Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
I'm reposting this review as it still holds true. I reread the first Harry Potter and loved it just as much as the first time.
Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic 1997
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Pages: 309
Rating: 5 / 5 stars
Reading Challenges: HP; Read My Name - R
How I Got It: Own it!
This one is a reread for me. It's been awhile since I read the series. I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants. SO that's what eight years ago? I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.
Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts. Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc. And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.
Book fun:
- Favorite scene: Diagon Alley, you can just see the wondrous shops and Harry enchantment. I love that moment!
- Favorite character: Hagrid. He's just such a character in this book. And I loved seeing him on the movie screen.
- Favorite expressions: "Gulpin' gargoyles" (Hagrid), "Load of old tosh" (Uncle Vernon), "Codswallop" (Hagrid), "All right, keep your hair on" (Fred), "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak" (Dumbledore)
- Didn't notice (or didn't pay attention) to the fact that Hagrid borrowed the motorcycle at the beginning from Sirius Black! I probably thought it was just another name when I read the first time.
- I feet sorry for Petunia Dursley. As nasty as she is, I can't help that think that everything she's done has been because she's jealous of Lily. Maybe if she had more love, or acceptance, or a talent than she wouldn't have turned out so urgh!
- How much foreshadowing is there when we meet Professor Quirrell? Good graciousness! And that story that he met a vampire... yeah he met a vampire, named Voldemort!
- The password for the Gryffindor tower was "pig snout." Awesome!!!
- I almost feel sorry for Professor Quirrell at the end. Almost, but not quite...
Favorite quotes:
- "Couldn't make us a cup o' tea, could yeh? It's not been an easy journey..." -- Hagrid's entrance (pg. 47)
- "I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter.... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things--terrible, yes, but great." -- Mr. Ollivander (pg. 85)
- "Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling" -- back of chocolate frog card (pg. 103)
- "Troll--in the dungeons--thought you out to know." -- Professor Quirrell (pg. 172)
- "You haven't got a letter on yours," George observed. "I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid--we know we're called Gred and Forge." (pg. 202)
- "The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." (pg. 298)
Movie fun:
Overall, I just adore this movie. It's the closest movie to book transition. It brings the world to life. Much lighter than the later movies, but the first book is much lighter anyway. The set pieces are just amazing. I couldn't have pictured Hogwarts better in my mind. And the icing on the cake: the final lines of the movie about Harry not going home, not really. So much better than the ending of the book. Kudos to the film makers.
My favorite scenes:
- Diagon Alley -- All the shops! All the things! The introduction of all the wizards in the background. Such detail!
- Sorting ceremony -- All those kids! All those nervous, excited kids! And the way that the sorting hat talks to Harry is priceless!
- Christmas at Hogwarts -- It's just too pretty.
Things I wished to see, but didn't:
- More scenes with the ghosts. They severely underused the genius that is John Cleese in the movie! The ghosts are great; the little intrigues and mysteries are so much fun. And Peeves should have at least made an extended appearance.
- Charlie and the escape of Norbert the dragon.
- Snape's logic puzzle after the chess match -- really showed Hermione's intellect
Harry Potter: