Review of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone

I read the Philosopher's Stone for the first time three years ago. I decided to buy the books for my kids, it seemed like the perfect thing to do. I heard such good things about Harry Potter that I was more then drawn to buy the Philosopher's Stone on Amazon. I wanted to see how the story of Harry Potter could interest kids and even teenagers into, of all things, reading.

This time I am listening to the Audio books and will be reviewing as much the reading style but also the readers interpretations of the writings. Audio books are a great when traveling or even hiking on a trail. I have grown to really like them especially since my vision is starting to fail me a wee bit.

The story behind the boy who could starts off, a very easy reading book. An orphan boy, grows up as a second rate child in his aunts house. He knows nothing about what his history is nor anything about what beholds this remarkable boy living under the stairs, however not all is lost. Hogwarts, a wizards school sends word that Harry is enrolled and can learn the magical talents that his parents possessed. Finally a chance for this boy to be a normal kid, you know around wizards! But there's more, in Harry's past also lurks bad things, evil is part of Harry's destiny. And it becomes clear Harry and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley have a mystery to solve or all of the wizarding world will suffer.

I was quickly drawn into a very interesting plot line sporting a very believable tone. I found myself trying to escape to continue the adventures of Harry and friends. Each character is explained with great detail filling me with feeling of familiarity with Ron and Hermione.. Oh how wonderful it is, the story building steam and drawing you further and further in.

Harry seems to jump from the kettle into the fire sometimes. It may be more correct to see it as trouble is in Harry's destiny. Getting comfortable with Harry's new friends and the mystery that is slowly building around them. One gets the feeling that this is it, now the slope to the end. The plot suddenly changes and I am finding that the story I am reading is growing into more then I had thought would. My surprise at the truths revealed created more very believable possibilities. There is no eye rolling here where you might expect, all your going to find here is an expression of amazement and longing for Harry to succeed in the face of impossible feats.

Upon finishing the Philosopher's Stone I was left with a feeling of uncomfortable joy. Just imagine, growing up with no parents and a cousin who treats you like an animal, finally nurturing friendships with other people just like you, a Wizard. Then striving against the odds and accomplishing at the age of 11 what no other adult wizard can even dream of.

I have no doubt that if I was 10, I'd be just beside myself imagining the massive halls of Hogwarts. In my severely stunted "old" imagination is longing to be young again adventuring with Harry Potter.

My children are 4 and 6 I am going to wait a few years to share Harry Potter with them. I think it will be one of my life's greatest moment's, to share this adventure with my kids. However, even though the reading is rich, while simply explained, I wonder about how my kids will take the highs and lows of Harry's remarkable story in The Philosopher's Stone before ages 8-9.