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

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
ISBN: 0-590-35340-3
309 pages
Arthur A. Levine Books, 1998 edition

An obvious classic in the world of kids books and one that has sparked a worldwide craze, this is the first story in J.K. Rowling's set of seven Harry Potter books. This is the only of the series that I have read, but my not reading the others is no indication of my dislike for the movie, I just never got around to reading any of the others.

Description:

'The Sorcerer's Stone' begins the tale of Harry Potter, the young wizard whose time at the Hogwarts school has no made its' way into the world of popular culture. However, Harry's life does not begin so fantastically. Harry is left on the front step of his nasty aunt and uncle after his parents are killed by Voldemort, the evil wizard known as "he who must not be named". Harry is miserable in his life with his aunt, uncle and their son Dudley when around his eleventh birthday he begins to receive a vast number of letters in blank envelops that he never gets to read on the account of his mean uncle. Harry soon is saved from his horrid life by Hagrid, who informs him of his wizard ancestry and the school at Hogwarts. While on his way to catch the train to Hogwarts from the strange platform numbered 9 and 3/4, Harry meets Draco Malfoy and Ron Weasley; his enemy and best friend (respectively) throughout the rest of the books and subsequent movies. At Hogwarts, Harry gets caught up immediately in an adventure that puts not only his own life at rick, but places the whole of Hogwarts in his hands.

Review:

Beloved by fans all over the world and I can see why. The story is fun, exciting and keeps up an incredible pace that will surprise readers. Having seen the movies (not all of them) before reading the book, I was surprised to find how much of the book takes place before Harry makes his way to Hogwarts. In the movie, the transition is made much earlier. I guess normal humans (called muggles derisively throughout the book and films) are not as exciting. The chosen one, Luke Skywalker type aesthetic is laid on pretty thick and the good versus evil dynamic is a little bit too much. But the story is really enthralling, making you not want to put the book down even for a second. I am sure that I don't really have to recommend this, as it seems almost as if everyone has read it already. With that said, it really is a great book that is truly a fun ride.