Harry Potter begin arriving at the house, and his aunt and uncle try everything they can to keep them from Harry. That’s when a very large looking man, Hagrid, shows up to deliver the letter in person, along with a very important message: “You’re a wizard, Harry!” Unknown to Harry, he isn’t just any wizard, he is a very famous wizard with a destiny waiting to be fulfilled; a destiny that explains the peculiar lightning bolt scar he has on his forehead. Harry’s whole world will be turned upside down as he embarks on a new and exciting journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

J.K Rowling’s writing is as magical as the story itself. The settings and locations provide rich backdrops for the page-turning drama that unfolds—Hogwarts is located in a remote location in a majestic castle nestled against the Forbidden Forest. Feel-good moments soften, and also propel, the ever-growing tension—amidst the flurry of new magical activities (flying broomsticks and playing the wizarding sport of choice, Quidditch) and lessons (‘Care of Magical Creatures’ and ‘Defense Against the Dark Arts’), it becomes apparent that a dark power is growing stronger … the kind of power that could only come from the most feared wizard … He Who Shall Not Be Named. Could Harry and his lightning bolt scar be somehow connected to this dark wizard? This question and more make it near impossible to stop at just one or two chapters a night!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is not to be missed by any reader, young or old. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this story, Scholastic has released new covers for the series, illustrated by Caldecott Medal-winning artist Brian Selznick. The covers are a kind of magic in their own right: when placed side by side, the seven covers make one spectacular picture that highlights the arc of the seven book series. Selznick’s artwork is fantastical and the cover design concept is genius!

Of course, there’s only one thing to do: Grab your invisibility cloak, and jump headfirst into this adventurous, mysterious, perilous, and highly entertaining book about muggles (non-magical) and magical folk.

Available Here:

About the author.

J.K. Rowling is the author of the record-breaking, multi-award-winning Harry Potter novels. Loved by fans around the world, the series has sold over 450 million copies, been translated into 80 languages, and made into eight blockbuster films. She has written three companion volumes in aid of charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (in aid of Comic Relief and Lumos), and The Tales of Beedle the Bard (in aid of Lumos), as well as a screenplay inspired by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them , which marked the start of a five-film series to be written by the author. She has also collaborated on a stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two , which opened in London’s West End in the summer of 2016. In 2012 J.K. Rowling’s digital company Pottermore was launched, where fans can enjoy news, features, and articles, as well as original content from J.K. Rowling. J.K. Rowling is also the author of The Casual Vacancy , a novel for adult readers, and the Strike crime series, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. She has received many awards and honors, including an OBE and Companion of Honour, France’s Légion d’honneur, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award.

About the Illustrator

Brian Selznick ’s books have garnered countless accolades worldwide, and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He is the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Invention of Hugo Cabret , adapted into Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning movie Hugo ; and Wonderstruck , adapted by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick; as well as The Marvels and Baby Monkey, Private Eye (co-written with Dr. David Serlin). Selznick divides his time between Brooklyn, New York, and San Diego, California.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , by J.K. Rowling, was reviewed by Bianca Schulze. Discover more books like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Books About Witches , Brian Selznick , Fantasy , Harry Potter , J.K. Rowling , Magic , and Wizard Books .

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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

My reply is , The book is so very nice

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

For people who want to enjoy an intriguing, fast paced novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the perfect book to read. It keeps you involved throughout the book as most chapters have cliffhangers at the end. This novel is the first of the seven famous Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling.

The book is about 11 year old Harry Potter, who receives a letter saying that he is invited to attend Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry. He then learns that a powerful wizard and his minions are after the sorcerer’s stone that will make this evil wizard immortal and undefeatable. Harry decides to go after the sorcerer’s stone before the wizard reaches it, but his loyal friends, Hermione and Ron don’t let Harry face this danger alone.

This book is full of fantasies and imagination like at one point, Harry Potter is asked to catch a flying golden ball while flying on his broomstick. Eventually Harry Potter stands on his broomstick and tries to reach for the ball, but he falls off the broomstick in a very tense moment. He unexpectedly throws up the golden ball winning the game for his team.

Harry Potter and a sorcerer stone is a good book to spark joy and imagination for anyone, regardless of age. But I would say it is most enjoyable for elementary school students, who can very well relate to the fantasy world. So I would say that it is a must read for younger audiences, but it’s a good read in general.

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Harry Potter film review

Have you seen any of the Harry Potter films? Practise your reading in English with this film review.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Film review: the harry potter film series.

The Harry Potter film series is famous all over the world and is loved by children, teenagers and adults. It's based on the books by JK Rowling. The first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , was released in 2001. The whole series consists of eight fantasy films. In each film the main character, Harry, is played by Daniel Radcliffe.

The story begins when 11-year-old orphan Harry discovers that his parents were wizards and he starts his education in magic at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he makes two close friends, Ron and Hermione, who share his adventures.

Each film ends dramatically, often with a battle between Harry and his worst enemy, the evil wizard Lord Voldemort.

The characters

As well as Harry, Ron and Hermione, there's a huge variety of characters, including students, professors, dark wizards, ghosts and fantasy creatures. Non-magic people are called Muggles. The cast is excellent. The acting's outstanding, and even the strangest of characters are totally believable.

The setting

The films are mainly set in Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which is in an ancient castle. There are moving staircases, portraits which can talk and move, and a dark forest where strange and dangerous creatures live.

The special effects

The special effects are amazing and make magic seem completely possible! The wizards' favourite sport, Quidditch, is played on broomsticks. Different techniques were used to create the effects that make the actors look as if they're flying.

Critic's opinion

The films are imaginative, funny, frightening and, of course, magical! What makes them so successful is that they combine action, fantasy and friendship.

If you like adventure and magic, you'll love the Harry Potter films!

Do you like the Harry Potter films? What other films do you like? Tell us about them!

I am a fan of Harry Potter. My favorite part is 6.

Harry Potter is a great movie

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I'm an adult and I just read the 'Harry Potter' series. Why it's not just for kids.

My boyfriend will tell you I don't have that many flaws. Can I be impatient? Sure. Do I get hangry? Absolutely.

But my biggest one? I never finished reading the " Harry Potter " series.

I know, I know. Cue the gasps. The outrage. The shame. If you're a millennial reading this, maybe you've stopped reading. If you're Gen Z reading this, you're probably ready to cancel me for bringing up the "Harry Potter" author in any remote way.

In an effort to appease my new beau – and admittedly check an item off my bucket list, as I had been a devoted fan of the movies for decades – I decided to actually read the original seven-book series . So that's exactly what I did from January through March of this year.

What did I find when I was done? There's power in revisiting childhood tales and giving into a bit of magic. You shouldn't let anyone – not even one of the movies' stars, Miriam Margolyes, who recently told adult Potter fans they "should be over that by now, " – tell you the stories are only for kids. Like anything else, enjoyment of Harry Potter books is far from being black and white.

Check out: USA TODAY's weekly Best-selling Booklist

In case you missed: 'Harry Potter' is having a moment again. Here's why.

Why did I stop reading 'Harry Potter' in the first place?

When I was younger, I devoured the first four books in the series. Like, stay-in-my-room-during-Thanksgiving-when-all-of-our-family-is-over devour. Then at some point during "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix," boredom took over so intensely that no spell could cure it. The movies fulfilled me enough, and I was OK not knowing the intricacies of the books vs. the films.

And then when critics slammed J.K. Rowling as transphobic – and I understood what they were talking about – I figured it's for the best I leave the books on their metaphorical shelf.

But something was always missing whenever " Harry Potter " whisked its way into a conversation. Someone would mention a scene in passing that wasn't in the movie. Someone would talk about staying up all night finishing the last book. I felt left out and there was only one way to correct that. I opted to listen to audiobooks instead and the reading (listening?) journey began.

Sigh: How trans 'Harry Potter' fans are grappling with J.K. Rowling's legacy after her transphobic comments

What Harry Potter means to me as an adult

Once I started listening to the books , I couldn't stop. The characters accompanied me on runs, train rides and while I cleaned my apartment. It was all-consuming. Magic flowed through my ears and into every part of me. I empathized with the woman on TikTok documenting her experience reading the books for the first time , who regularly entertains her followers with dramatic, dumbfounded reactions to various turns of the screw.

I grew up in hyper-speed with all the characters matriculating through Hogwarts, facing early problems like school pranks and Quidditch matches to confronting life, death and the unknown. I crashed into the Whomping Willow with Harry and Ron, heard the house elves' plight, accompanied Dumbledore and Harry in and out of the Pensieve.

This time around I paid even closer attention to the nuance. I felt compassion for everyone, even You-Know-Who sometimes. I recognized we're all a product of our upbringing, the friends (and enemies) that surround us and our teachers. While our inherent kindness, ambition, wit and courage can shine, these qualities take nurturing, too. When ambition envelops a person, it can spiral into greed and terror (Voldemort). Kindness can lead to your downfall (Cedric Diggory).

It's not enough to get sorted into Gryffindor and be blindly brave – as our heroes often learned the hard way. It means working with those around you and standing up for what is right even when it's scary.

Look, I get what Professor Sprout – err, Miriam Margolyes – is saying. I don't want my future wedding to be Harry Potter-themed. But that doesn't mean I can't smile thinking about Harry, Ron and Hermione walking about the Hogwarts grounds. I still get teary-eyed thinking about the sacrifices Snape made to secure Harry's safety. I wonder where I would've ended up at Hogwarts (Hufflepuff, probably).

While I don't understand Rowling's logic about, um, a lot of things, I can separate the art and the artist here enough to know reading and watching "Harry Potter" changed my life, again and again.

Now if only my boyfriend will finish " Grey's Anatomy ," then we're even.

J.K. Rowling Says She Won't Forgive Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson for Trans Stance

J.K. Rowling suggests she will not forgive her Harry Potter stars for going against her views on trans rights in the wake of a new report criticizing current gender care treatments for young people.

On Wednesday, the BBC reported on a four-year review investigating gender care commissioned by the NHS. The report concluded that gender services were based on "remarkably weak" evidence and that children had been "let down" by medical professionals. "The reality is we have no good evidence on the long-term outcomes of interventions [such as puberty blockers] to manage gender-related distress," wrote pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass. "It is unusual for us to give a potentially life-changing treatment to young people and not know what happens to them in adulthood."

Rowling, who has drawn considerable fire in recent years for her outspoken and staunch social media campaign against certain aspects of the trans rights movement, issued several comments about the report on X.

At one point, one of Rowling's followers said they were waiting for Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson - both of whom publicly broke with Rowling to issue comments supporting trans rights in 2020 - to "give you a very public apology … safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them."

Rowling replied , "Not safe, I'm afraid. Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces."

In 2020, Radcliffe replied to a Rowling tweet about the issue: "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I. According to The Trevor Project, 78% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported being the subject of discrimination due to their gender identity. It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities, and not cause further harm."

While Watson tweeted: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are. I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."

Rowling's comment was amid the author tweeting several times about the Cass report's conclusions in general.

"Over the last four years, Hilary Cass has conducted the most robust review of the medical evidence for transitioning children that's ever been conducted," Rowling wrote. "Mere hours after it was released to the press and public, committed ideologues are doubling down. The consequences of this scandal will play out for decades. You cheered it on. You did all you could to impede and misrepresent research. You tried to bully people out of their jobs for opposing you. Young people have been experimented on, left infertile and in pain. I thought the last tweet was going to be my last, but I just burst into tears. The #CassReview may be a watershed moment, but it comes too late for detransitioners who've written me heartbreaking letters of regret. Today's not a triumph, it's the laying bare of a tragedy. And if I sound angry, it's because I'm bloody angry. I read Cass this morning and my anger's been mounting all day. Kids have been irreversibly harmed, and thousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media and cynical corporations."

Rowling's position on the trans issue has been a source of awkwardness in her otherwise longtime and mutually beneficial relationship with Warner Bros., which has continued to explore new avenues of Wizarding World content. The studio has announced a reboot of the Harry Potter saga as a TV series for Max that will have a new cast and Rowling on board. Warner Bros. hopes to have the first season debut in 2026.

"I was in London a few weeks ago with Casey [Bloys, HBO and Max chief] and Channing [Dungey, WBD TV chief] and we spent some real time with J.K. and her team," Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav said earlier this year. "Both sides are thrilled to be reigniting this franchise. Our conversations were great, and we couldn't be more excited about what's ahead. We can't wait to share a decade of new stories with fans around the world on Max."

Screen Rant

The harry potter tv show can do a key character death justice after the original movies rushed past it.

The Harry Potter TV remake has the opportunity to give one character a proper send-off, even though the movie didn’t do his death justice.

HBO's Harry Potter TV show has the chance to fix past mistakes, like rushing through a key character death from Deathly Hallows.
The series can expand on battles and character arcs, providing a better platform for emotional send-offs that were lacking in the movies.
Mad-Eye Moody's death is a prime example of a missed opportunity in the books and films, highlighting the need for a more emotional farewell.

HBO's Harry Potter TV show has the opportunity to fix certain elements of the movies, and it can finally do a key character death justice after the initial adaptation rushed right past it . The Harry Potter movies have a positive legacy compared to many other book adaptations of their time. However, they don't always do the source material justice. In certain instances — like the Harry Potter movies' worst death — they even repeat the problems from J.K. Rowling's books. And this is the case for another key Harry Potter death , which deserves more attention in both the books and films.

Fortunately, Harry Potter will get a second chance on the small screen, and it can spend more time on details like that. A TV show's runtime will allow the supporting characters to be fleshed out further, and their send-offs can be treated with the weight that they deserve. Harry Potter 's battles can also be expanded and improved , something that would help several character deaths hit harder, including one Deathly Hallows - Part 1 speeds through too quickly.

Harry Potter Reboot Wishlist: 15 Things Fans Demand

Hbo's harry potter show can finally do mad-eye moody's death justice, the books & movies speed past his sacrifice.

Mad-Eye Moody is introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire — and though the real Moody doesn't show up until Order of the Phoenix, the character plays a prominent role in the latter half of the series. It's largely thanks to Moody that Harry escapes Privet Drive unharmed after his 17th birthday, and that doesn't get acknowledged enough. After all, Moody perishes getting Harry to safety in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 . Unfortunately, this is quickly rushed past with everything else happening during the Battle of the Seven Potters .

The Deathly Hallows movie doesn't show Moody's death in battle, nor does it give it adequate attention after it's announced.

The Deathly Hallows movie doesn't show Moody's death in battle, nor does it give it adequate attention after it's announced. The remaining Order members briefly mourn Moody, but developments like George Weasley losing his ear distract from the battle's major deaths. And while it's fair to say that things move quickly in battle, Moody isn't really mentioned again after his flight from Privet Drive. It's a disappointing way for his character to go, and it's something HBO's Harry Potter remake should rectify when it reaches the later books .

Mad-Eye Moody Deserved A Better Death In The Books & Movies

Even j.k. rowling's source material doesn't do it justice.

It's obvious that Mad-Eye Moody deserves a better send-off in the Harry Potter movies, but it's hard to blame them for failing this moment. After all, even the source material doesn't do Moody's death justice . Like the movies, the Harry Potter books don't actually show Moody going down fighting. This could have been portrayed as a valiant moment for a character who dedicated his life to fighting evil wizards. Showing his death on-screen would have allowed Moody to have one last epic scene before taking his final bow.

It's obvious that Mad-Eye Moody deserves a better send-off in the Harry Potter movies, but it's hard to blame them for failing this moment.

The books also move quickly during and after the Battle of the Seven Potters , with the characters jumping from loss to loss without time to truly grieve. While this is realistic, it doesn't work after failing to show Moody's final fight. Instead, it feels as though the character is an afterthought of the battle — a means of showing that people are dying during the war. The death is meant to pack a punch, but its lack of attention strips it of emotion. The Harry Potter TV show must ensure to fix that, making this moment a tearjerker instead.

How The Harry Potter Remake Can Give The Character A Better Send-Off

Showing the full battle of the seven potters is the best way to do it.

When it comes to giving Mad-Eye Moody a better send-off, the Harry Potter remake already has an easy way to do it. Rather than showing the Battle of the Seven Potters from Harry's perspective alone, the series should allow viewers to see this fight from multiple vantage points. This would make Moody's weight pack a greater punch , as fans would actually see it — and they'd get a reminder of what a great character he is right before it happens. It would also make the Battle of the Seven Potters more epic in general, as there's plenty of chaos that unfolds outside of Harry's sight.

Rather than showing the Battle of the Seven Potters from Harry's perspective alone, the series should allow viewers to see this fight from multiple vantage points.

Additionally, the HBO show should give Moody a more emotional send-off than a toast at the Burrow . It could change Harry Potter canon and have the Order recover Moody's body, enabling them to have a funeral to say goodbye. Of course, the characters could also host a funeral of sorts without the body. Moody certainly deserves a proper send-off, so the Harry Potter series must find a way to make it happen.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter is HBO's remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling's popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did. Upon the announcement of the Harry Potter TV show, the series received harsh criticism for the involvement of Rowling and for many thinking a reboot was unnecessary.

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'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling criticised for gender views

LONDON - British author JK Rowling, who scored stellar success with her series about the boy wizard Harry Potter, has courted controversy online and even death threats because of her outspoken views on gender identity.

Her position that biological sex is immutable has made her a darling of some feminists over the years, but incurred the wrath of transgender rights activists, who have called for her to be “cancelled”.

Rowling, 58, denies charges of transphobia that have tarnished the global success of the Harry Potter books, which have sold a staggering 600 million copies worldwide.

The latest row on social media blew up last week after the Scottish government in Edinburgh, where Rowling lives, passed a law criminalising hate speech, including against transgender people.

Rowling, who lives in the city with her second husband, on April 1 published a volley of messages about transgender women on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, including several convicted of sexual offences.

“Obviously, the people mentioned in the above tweets aren’t women at all, but men, every last one of them,” she wrote.

The new legislation, she added, was “wide open” to abuse those wanting to silence advocates of women and girls’ single-sex spaces, and predatory men identifying as women.

“Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal,” she added, saying she welcomed arrest.

Police said complaints about the post were not criminal as the comments predictably triggered a firestorm, including from those for whom gender identity has become a “culture war” issue, such as Britain’s right-wing media and politicians.

The right-wing Daily Mail newspaper called Rowling a “hero”.

Rowling’s transformation from almost universally popular children’s author to a hate figure for supporters of gender identity began back in 2018.

The writer liked a post on Twitter – the forerunner to X – by a woman who described transgender women as “men in dresses”.

She apologised after attracting criticism. Then in 2019, she publicly defended a woman who was sacked from her job after posting what were deemed to be transphobic tweets.

In 2020, Rowling also sarcastically replied to a description of “people who menstruate”, writing: “I’m sure there used to be a word for those people.

“Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?“

The comment earned her the rebuke of her Harry Potter prodigies, including Daniel Radcliffe who played the boy wizard in the film franchise of the books, who publicly disassociated himself from her.

Two years later, Rowling spoke out again when Scotland, which has some devolved legislative powers, proposed making it simpler for people to change their legal gender.

The UK government stepped in to block the bill going through at the devolved Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Rowling calls herself a militant feminist, and has revealed how she had been a victim of domestic violence.

Women’s rights, she argued, could be threatened by some supporters of transgender rights and has spoken out about allowing transgender women to use changing rooms, toilets or prisons designated for women only.

Born on July 31, 1965 in the town of Chipping Sodbury in western England, Joanne Rowling began writing at an early age, telling stories she had dreamt up in her imagination.

After studying French, she became a translator at Amnesty International in London, then on a train trip to Manchester came up with the story of Harry Potter and his adventures at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

She taught English in Portugal where she married her first husband and had a daughter.

She worked on the Potter books every morning before work, continuing after she returned home in 1995, and moved to Scotland following her divorce.

Rowling struggled and was receiving welfare payments when the publishing house Bloomsbury finally accepted her fantastical creation.

Within a few years she and Harry Potter were a global phenomenon, shifting more than 600 million copies in over 80 languages.

The eight films based on the books have raked in some US$8 billion, making Rowling a millionaire several times over.

Despite the furore about her views on gender identity, she admitted in the podcast “The Witch Trials of JK Rowling” that she was “not uncomfortable about getting off (her) pedestal” and speaking her mind. AFP

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JK Rowling says Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson can ‘save their apologies’

Author has suggested she won’t 'forgive' actors for questioning her trans views, article bookmarked.

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JK Rowling has told Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson to “save their apologies” as their relationships continue to sour over their positions on trans rights.

The author, who once had a close relationship with the pair when they starred in the film adaptations of her wizarding world novels, criticised the stars in the wake of a landmark review into gender treatment in the UK.

Rowling, who first f aced a backlash from several key cast members when she shared controversial remarks about the trans community in 2020, has seen her relationship with stars deteriorate amid increasingly toxic debate.

Radcliffe, who played lead character Harry Potter, previously wrote an essay for The Trevor Project as a way of showing support for the trans community , and apologised “for the pain” Rowling’s comments have caused the Harry Potter fandom.

Meanwhile, Watson wrote : “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are,” and appeared to make a dig at Rowling at the Baftas in 2022.

JK Rowling and the row over trans rights: Timeline of author’s fall out with Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson
JK Rowling’s latest intervention on trans rights is unnecessarily provocative
For her many critics, arresting JK Rowling wouldn’t have made her anti-trans comments any less harmful

However, following the release of the Cass report this week , Rowling took aim at Radcliffe and Watson, telling them to “save their apologies” for “traumatised detransitioners”.

The row reignited when, one X/Twitter commenter, whose account name include the phrase “FarRightHooligan”, wrote to Rowling: “Just waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology … safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them.”

Rowling responded: “Not safe, I’m afraid. Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.”

Her comment comes after it was reported the author could be investigated by police for misgendering trans people under Scotland’s new hate crime law .

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The SNP party’s community safety minister, Siobhian Brown, had previously claimed that misgendering – for example, using the pronoun “he” when talking about a trans woman – would not count as a hate crime, but she has now said it would be a police decision.

However, Rowling, who has frequently argued online that trans women are not women, vowed to continue “calling a man a man” despite what she called the “ludicrous law”, and said she would not delete social media posts that could breach hate crime laws.

The author has long been a fierce critic of the Scottish Government’s gender reform plans , arguing the proposals infringe on women’s safety.

She has previously stated that she would rather go to jail than refer to a trans person by their preferred pronouns.

Ultimately, police said that Rowling’s comments about new hate crime laws “are not assessed to be criminal” and confirmed no further action would be taken.

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Messianic purpose … Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone review – 20 years on, it’s a nostalgic spectacular

The first film in the franchise is re-released into a very different world – but it’s as entertaining and exhilarating as ever

T he very first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or “Sorcerer’s Stone” for its release in the United States, where audiences were assumed to be unfamiliar with this alchemical term) is now re-released after 20 years, into a rather different world. Sadly, the actors who played the original Dumbledore, Snape, Uncle Vernon and Mr Ollivander – Richard Harris, Alan Rickman , Richard Griffiths and John Hurt – are no longer with us. The Harry Potter franchise itself is still a colossal commercial entity, an IP Shangri La, although its creator JK Rowling is now at the centre of an acrimonious gender politics debate – undreamed of in 2001 – and the world of children’s and YA fiction, which she almost singlehandedly revived all over the world, is strongly policed on just these issues.

It’s amazing and poignant to remember the sheer excitement of that HPATPS premiere in November 2001: I myself called it an “old-fashioned pre-September 11 news event”. Harry Potter emerged into cinemas as we were still all stunned by 9/11, but yet to see the retaliatory “war on terror”. This film, emerging four years after the original novel, marked the birth of a new consolatory pop culture myth, to rival Sherlock Holmes and James Bond, and the circumstances of its own arrival became mythic, from Rowling’s own early poverty to the snapping up of film rights.

Warner Bros had gambled on three cherubically young actors to carry the series through their own adolescence to its finale: Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, Emma Watson as Hermione and Rupert Grint as Ron. Opinions on the acting may divide here, and it was admittedly Robert Pattinson (playing Cedric Diggory in Goblet of Fire), who had the real career staying power. But I can’t think of these characters played by any other actors: the thought of the stories being remade or re-adapted with a different cast is heresy. I even grew to like Grint’s very broad, goofy acting, in which he was encouraged by director Chris Columbus at the outset. Radcliffe’s bespectacled moon face looks heartbreakingly unformed.

In the film we see Harry Potter coming to terms with his messianic purpose: he is released from his Dickensian incarceration in the Dursley household and sent for his first term at Hogwarts with its public-school/Oxbridge traditions. Harry learns how to play quidditch (like Tom Brown learning rugby) and he and his three pals are sorted into their various houses; they encounter the formidable teaching staff, including Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Professor Quirrell (Ian Hart) and Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) and then meet the challenge of a deadly assault on Harry.

And it’s still a very entertaining and spectacular movie, with a rush of nostalgia to go alongside the exhilaration of fun, even though some of the “flying” effects during the big quidditch match aren’t quite what we’re used to in 2021. “Wingardium Leviosa,” says the earnest, wide-eyed Hermione … and the story is airborne again.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
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With a Reboot, This Harry Potter Storyline Could Finally Get Justice

It's time for these characters to shine!

The Big Picture

The upcoming Harry Potter reboot TV show has the opportunity to explore elements from the books that didn't make it into the films.
The house-elves, who play a major role in the story, were largely overlooked in the film adaptations.
The show can correct this oversight by delving deeper into the house-elf storyline, including Winky, S.P.E.W., and the house-elves bravely participating in the Battle of Hogwarts.

It's a well-known fact that Harry Potter is one of the most recognizable book series around. The film adaptions gained a lot of popularity as well. Overall, the movies stuck closely to the book's plot , but they were not perfect. With the announcement of a Harry Potter reboot TV show coming to Max in the not-too-distant future, elements from the books that didn't appear in the film can get a spotlight. The streaming service has remained tight-lipped about the project, but David Heyman , who worked as a producer on the films and is set to be the executive producer of the series, claims the show "explores the books more deeply." However, he insisted the project is in the early days, meaning it could be a while before more news comes. Yet there is some information about the series floating around. Despite the controversy surrounding author J.K. Rowling , she is involved in the new adaption. But there is more information about who won't be involved with the films' director, David Yates, and the original Harry, Daniel Radcliff , and denying a connection to the show .

Though at first glance, it seems to be an odd choice to start over with material that has already appeared onscreen, the show can finally bring to the screen what the films left out. Time constraints required several significant pieces to be cut from the films , and Heyman's statement suggests that will change in the show. Though the series will still have a time limit as well, it will not be quite so restrictive. Assumedly, the show will dedicate roughly a season per book, so each book will get more time to fill. Where movies run about two to three hours long, shows often get between eight and ten episodes that are an hour each, effectively tripling the time allotted for each book. This means that fans will be able to enjoy many things that didn't make the cut the first time around. Everything from Peeves to Voldemort's full backstory now has a chance. Yet one storyline that didn't make it in the films, in particular, deserves to appear finally. Unlike the films, the books have a heavy focus on the plight of house-elves and their significance to the fight against Voldemort. These creatures receive very little time in the adaption despite their major role in the story, and it's time for them to get justice.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling's popular children's novels about Harry Potter, a boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards. There, he meets several friends who become his closest allies and help him discover the truth about his parents' mysterious deaths.

What Are House-elves?

Remembered primarily for the actions of the hero, Dobby ( Toby Jones ), house-elves are creatures in the Wizarding World who mainly function as slave labor, but this doesn't seem to bother most people in the universe. They are often servants in Pureblood households or at wizarding institutions like Hogwarts. They are fiercely loyal creatures. For proof, look at Dobby's relationship with Harry and his willingness to die for his friend . But sometimes wizards aren't so kind, yet house-elves are still loyal to a fault. Before Dobby gets his freedom, he is stuck with the Malfoy family , and when he disobeys orders, he's compelled to hurt himself.

During the story, many house-elves are oppressed, despite the Ministry of Magic's Elvish Legislation . Dobby claims it was worse when Voldemort was in power, hence his love for Harry. Yet even once Voldemort was gone, Dobby and others like him were still in bad situations. The Malfoys were unkind to Dobby at every turn. Whatever bound house-elves to their wizard masters forced obedience and can be broken if their master presents them with clothes. Though these meek creatures are given a low status among magical beings, house-elves have their own kind of magic that isn't subject to the same limitations as wizards, which is useful when they are helping the heroes. Though Hogwarts is full of house-elves, only two appear in the films, Dobby and the Black family's Kreacher ( Simon McBurney ). These two play an important role, though Dobby is cut from both Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix . Along with these appearances, the films remove Winky, another crucial house-elf. Her presence is one of the many oversights the series can correct.

What Did The Films Leave Out About House-Elves?

One of the main elements of the house-elf story that didn't make it in the films is the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare or S.P.E.W. In the books, Hermione ( Emma Watson ) isn't just the smartest girl in her year, but also a passionate activist who fights for fair treatment for the house-elves. Her unfortunately-named organization promotes house-elf rights. This subplot explores Hermione's characterization and her sense of justice. However, she doesn't go about helping the house-elves in the best way. Hermione knits clothing and hides it around the Gryffindor common room to free the house-elves who come to clean, but before long, only Dobby is willing to clean the room because the rest fear finding clothes. After generations of enslavement, the house-elves are wary of freedom. They have lived one way for so long that they developed a society that conforms to it. For most elves, being set free is shameful, and even Dobby's delight in his freedom can't change that. He's looked down on for being a free elf. Though the character is cut from the films, the books include Winky, formerly the Crouch's elf, who is ashamed of her freedom. Dobby and Winky allow for the concept of house elves and their treatment and norms to be explored in depth in the books and could do the same for a show.

The Battle of Hogwarts gave an unusual chance for house-elves to show bravery. Though Ron ( Rupert Grint ) and Hermione gave them a chance to escape, some decided to fight. None other than Kreacher, formerly the Black family's elf who shared their prejudices, leads the Hogwarts house-elves into battle to protect the castle. Kreacher's battle cry calls Harry Potter the defender of house-elves, and it references his former master Regulus Black, who opposed Voldemort, but the books don't explore why the Hogwarts house-elves joined the battle. It could be self-protection or extreme loyalty to the masters at Hogwarts, but whatever the motivation, it is a bold move for the small creatures. The moment is also a milestone in Kreacher's development, who was abused by Voldemort himself. When introduced, Kreacher shows loyalty to the Black family and hatred towards Harry and his friends, calling them Mudbloods and blood traitors. But as they show him kindness and align themselves with Regulus Black, he becomes more agreeable until he eventually charges into battle against Voldemort. The films ignored Kreacher's redemption arc, despite it beating Severus Snape's ( Alan Rickman ) convoluted characterization to become the best example of redemption in the story.

How Can The New 'Harry Potter' Show Fix This Mistake?

With more time to develop the story , the upcoming reboot could offer the house-elves the focus they deserve. Including Winky's character and having Dobby present throughout the story, would allow the series to explore the norms and society of house-elves, especially the ones living at Hogwarts. Likewise, adapting the S.P.E.W. plot would bring in how the house-elves view freedom, despite their less-than-ideal situations. This ties in the Voldemort's prejudices, showing how so many wizards would follow him. Additionally, this could demonstrate Hermione's ability to relate her issues as a muggleborn witch to others who are mistreated.

Including Kreacher's development would expand that house-elf story, allowing it to accumulate in their participation in the Battle of Hogwarts. Giving the house-elves their due would provide a great story for the series and differentiate it from the films. The story isn't resolved in the books, as the creatures are still oppressed and resisting freedom. But it is yet another example of the Wizarding World's struggle with prejudices. Though the characters face one head-on, they have more to do after Voldemort's death. The messiness of the situation forces the audience to think critically, which is the beauty of this storyline. The house-elf plot is largely lost in the films, but, with another adaptation, this storyline could finally get the focus it deserves.

The Harry Potter films are available to watch on Max in the U.S.

WATCH ON MAX

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COMMENTS

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Review
Lasting effect on the reader. 4.5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Book Review. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling is a thrilling read that hooks the reader from page one. Published in the year 1997, it is one of the highest grossing novels ever written. Some elements of the novel like its elaborate yet ...
Harry Potter And the Sorcerer's Stone: Book Review
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone novel by J. K. Rowling. Suspicious activity at Hogwarts like a three-headed dog guarding a trap door and a troll somehow entering and attacking Hogwarts makes the trio suspicious. Harry, Ron, and Hermione soon discover Professor Dumbledore is hiding something at Hogwarts and someone is trying hard to ...
[Book Review] 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by J.K. Rowling
The story builds toward the exciting conclusion that has the ultimate feel-good factor. Ameya Rating: . In conclusion, this epic journey out of the Muggle world and into the school and world of witchcraft and wizardry bags 4 out of 5 stars. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a must-read for anyone within the age-group of 8 to 600 ...
Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling
The Chamber of Secrets - I liked it at the time, but can't remember why (not a good sign). The Prisoner of Azkaban - ditto (one word that sums up 300 odd pages). The Goblet of Fire - almost ...
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
The first book is Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The story starts with Number 4 Privet Drive about a boy called Harry Potter who lives in the cupboard under the stairs of a house owned ...
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
At Hogwarts Harry realises he's special and his adventures begin when he and his new friends Ron and Hermione attempt to unravel the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone. I can read this book over ...
A review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone By J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone By J. K. Rowling Bloomsbury Pub Ltd Paperback: 224 pages, Feb 2000, ISBN-13: 978-0747532743. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J. K. Rowling is a book about bravery and courage. As Professor Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, says "It takes a ...
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J.K. Rowling, Olly Moss (Illustrator) 4.47. 10,053,419 ratings162,330 reviews. An alternative cover for this ASIN can be found here. "Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter 'H'." Harry Potter has never even heard of ...
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
With the help of his new friends Ron and Hermione, Harry solves a mystery involving a sorcerer's stone that ultimately takes him to the evil Voldemort. This hugely enjoyable fantasy is filled with imaginative details, from oddly flavored jelly beans to dragons' eggs hatched on the hearth. It's slanted toward action-oriented readers, who ...
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling book review
Find out in Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone . This book is great for all ages.The author J.K Rowling created a world full of adventure,fun and mystical places and creatures.This is only the first book from a set of seven.People all around the world would love this series.This book is one of the greatest books I have ever read.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Book Review
The school year structure of this book and the subsequent books makes for a really easy method to control pace for the story. The ending ties in many story notes from earlier on in the book such as learning magical spells that come in handy at the end of the book, playing a game of chess. Paying attention in potions class.
Book review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
An introduction to Harry Potter. For the one person reading this who's never heard of Harry Potter - it's a seven-book series written by British author J.K. Rowling. The Philosopher's Stone, the first in the series was first published in 1997 to commercial and critical success. The first book was then turned into a film in 2001 to, once ...
Book Review: The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the first book in the series. I gave it 5 stars. From the first chapter you are drawn into this fantastic world and that you just want to be part of. An adventure from the beginning to the very end. The friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione is also developed so naturally.
"Harry Potter" Book Series Review
Despite my mixed feelings about the books and films, the 2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets video game was quite fun. It has a compelling Legend of Zelda æsthetic and a memorable score by composer Jeremy Soule. By far my best memories of the Harry Potter series are of playing that janky old game.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling
Written by J.K. Rowling. Age Range: 8 and up. Paperback: 336 pages. Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; Reissue edition (June 26, 2018) ISBN-13: 978-1338299144. What to Expect: Fantasy and Magic. It is July 31. That means that it is Harry Potter's birthday and the the perfect opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and ...
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Review. For people who want to enjoy an intriguing, fast paced novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the perfect book to read. It keeps you involved throughout the book as most chapters have cliffhangers at the end. This novel is the first of the seven famous Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. The book is about 11 year old Harry ...
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Full Book Summary
A short summary of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Search all of SparkNotes Search. ... where Harry is fitted for his school uniform. Harry buys books, ingredients for potions, and, finally, a magic wand—the companion wand to ...
Harry Potter film review
The Harry Potter film series is famous all over the world and is loved by children, teenagers and adults. It's based on the books by JK Rowling. The first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was released in 2001. The whole series consists of eight fantasy films. In each film the main character, Harry, is played by Daniel Radcliffe.
Short Summary of the Harry Potter Series By J.K. Rowling
Aug 17, 2023. The "Harry Potter" series, written by J.K. Rowling, follows the magical journey of a young orphan named Harry Potter. On his eleventh birthday, Harry discovers that he is a ...
I read the 'Harry Potter' series as an adult. It's not just for kids
What Harry Potter means to me as an adult. Once I started listening to the books, I couldn't stop. The characters accompanied me on runs, train rides and while I cleaned my apartment. It was all ...
'It Was A Strange Thing': The Harry Potter Movies Were A Huge ...
Speaking with Collider on behalf of a new set of Harry Potter Funko toys, brought to the world by Kinder chocolate, the star reminisced about his time working on all eight films in Warner Bros ...
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
As always with Rowling's books, I loved Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! JK Rowling's words have a curious habit of coming to life, and her characters are funny, and realistic.
J.K. Rowling Says She Won't Forgive Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson ...
The studio has announced a reboot of the Harry Potter saga as a TV series for Max that will have a new cast and Rowling on board. Warner Bros. hopes to have the first season debut in 2026.
The Harry Potter TV Show Can Do A Key Character Death Justice After The
HBO's Harry Potter TV show has the opportunity to fix certain elements of the movies, and it can finally do a key character death justice after the initial adaptation rushed right past it.The Harry Potter movies have a positive legacy compared to many other book adaptations of their time. However, they don't always do the source material justice. In certain instances — like the Harry Potter ...
'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling criticised for gender views
Apr 06, 2024, 07:00 AM. LONDON - British author JK Rowling, who scored stellar success with her series about the boy wizard Harry Potter, has courted controversy online and even death threats ...
Harry Potter: JK Rowling says Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson can
JK Rowling has told Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson to "save their apologies" as their relationships continue to sour over their positions on trans rights. The author, who ...
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone review
In the film we see Harry Potter coming to terms with his messianic purpose: he is released from his Dickensian incarceration in the Dursley household and sent for his first term at Hogwarts with ...
With a Reboot, This Harry Potter Storyline Could Finally Get Justice
Before Dobby gets his freedom, he is stuck with the Malfoy family, and when he disobeys orders, he's compelled to hurt himself. During the story, many house-elves are oppressed, despite the ...

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Discovering the Story World and Magic as a Metaphor

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[Book Review] ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ by J.K. Rowling

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A review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone By J. K. Rowling

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HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL

THE LAST EVER AFTER

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling (Harry Potter: Book 1)

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Book Review

Introduction to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Strengths of The Sorcerer’s Stone

Character Introductions In Sorcerer’s Stone

Weaknesses of The Sorcerer’s Stone

Plot of The Sorcerer’s Stone

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

An introduction to Harry Potter

Plot – 4.5/5

Characters – 4.5/5

The Philosopher’s Stone summary – 5/5

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“Harry Potter” Book Series Review

On Divisions

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The Death of Sirius

The Prophecy

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Problems

Ron and Hermione

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Props Die. Weep, Dammit!

Killed to Compensate

“I’ve Always Thought…”

Post-Mortem Motivations

Begging for a Twist

The Unforgivable Curses

The Flaw in the Plan

Epilogue: Nineteen Years Later

Slavery Isn’t Funny!

The Society for the Protection of Elfish Welfare

“They Like Being Enslaved”

Ambivalence

The Potential for Greatness

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling | Book Review