Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

Author: J.K. Rowling

Published in: 1997

Date read: 2nd October 2001

Score: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Childrens' fiction

Plot: (Warning, may contain spoilers):
"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (published as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in the US) by J.K. Rowling introduces readers to the magical world of Hogwarts and its most famous student.

The story begins with Harry Potter, an orphaned boy living a miserable life with his abusive aunt, uncle, and cousin, the Dursleys. Harry is a scrawny, often-neglected child, unaware of his true heritage. On his eleventh birthday, he receives an extraordinary letter delivered by an owl, inviting him to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Despite the Dursleys' desperate attempts to prevent him from receiving more letters, the giant, kindly Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, eventually arrives to personally deliver Harry's invitation and reveal his true identity: Harry is a wizard, and his parents, James and Lily Potter, were powerful witches and wizards murdered by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort when Harry was a baby. Harry miraculously survived Voldemort's attack, which left him with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead and made him a legendary figure in the wizarding world.

Hagrid helps Harry prepare for Hogwarts, taking him to Diagon Alley, a hidden wizarding shopping street. There, Harry gets his first glimpse of the magical world, buys his school supplies (including a wand that mysteriously chooses him), and learns about his fame. He also receives a large sum of money from his parents' vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

Harry soon boards the Hogwarts Express and quickly befriends two other first-year students: the intelligent, rule-abiding Hermione Granger and the loyal, good-hearted Ron Weasley. They are sorted into Gryffindor House and begin their magical education, learning about spells, potions, flying on broomsticks, and the history of magic.

However, a sinister mystery soon unfolds at Hogwarts. Rumors circulate about a valuable object, the Philosopher's Stone (or Sorcerer's Stone), which grants immortality and the ability to turn any metal into gold. Harry, Ron, and Hermione become suspicious when they realize that the Stone, which belongs to alchemist Nicolas Flamel, is being hidden at Hogwarts and is apparently being targeted by someone. They suspect that their seemingly menacing Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape, is trying to steal it, especially after Harry sees Snape seemingly threatening the nervous Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Quirrell.

The trio bravely decides to investigate, believing they must protect the Stone from Snape. Their adventure leads them through a series of magical traps and challenges designed to protect the Stone, involving giant chess pieces, a dangerous troll, flying keys, and a perilous potion puzzle.

The climax of the novel occurs when Harry confronts the true villain in the final chamber. It is revealed that Professor Quirrell, not Snape, has been attempting to steal the Stone, acting as a host for the weakened spirit of Lord Voldemort, who has been clinging to life since his failed attempt to kill Harry as a baby. Harry, with the power of his mother's love (which provided a magical protection against Voldemort's curse), bravely defeats Quirrell and forces Voldemort's spirit to flee.

The Stone is ultimately destroyed to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Harry ends his first year at Hogwarts having discovered his true identity, found real friends, and faced down the dark lord who murdered his parents, setting the stage for his extraordinary future adventures.

Comments:
I selected "children's fiction" but I have to admit that I was in my mid-twenties when I read these (just before the films started to appear) as I always try to read before the film, and I was blown away by how brilliant it was. I had, sadly, never heard of them until all of they hype about the films came out.

Books that we've read by J.K. Rowling (7):
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) (1997), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2) (1998), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3) (1999), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4) (2000), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5) (2003), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6) (2005), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) (2007)