Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone (#1)- Good Reads Book Review #4

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone By J.K Rowling
My Rating 5 out of 5 Stars

Have you ever stopped to think about a world much different than ours? A world full of mystery, magic and wonders beyond belief. Harry Potter had never even dreamt of such a world existing, until he discovered he was a part of it. “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone” is the first of seven book series that you should read within your lifetime. It is a must-read especially if you enjoy reading fantasy and fiction. This book is very straight-forward, but still incorporates some mystery, and is packed full of action, along with some humor as well. What I like about it is that is not like any other fantasy you heard of. It’s purely original and almost everybody has at least heard of it. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” is the beginning of a compelling tale that can and should be read by all ages.

To begin with Harry Potter was orphaned as a baby and was sent to live with his odious aunt and uncle, Petunia and Vernon Dursley along with and their fat son, Dudley. While Dudley Dursley has two bedrooms, one just for his surplus toys; Harry is forced to sleep in a crawl space under the stairs. Life just was miserable for him and he was treated as if he was a freak. However, Harry is destined for greatness, and he lived 11 years of his life without a hint of what he truly is. Until one day he mysteriously receives a notice in the mail announcing that he has been chosen to attend Hogwarts, the nation's elite school for training wizards and witches. It is like the Harvard of sorcery. Before he is done, Harry Potter will meet a dragon, make many new friends and do battle with a three-headed dog. He will also learn how to fly a broom and how to use a cloak that makes him invisible. Although all the hocus-pocus in the story is delightful, the magic in the book is not the real magic of the book. Similar to Roald Dahl, J. K. Rowling has a gift for keeping the emotions, fears and triumphs of her characters on a human scale, even while the supernatural is popping out all over.

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends." (Rowling, J.K, pg. 221, 1997)

Harry had never really had friends before in his life and was always constantly bullied by his cousin Dudley and his friends. Even at school he was treated just as he was at home. But at Hogwarts, he made many new friends and learned many lessons along with it. This quote signifies one of the biggest ones he learned. As he was attacked by enemies and got in constant trouble in Hogwarts,but he also had to stand up to his friends. At one time he was virtually famous and everybody acknowledged and envied him. Then he made some mistakes that costed him the respect of other people. Everybody for some time hated him and even his friends. It was hard he felt like he did before, and he had to stand up to everyone, even his friends. Standing up to your enemy takes much courage already, but standing up to those you have befriended, takes a lot. If Harry had not done this, it would have altered his experience in Hogwarts throughout the book.


"It was a dream...I dreamed a giant called Hagrid came to tell me I was going to a school for wizards. When I open my eyes I'll be at home in my cupboard." (Rowling, J.K., pg. 49, 1997)

This quote signifies Harry's reaction to who he truly is destined to be. It was the beginning of a turning point in his life and in the story as well. Harry had lived his whole life oblivious to the magic world and oblivious to the fact that he was a part of it. Things have always suddenly happened that got him out of trouble, and it all seemed like magic (Which it actually was). When all this occurred; it was such a shock to Harry that he thought it could only be a dream. When the next day he opened his eyes to see he was not in his tiny cupboard, he was purely astounded it wasn’t a dream at all, though it seemed just like one. He then saw things so foreign it was beyond his belief and began his life in the magical world. Things in life don’t always seem the way they are, and anything is possible. I always thought they things way are, is the way it is forever, but I realized that things change, and at times it can be rapidly. Harry’s story to me exemplifies, that anything could and can happen. I don’t think I am going to find out I am a wizard anytime soon, but nothing is impossible.

I would rate this book a complete 5 out of 5. This first book out of the Harry Potter series is addicting, making you want to read on and on. It is very straightforward, with vivid details of the character and his world. Also it is packed with action and excitement, along with some humor as well. It is like no other fantasy tale I have ever read, and is a fantasy of its own. J.K Rowling’s ability to come up with such a tale astounded me, along with the way she writes it. It is witty, charming and fully satisfying to its readers, and it contains as much and if not more fantasy than any other novel of its kind. I would recommend this book to anyone of all ages who would like to just sit down and enjoy a nice satisfying fantasy novel. The next time you stop by the library or the book store, make sure you pick this book up, or at least attempt to read it. I can almost guarantee you will like it and this should be a must read book on your list. There is a world full of magic, mysteries and wonders awaiting you when you read “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone”.