Book Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Year: 26th of June, 1998
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Next book in Series: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Blurb
Harry Potter is one of the bestselling books of all time with over 500 million copies sold.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone is the first of a seven-book series that follows a growing and lovable character, Harry Potter.
Harry Potter, after several years of believing a lie finally discovers his magical heritage on his 11th birthday. The rest of his life unfolds to the rhythm of this new, defining fate.
Summary (Spoilers beyond this point)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone reveals the start of a very long journey that begins with the birth of the main character, Harry Potter.
After his parent’s death, Harry is moved to live with the Dursleys- a family that comprised of muggles (non-magic folks): his aunt, Petunia, her husband, Uncle Vernon, and their son, Dudley.
Harry is left on their doorstep and his aunt, even though she disliked the Potters, was left with no choice but to accept him.
Harry grows under her stiff watch, living a normal life- being bullied by Dudley, only wearing oversized and worn clothes, and living in a cupboard under the stairs- until an unexpected incident changes his life forever.
A message is sent via an owl addressed to Harry Potter. He is not allowed to view this letter until the intervention of a giant some days later who comes around to explain Harry’s past, his present, and his expected future.
“Harry — yer a wizard.”
Harry, happier than he’s ever been, embraced this new and vibrant adventure.
He learns the ways of the wizarding world, the structures, and its entries: Platform nine and three quarters, Gringotts- the wizard bank guarded by Goblins, Hogwarts, the wizarding school to which he is enrolled, the Mirror of Erised, and an ancient secret that has been guarded for several centuries- the philosophers stone.
Along the way, he meets the best and worst of people, he makes his only friends – Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Rubeus Hagrid, the giant and keeper of keys at Hogwarts.
It’s a rosy new life, but also one where terror and fright lurk in every corner.
Amidst these ups, Harry is introduced to who would come to be his grandest and most lethal enemy in the rest of the series, Lord Voldemort, so terrifying that his name could not be said by most of those in the wizarding world.
Harry must stand strong, come face to face with him and keep his head high. It is only the beginning of his journey after all.
Conclusion
J.K. Rowling is nothing short of brilliant. She knew exactly how popular her character was going to become. This is seen where she spoke through one of her characters as like a prophesy,
“He’ll be famous — a legend — I wouldn’t be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter Day in the future — there will be books written about Harry — every child in our world will know his name!“
Professor mcgonagall
And I don’t think there’s any child in all of Britain and beyond that has not at one point or the other heard the name, Harry Potter.
It’s such a beauty she’s put together and I would recommend it to everyone – old and young.
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