bermudaonion (Kathy)
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Beth F
Lisa
S. Krishna
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
I’m not going to do a proper review of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” or any of the Harry Potter books for the Harry Potter Reading Challenge because, really, I don’t think there’s anything really new to say about them that hasn’t been said a million times. Instead, I’m planning to just record a few of my impressions as I reread these books for the umpteenth times.
It has been quite some time since I read “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” probably not since well before the 6th book was released, so it was almost like coming in again for the first time, except with foreknowledge of what would happen. What really struck me was how much more juvenile “The Sorcerer’s Stone” is than the books I’ve read more recently. I don’t think I’ve read or watched anything before book 3 for quite some time. I suppose I’d forgotten just how much Rowling’s writing and style grew up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
It was fun going all the way back to the beginning, but I think I’m going to enjoy my rereads of the later books more, as the series moves to more of a young adult feel from the original elementary school style.
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Jen, I really like your idea here for the Harry Potter challenge. I signed up for it, so I’ll eventually read them. I haven’t read them before and I have been wondering – who cares what Jennifer thinks about them anymore? But, by highlighting your thoughts, it invites conversation. If you don’t mind, I might just do the same.
I like what you are saying about the books and writing growing up with the characters. This really is a good idea, I think. I don’t know if that is intentional, but this means that the books can meet the children where they are maturity-wise along the way. Also, the earlier books are those most likely to be read out loud by a parent, too.
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..#193 ~ The Dogs of Babel =-.
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Great post! I felt the same way and am just trying something fun with each of my HP reviews.
.-= Amy Reads Good Books´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday =-.
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Nen, Eric just finished reading book 1 (again) and he loved it (again). He said there were several allusions to things that happened throughout the series. One he mentioned in particular was a description of Snape, how his cape made him look like a bat, and if you recall, in book seven Snape turns into a bat in order to escape from Hogwarts. Another one was Dumbledore stating something to the effect that death is not scary if you have your life in order, which you could take as him stating that he knows he’s going to die and that’s he’s leaving a bunch of stuff in place for harry to solve the deathly hallows stuff. i would have to read it again, but interesting dontcha think?
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devourerofbooks Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I’d forgotten about the bat thing from book 7, I think I’ve only read that one once, but it is totally amazing how she really KNEW where the series was going in order to drop those clues so early.
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Sorcerer’s Stone is the only book in the series that really *feels* like a children’s book to me, which is probably why I’d say it’s my least favorite. It’s necessary, and it does lay out the foundations, but I just don’t enjoy it as much as the later books any more.
.-= Florinda´s last blog ..Writers or Actors – who gets you to watch? (Weekend Assignment #281) =-.
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My husband’s been talking about re-reading these books – glad to see you still enjoyed it.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Books Bought =-.
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This isn’t my favorite HP boook, either. To say the least. It was a quick read originally; but you’re right, it’s very much an elementary book. Not that it’s not fun or anything, just that my attention tends to wander while I’m reading it.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..TSS-The Sunday Sun =-.
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I’m re-reading Bk 1-3 since I didn’t post the reviews last year. And of course I’m going to read the rest of the series and I’m hoping I’d be able to finish them before the next movie is out.
.-= Melody´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
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My seven-year-old niece has read through book six of the series [I assume she's now on to book 7] which I find pretty commendable. I don’t think I could re-read them at this time but enjoyed 1-5 and then stopped.
.-= Amy S.´s last blog ..Sunshine Cleaning: DVD Review =-.
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I’ve read them all several times, but this time around the kids and I are listening to it on audio. It IS interesting how it seems juvenile, but then again, Harry is pretty young. I see all kinds of creepy foreshadowing too, which I’m not sure was intentional on Rowling’s part. But I am thoroughly loving the ride! It is like opening my favorite bag of toys!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..The Castle in the Attic – Elizabeth Winthrop (audio) =-.
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Well you are right, Rowling’s writing has emerged well through the books. I like you can’t remember much of what was in the 1st book
.-= Veens´s last blog ..Historical Cover~~ =-.
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I haven’t read this since the year it came out. I will be listening to it soon….I hope.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..A-Z Wednesday: Cod by Mark Kurlansky =-.
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I just finshed my read through Sorcerer’s Stone and I agree, it did feel a lot more juvenile than the later books. Although, that does not surprise me as the characters are younger.
While the books were being released the audience grew as well, now when children start the series at age,say, 8, they can potential go through the whole series before age 9 instead of 18 or so. Not certain if that is good to read the later books at an earlier age. Food for me think upon as my younger set starts on the reading journey of Harry Potter.
.-= Deanna/ibeeeg´s last blog ..Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling =-.
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devourerofbooks Reply:
August 26th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Good point. Maybe Harry Potter could be like a special birthday treat? Get to read one each year?
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I re-read the entire series a month ago, and I didn’t do reviews of any of them because I felt the exact same way. I hope you enjoy the re-reading as much as I did!
.-= S. Krishna´s last blog ..The Sari Shop Widow – Shobhan Bantwal =-.
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I enjoyed reading your reflections on reading this book. I’ve been wondering how I was going to review the series for the challenge, since I’ve read them so many times, and I really like how you did it.
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..My Favorite Reads – August 27 =-.
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