Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
By Doraemon on
Harry Potter is the brainchild of JK Rowling. It was so successful that the author became one of the richest women in the world. The books is now a best-seller internationally and has been translated into 65 different languages.
Before the commercial success, JK Rowling was a single parent who was struggling financially.She lived on social security and was unemployed. She also had a hard time getting the first book published. Eventually Bloomsbury picked up the book and the rest as they say is history.
Harry Potter beings with the celebration of wizardom over the downfall of Lord Voldemort. The victory came at a heavy price however, as both Harry's parents perished in the encounter. Having no parents, Harrylived with his relatives the Dursleys. Just like Cinderella however, he was maltreated.
Eventually Hagrid finds Harry and Harry discovers his magical heritage. He goes to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he meets interesting characters such as Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger who become friends, Draco Malfoy who becomes competition, Prof. Severus Snapes who is the suspected villain and Prof. Quirell who is the real villain.
The group discover an attempt to steal the Philosopher's stone to restore Lord Voldemort into power.They soon find themselves trying to reach the stone first, navigating the security system until finally Harry enters the inner chamber alone. There he finds Professor Quirrell is the one attempting to steal the Stone and ironically Snape was trying to protect him from Quirrell all along. The final challenge protecting the Stone is the Mirror of Erised, and by looking in the mirror, the Stone falls into Harry's pocket. Harry confronts Quirrell and survives a second encounter with Lord Voldemort, who has possessed Quirrell . Voldemort tells Harry that Lily Potter died protecting him. Quirrell feels severe pain when he touches Harry's skin, and Harry's scar feels immense pain because of his close proximity to Lord Voldemort.
Dumbledore arrives in the nick of time to rescue Harry. There is soon a celebration as Gryffindor triumphs ending Slytherin's six-year reign as house champion.
I find the book very inspiring in the sense that Harry Potter who was a nobody could rise up and become the wizard world's greatest hero. It only shows that anything is possible when we believe.
Harry Potter has been such good reading.
My kids have read every one of these books, they tried getting me hooked on them but so far it hasn't taken...one of these days I'll tackle this thick novels :) Thanks for the info
Interesting... the title and cover are different here in the U.S.... had fun reading the series to my son until he became old enough to read them on his own.