Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Posted in Lifestyle

I grew up with Harry Potter. Well, his rise to fame began when I was in high school. I was not much of a reader by then. However, I was completely intrigued with fantasy and animations, so I had to watch the movies. So, I watched the movies. Even though I watched all the movies, I had to admit, I never read one Harry Potter novel, until now.

Limited wi-fi meant that I had to get creative. As we were leaving the house, I discovered a very tattered and taped up 1997 edition of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”. It belonged to my tween daughter. Apparently, I had some how given this edition to her…. And she loved it!

Her homemade bookmark!

Book Review and Reflections

  1. Summary

This was the book that started it all. It’s hard to imagine this story was rejected by so many publishers before it got published. It was filled with a lot of imaginary names and ideas that can get a bit overwhelming at first. Thankfully, I was able to match up what I recalled from the movie to the book.

Harry Potter reminded me of the Cinderella story. He spent his whole life being bullied and harassed by his own family. He thought that he was nobody. Until that fateful day when he received the admission letter to Hogwarts, he learned that he was special. Very special….

2. Useful Themes

I loved the feeling of success and triumph that exploded as I became absorbed into the pages. I took my time to walk step by step along with his best friend, Ron and my favourite heroine, Hermione, as they ventured deeper and deeper into trouble.

3. Must-Read or Pass

It is a must-read for me! I loved how the movie really was able to bring the characters to life. The book helped me to appreciate the movie more. And yes, I will continue to read the following novels ….

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Published by Chocoviv

55 thoughts on “Book Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”

  1. I read this for the first time with my kids 5 years ago. We have read it 3 or 4 times together since and hope to read it again a few more times. I love it so much more than the movies

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. What a nice review! I have seen all the movies but never read the books (true Harry Potter fans would call this treason) and it’s nice to know that the first movie captured the first book pretty well! I know the same probably doesn’t hold true for the rest of the series, but still! Maybe one day I’ll actually read the books! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. It just made me happy that someone is still writing reviews of the first Harry Potter books after so many years! And I love your beat up copy.

    My oldest daughter’s a young adult now and grew up with me reading the series to her…which she eventually finished on her own. She’s now a certified Harry Potter addict who has read the books, watched the movies, and listened to the audiobooks more times than I can count! She also has an apartment filled with her own handmade (and very cool) Harry Potter themed stuff along with official merch.

    According to her, she has sorted us both out to be Ravenclaw!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Such a classic series! My partner was really into Harry Potter and we have all the books. I’m sure my son’s will become fans when older as well 😃

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. I first read this when I was 11 and I’d say it’s probably had the most impact on me out of all of the books I read as a kid. It brought about so much excitement for the next book, and I loved going to the cinema with my grandparents to see the films!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. I was around 6 when the first film came out, and seeing it is actually one of my clearest childhood memories (it was an eventful day), but I put off reading the books until after the films came out because I wanted to prolong the experience.. not thinking we’d still be getting content. This post makes me want to reread the first book!

    Ash | thisdreamsalive.wordpress.com

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  12. This IS a well-loved edition of the book, but I think it is my favorite artwork out of all the books I have seen. I love your Cinderella comparison; that is something I never associated the book with but I see where you are going.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  13. I only started reading the books and watching the movies in 2009 when my older son got into Harry Potter. Since then we have been pretty much hooked on Harry Potter. I’m glad you enjoyed the book.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. I read it first when the 4th book came out and the movies weren’t made yet and boy was I HOOKED! my forever favorite book series and such a comfort and joy each time i read😭❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  18. Interesting. I personally love Harry Potter too! Maybe much of my teenage and early twenties I obsessed over the books. However i never truly developed a liking for the movies.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. I have seen all the movies (and loved them all!) but I’ve never read a single harry potter books. I have heard this many times from my friends that the movies really did justice with characters of the books, but even then I believe a book always hold more than the movies (the time limits and the editing and all). So I’ve made my mind to read the whole series. And just in time I saw this post!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  22. I grew up reading these and would return to them multiple times over my teens. It’s been a while since I read them now but definitely remember the feeling of being swept away by them.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  24. I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan! Definitely a series that everyone should at least try at one time or another. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  25. Who’s Harry Potter? Just kidding! Never read a word in any of the Harry Potter series. Not into that Genre. Now if the series veers off into something like “Harry Potter and the Rogue CIA Agent Assassin”….that might catch my attention. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Leave a comment