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Summary: An exciting adventure, an incredible fantasy
Review: It's hard not to get swept up in the Harry Potter fad with such a great story, fantastic characters and exciting plot lines. This will probably be the shortest review ever, because anything I have to say about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone would be an echo of a thousand other reviewers. This book belongs in every reader's collection. I have thought long and hard about my Christian faith and the witchcraft, sorcery and "Dark Arts" mentioned in the novel. Rowling makes adistinction between good and bad magic. Christian belief does not. As a Christian I approach this book with a confidence in my own faith, realizing that the story is fiction. It has a place in society, and in literature. It may not have a place in the life of every Christian, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't believe in practicing magic, but I don't believe this is a reason to avoid reading the novel. Rowling is fantastic in every way as an author. Characters, setting, plot, conflict, pace, and mood. All of these things contribute to the fantastic story and the craze for Harry potter.
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Summary: This Book Is the Best Book In Years
Review: It's Harry Potter's first year at hogwarts and he is abousulutley glad to get away from Dudley! Will Harry have another wonderful year next year and live threw the first to find out read it!
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Summary: Classy
Review: It's leather-bound, and on acid-free paper to last a lifetime (nice touch). Needless to say this is the one that starts it all, describing the life of Harry Potter in a manner that is both easy to read for the kiddos and yet enough of an interesting fantasy to keep the adults interested as well. A great gift for the Harry Potter fan.
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Summary: This book is the most exiting book I've ever read in my life
Review: It's like a book with everything in it.If you like witches and wizards,it's there.Medieval times,it's there.Mystery,uh-huh.You should buy this book.
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Summary: Enjoyable, But Not Fascinating
Review: It's not bad. Amusing, fast-paced and easy to read. Also extremely well-plotted; all independent events converge on the Sorcerer's Stone. That's very skillful. It is quite enjoyable, but not fascinating for me. I don't think it is so good as a fantasy novel. It is not so imaginative, rather too realistic as a fantasy. It doesn't describe an another world, but a mere variation of our real ordinary world. It's rather a traditional school-life story. However, I think that makes this novel readily acceptable to so many people, even to those who doesn't like fantasy novels very much. The characters are rather two-dimensional. Harry, Ron and Hermione are relatively well described, still I feel they are not flesh-and-blood people but chessmen of different roles. And I don't like the description of the school houses rivalry; the house points are up and down like a computer game. I might be fascinated, if this novel were more like a novel.
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Summary: Everything it's cracked up to be...
Review: It's not hype, it truly is a great read. Wonderful story, easy reading. Great book to just kick back and enjoy.
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Summary: Not just eight year olds
Review: It's not just the young who have enjoyed this book, try three women aged 18, 21 and 45. We loved it and the sequal, they are tresured beyond gold in our house and we would encourage anyone aged 8 to 80 to read this book.
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Summary: Oh no - a non-conformist!!
Review: It's not that this wasn't a good book... but I just don't understand all the hype! Is it just me, or has the whole prospect been done already? The unsuspecting hero is dragged off on a quest, and he ends up saving the day. Sounds a little familiar... so WHY is this book getting so much hype? The plot line isn't too original... I can honestly say I forgot who half the characters were a week after reading... and the whole idea of wizards and spells has been done many, many times, in a much better way. I have a sneaking suspicion that the people who are going nuts over this book have never read anything else. Do you want some ORIGINAL fantasy novels? Check out E. Nesbit, Edward Eager, Joan Aiken, or John Bellairs.
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Summary: Addicting!
Review: It's not the characters or the plot that makes this fabulously entertaining, it's the genius of J.K. Rowling. She is extremely funny (her sense of humor really shines in the later installments) and has an incredible imagination. Her writing is masterful. She weaves a very light, funny, and engaging story. Her characters are lovable, the settings are extraordinary (you'll want to jump right into the book and walk alongside Harry) and the ending leaves you breathless and panting for more. This is not your typical "good guy vs. bad guy" plot in kiddie book form. This is J.K. Rowling's world. Young and old, male and female, doesn't matter. She has a universal audience. I loved this book so much that I going to splurge on a collector's edition for myself. It's THAT good. Mark my words, YOU WILL BE HOOKED TOO! Cris P.S. Pick up the tapes and read along. You'll have a double dose of pleasure and Jim Dale is terrific with the voices.
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Summary: Let's take a careful look. . .
Review: It's now been some years since the "Harry Potter" books first came out. Unless I am mistaken, book # 5 is due on shelves soon. In addition, two major motion pictures have now been produced. During this time, I have been repeatedly asked, as a parent, as a clergyman, and as a student of fantasy literature, what my "opinion" of the series is. After having read all four books, and having seen the first movie, I am now prepared to comment. Some people, especially those in the conservative Christian camp, decry the books as inherently Satanic, dealing, as they do, with "witchcraft", etc. As a conservative Christian father and clergyman, I must admit that I do NOT agree with this assessment -- an assessment made, all to often, by persons who have not actually read the books in question. Do I understand "why" some would suggest this? Of course I do. The difference, however, lies in the nature of fantasy literature. As can be seen in other fantasy series, (Katherine Kurtz' "Saint Camber" stories come to mind) the characters in the "Harry Potter" stories are endowed at birth with certain gifts, powers, etc., not typically applicable to ordinary persons. Much like "The Force" in the "Star Wars" stories, this power can be used for good or for evil and is, in and of itself, neither. It is this point which firmly seperates "Harry Potter" from those who actually believe in and seek to practice the Dark Arts -- activities which conservative Christians -- rightly -- condemn as anti-Scriptural. Thus, it is within this deliberate "suspension of belief" that these stories must be judged. Are they good fairy tales??? "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is light reading. Don't go expecting "The Lord of the Rings" here -- or even "Saint Camber". You just won't find it. This being said, it was reasonably enjoyable light reading. I'll grade it as follows: Plot: B -- a bit predictable and using many stereotypic conventions. Nonetheless, there is a bit of creativity shown, most especially in the "Quiddich" concept. Character Development: C -- lots of stereotypes here, some of which work better than others. Dumbledore, for example, is quite good (though little is actually learned about him). Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle are the typical school bullies found in any story of this sort -- regardless of magic. The animosity of Professor Snape toward Harry, while emphasized, is never satisfactorially explained. Nor are the reasons behind the disgrace and expulsion of Hagrid -- an evidently important character. The Dursleys are hideous to the point of caricature -- which is, I believe, the point. The whys and wherefores of Harry himself: who he is, from where did he come, etc. are touched on -- barely enough. Setting: B+ -- here the author does use a bit of imaginative creativity. Platform 9 3/4 is great. So are the various types of candy available. (An Every-Flavored Bean, anyone?). The various descriptions of Hogwarts fascinate (and are obviously caricatures of the English school system). Yet, for all of the author's creativity, still much emphasis is placed on traditional mythological conventions: unicorns, centaurs, dragons, even pointy hats and brooms. The originality only went so far. Overall, I'll give the book 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 -- while recognizing the book for what it is, rather than trying to force the book into something it is not -- neither Satanic delusion -- nor great fairy-story literature. Much of the book (and a great deal of the humor) seems very tongue-in-cheek -- and I strongly suspect that this gentle satire goes way over the head of the typical pre-teen/young teen reader of the book.
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