Harry Potter is an ordinary boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs at his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's house, which he thinks is normal for someone like him who's parents have been killed in a 'car crash'. He is bullied by them and his fat, spoilt cousin Dudley, and lives a very unremarkable life with only the odd hiccup (like his hair growing back overnight!) to cause him much to think about. That is until an owl turns up with a letter addressed to Harry and all hell breaks loose! He is literally rescued by a world where nothing is as it seems and magic lessons are the order of the day. Read and find out how Harry discovers his true heritage at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, the reason behind his parents mysterious death, who is out to kill him, and how he uncovers the most amazing secret of all time, the fabled Philosopher's Stone! All this and muggles too. Now, what are they?
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Amazon Review
Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand and jellybeans that come in every flavour, including strawberry, curry, grass and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in JK Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In the non-magical human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is renowned as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoilt, pig-like cousin Dudley.
A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig ... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins.
This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave children clamouring for a sequel. (Ages 8-13) --Karin Snelson, Amazon.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Funny, imaginative, magical Rowling has woken up a whole generation to reading. In the 2020s, thirty-something book-lovers will know each other by smug references to Diagon Alley and Quidditch' The Times 'And you thought wizardry was for children. Harry Potter will make you think again. He casts his spells on grown-ups too' James Naughtie
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Being an adult, and having never read a Harry Potter book, I was sceptical. I hoped that the book would have done enough to enchant me, but Fry's reading brings the book to life. It was more than a great book; it was a superb audio theatrical production.
71 of 81 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Most of these reviews concentrate on praise for J K Rowling, and as I agree with all that has been said, I won't add to them, but instead heap praise onto Stephen Fry. His narration is far and away the best that I have listened to over many years of enjoying audio books. Each and every character has their own distinctive and perfectly-judged voice, so that you know instantly who is speaking before the name is given. This makes it so much easier to simply enjoy the wonderful story without being distracted by confusion as to who is saying what, as so often happens with other narrators. I would probably never have bothered with Harry Potter if the unabridged Philosopher's Stone had not been broadcast on Boxing Day several years ago. We had a very long drive home after a family visit, and thought that this would wile away at least part of the journey. Part of it! We were completely enthralled all the way home, and then made a dash for the house, and frantically retuned the radio. We sat at the kitchen table until it was finished. We have bought all of the others as they came out, and they have all been great. I recommend listening to these stories whilst curled up on the sofa on a Winter's evening over any T.V program that I can think of.
40 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Teaming the peerless talent of Stephen Fry with the genius of J.K. Rowling was a masterful stroke. The two together make for one powerfully magical time. He's perfect for reading Harry Potter! I love the character voices he does--they are so natural, so real, you forget you're listening to a narrator. Sometimes when you read a book, you get so lost in the story you forget you're reading. That is how I feel when I read J.K. Rowling and it's how I feel when I listen to Stephen Fry. His voice is so classy! I love to hear him do Draco Malfoy's drawling tone and Dumbledore's wise and gentle intonation. And, Hagrid--perfect!!!
I have all four audios by Mr. Fry. My mom and dad love them more than I do--and that's a lot! I listen to them when I'm on my bike or when I'm traveling in the car. I also listen to them every night before I go to bed.
I also like the fact that I learn all kinds of details that I didn't notice when I read the books, which I read more than once, believe me!
The people in the U.K. are lucky because in the U.S. all we have is Jim Dale. His voice is so yucky! I hated to hear him ruin the characters. It doesn't sound at all like I think they should sound. My dad talked to our local bookstores and had to send to England for the Stephen Fry tapes. I was happy, indeed, to finally get them. Whew!
Thank you, Mr. Fry and Ms. Rowling!!!!!
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
This is the best read story tape I have ever listened to! Stephen Fry is the most beautiful reader one can possibly imagine hearing. Over this side of the Atlantic, we get Jim Dale, and he is just simply not very good.
Stephen Fry really does put you into the scenes and makes the whole idea of the Harry Potter world believeable and realistic.
If you live in America, do not hesitate for one moment to go out and get the Stephen Fry version. You won't be sorry!
49 of 57 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
I hope this will qualify as focused upon content, as the content of the audiobook is more than the story being told. American audiobook customers are offered a competent but lackluster reading by someone calling himself Jim Dale (come now, is that Joe the stockroom boy, or what?). His pronunciation is acceptable and his apprehension of the story sufficient, but his voicing of a not-short narrative provides no interest of its own and begins to drag down the proceedings. UK fans are blessed with direct access to what amounts to a brilliant performance in Stephen Fry's reading of Harry Potter's first four adventures. Any other performance this striking, with distinct characterizations and pace-conscious narration, would be likely to distract from the story. But Stephen Fry must be every bit the magician Harry Potter is, because he brings subtle detail and wild dynamism to every paragraph, and inhabits the story like a dragon inhabits his scales. It's a feat of alchemy equal to anything in the books. If I had to go down to the bank and change my dollars for Euros I would have this audiobook collection by overseas shipment.
My wife, the family's true Harry Potter fanatic, opines that Stephen Fry would have been ideal in the motion picture series in the role of Hagrid, the animal lover. When Hagrid regards the baby dragon he says, "he knows his mummy," and when Stephen Fry reads the line, I'm inclined to agree with her. When a job calls for whimsy and gravitas in equal measure, Fry has no equal.
41 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In my overly-excited anticipation of the seventh and final novel coming out on 21st July `07, I've started reading the Harry Potter series again (for the third time) and I'm enjoying them just as much now as I did the very first time I read them.
`Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' is the first book in the magical 7-book saga, introducing an orphaned young boy, Harry, who has been bought up for the past 10 years by his aunt and uncle, who have been keeping Harry's secret very well hidden from him.
To Harry's surprise and disbelief, once he reaches his 11th birthday he finds out that his is a wizard and is invited to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And so this begins one of the most engrossing and enjoyable stories ever written.
The first book is obviously a great place to start. The book is reasonably short, the story is fairly straight-forward (for now!) and once you have gotten a few chapters in you will without a doubt be already deeply absorbed and won't be able to put it down.
JK Rowling has a special writing talent that many (most) other authors don't, where you actually feel like you have been to places like Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Platform nine & three quarters and Privet Drive and have really met the likes of Ron and the Weasley family, Hermoine, Dumbledore, Snape, Voldermort, the Malfoys, the Dursleys, Hagrid and the rest of the memorable characters.
To anyone considering reading the Harry Potter books for the first time my advice would be this - join the hype, forget about the real world and enjoy six (most likely to be seven) of the best books ever written, that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike.
`Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' is the first book in the magical 7-book saga, introducing an orphaned young boy, Harry, who has been bought up for the past 10 years by his aunt and uncle, who have been keeping Harry's secret very well hidden from him.
To Harry's surprise and disbelief, once he reaches his 11th birthday he finds out that his is a wizard and is invited to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And so this begins one of the most engrossing and enjoyable stories ever written.
The first book is obviously a great place to start. The book is reasonably short, the story is fairly straight-forward (for now!) and once you have gotten a few chapters in you will without a doubt be already deeply absorbed and won't be able to put it down.
JK Rowling has a special writing talent that many (most) other authors don't, where you actually feel like you have been to places like Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Platform nine & three quarters and Privet Drive and have really met the likes of Ron and the Weasley family, Hermoine, Dumbledore, Snape, Voldermort, the Malfoys, the Dursleys, Hagrid and the rest of the memorable characters.
To anyone considering reading the Harry Potter books for the first time my advice would be this - join the hype, forget about the real world and enjoy six (most likely to be seven) of the best books ever written, that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harry potter and the philosophers stone
Perfect start to the harry potter story , tees up some many themes for later books beautifully while remaining light with little hint of darker times to come . Great great read
Published 14 hours ago by CLARE L NICHOLAS
5.0 out of 5 stars
best books ever!!
I love Harry Potter, grew up with it so I had to buy every single book.
Already have them in German, but it's so much better to read them in English as well. :)
Already have them in German, but it's so much better to read them in English as well. :)
Published 1 day ago by Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Harry potter and the philosophers stone
An amazing book very detailed description in a delightful way that really took hold of your own imagination. Very good!
Published 4 days ago by Gina Blackie
5.0 out of 5 stars
An old favourite that's still amazing even reading it ten years later
From a child Harry potter has amazed an enthralled me. Even now as an adult it has the same effect which I have passed on to my children
Published 4 days ago by Carrieanne Craig
5.0 out of 5 stars
17 years later.......
And still one of, if not THE best stories I've ever read....... I'm talking about the series as a whole..... Will anything ever beat Harry Potter?
Published 7 days ago by Craig Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
harry potter andthe philosopher's stone
i really enjoyed this book it was so goodthat every evening when i picked it up to read i coundnt put it down again! Read more
Published 7 days ago by kate
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent writing. Superb story
Though I am nearing my eighties, I found this book captivating my imagination throughout. This the first time I have read any of J.K.Rowling 's books - I shall be reading more.
Published 9 days ago by Woodpusher
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love Harry potter
I loved the harry potter books originally and watching the film's made me want to re-read the magic! And I was not disappointed, even better than the film's!
Published 10 days ago by Laura Shearwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Important Childhood book of mine.
Strange how short sighted being invisible can make you.' - The Genius that is Albus Dumbledore.
PLOT
This is the extraordinary story of Harry Potter, a... Read more
PLOT
This is the extraordinary story of Harry Potter, a... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Rebecca
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent throughout with some reservations and a slightly weak ending
UK literature needed this, badly. A new kids series which adults would love too. JK Rowling introduced us all to a new yet not so new magical world of fantastic characters, within... Read more
Published 17 days ago by Mr. J. M. Haines
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