|
|
|
Click for larger image
|
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
Author : J.K. Rowling
from Listening Library (Audio)
Features : ISBN13: 9780807281956
Release Date : 1999-12-01
Sales Rank : 7127
List Price: $49.95 Our Price: $32.97
 |
|
|
Average Customer Rating : 
Total Customer Reviews : 5566
|
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) Customer Reviews:
Classic And Unforgettable
Thirteen years after the publication of the first book in the series (not to mention the follow-up of six sequels, plus the first six movie adaptations), any charges from the original critics that the Harry Potter series was going to be just a short-lived fad have long since been rendered obsolete. Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone (aka Harry Potter And The Sorceror's Stone) may have been the reading world's most valuable entry in years because it started to reverse the decades-long erosion in book-readers - particularly among children - and in doing so has played a role in seeing to it that novels and other written works continue to have a healthy future in the digital world. Beyond all that, though, it's just a tremendously valuable book for a simpler reason - it's a great story well-told, with great ideas and some of the most memorable characters you're ever likely to read about.
The gist of the story is almost universally well-known by now. Harry Potter, an unhappy, parent-less, seemingly ordinary boy, living with relatives who really don't like him, suddenly finds out he's from a long line of wizards. Not only that, powerful magic flows through his own veins, he's already immensely famous in the hidden world of magic, and he's just been invited to attend Hogwart's School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The reason for his fame is that, in some way nobody understands, the infant Harry played a key role in the defeat of the Dark Lord, Voldemort - the most dangerous dark wizard of all time - on the very night his parents died years ago. But now at Hogwarts, with friends and a hopeful future for the first time in his life, Harry finds that not all the danger has disappeared from the magical world. Although this first volume is a relatively short novel, it marks the beginning of a huge-scale cycle of fantasy, adventure and discovery.
If any newcomers to the series are wondering whether they should go for the Potter books or the Potter movies, the answer is simple: go for both. The two enhance each other greatly - the books, as good as they are on their own, are even better after seeing the movies, and the opposite holds true: if you see the movie first and then read the book, you'll likely enjoy the movie even more the second time around. You get huge insight into not only the characters but into the overall magical world, and a host of small but enriching details that didn't make it into the films. A lot of the omissions are because the missing aspects are embedded right into the writing of the books themselves. Take, for example, this excerpt from early in the book, describing some of the reactions by Harry's uncle Vernon to some of his first encounters with the bizarre: "...He also thought he had been called a Muggle, whatever that was. He was rattled. He hurried to his car and set off home, hoping he was imagining things, which he had never hoped before, because he didn't approve of imagination." Perfect. And that kind of dry wit is throughout the book, and sometimes there just isn't an opportunity to transfer those specific moments to film. Likewise, the movies have enriched the books, in large part by the perfect cast which have truly made the roles their own. On re-reading this first volume, for example, if it's a scene between Harry, Ron and Hermione, I see and hear the characters as they look and sound played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. Not just those three, but the whole cast, and seeing and hearing the different expressions, mannerisms, and voices, livens up even the smallest scene.
The books are whimsical and fun, but are as intricately plotted, rife with excellent characterization, and as long-lasting as anything outside of the 'Young Readers' section. In fact, if you're an adult reader, especially one who enjoys Fantasy (Tolkein, Robert Jordan, William Horwood, etc.) and related fields, but still avoids the Young Readers section of the bookstore, you're missing out on a good chunk of the best in the field.
The Harry Potter books aren't really children's books, they're All Ages books. Because to call them children's books would imply that few people over twelve or so would likely enjoy them, and that's just not the case as has been evidenced by millions of much older readers around the world. They're as fit for a ninety year-old as a nine year-old. Some critics have charged that the Potter series is too dark and scary for younger readers. That's not a problem with the early entries, although those elements are present. The later entries - in both the books and movies - do get darker and scarier: one of the most interesting aspects of the series is that it advances at the same rate as the main characters and their experiences. When they're eleven, the style is one way, with things seen very much through children's eyes; when they're sixteen and seventeen the 'feel' of the books has changed greatly. But still kept the key points that drew you in in the first place. Almost like a diary written over many years, from childhood on up (but never losing that spark of childhood, just like a person doesn't have to lose it even if they live to be a hundred). If you're wondering if they're too scary to read to a five year-old for their bedtime story - no, not the first ones. The latter ones - eh, start them out on the first couple and see how that goes. If they're not old enough right now for the latter installments, they will be before too many years, and you can enjoy the first ones together right now. Kids aren't the simpletons some people think they are.
For myself, the addition of darker materials later on isn't a bad thing, but the relative abscence of those elements in The Philosopher's Stone isn't a bad thing either. They're just different, and they had to be that way to make the cycle fully realized throughout its evolving stages. This one is a delightful tale chock-full of adventure, imagination and mystery, and it introduces most of the saga's most famous characters - the central trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione; Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore, and so on. A truly must-read book.
Just close your eyes and meet Harry Potter!
I had been looking for these CDs for a long time (here in Italy you can't find them). The book is awesome and really well written and I couldn't wait to hear it narrated by the great voice of Jim Dale. Simply beautiful, this Anniversary Edition Audio Book is suitable for every age. The box contains 7 CDs, divided in two sets, all with colorful illustrations.
Buy it, do not hesitate, you won't regret!
Harry Potter - Enter the Magical Wizarding World!
Harry Potter is an amazing fantasy series like no other. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone lets you enter this magical, exciting, funny and peculiar world - The wizarding world, that is!
Harry Potter follows eleven year old Harry. His parents died in a car crash, leaving his horrible aunt and uncle to take care of them. Harry's aunt and uncle don't believe in magic, in fact they hate everyone who does, thinking its rubbish. So when strange and amazing things happen to Harry, they are even more enraged. Soon, mysterious letters arrive, from a magical school called Hogwarts.
Join Harry as he experiences his first year at a school of magic, meeting amazing friends and making lifelong enemies, uncovering dangerous secrets, and experiencing adventure after adventure.
This book is nothing near normal - but a mix of every exciting, fun, dangerous and amazing thing there is. This book will never leave your attention and you will never be able to put it down.
Ready for an amazing book? Read Harry Potter, and enter the Wizarding World!
Gift to pet sitter
Always love the Harry Potter series. My gift was the beginning of her experience at HEARING it read by the amazing Mr. Dale. In my view, the books came to life in a much different way from reading it myself. A wonderful experience, that I'm glad to share. She got the item and loved it.
thanks
s
left lacking......
Purchased the audio book for my husband for christmas. He listened to it around the end of Jan.(doesnt care to read the book but will listen going back and forth to work but likes the movies) and was left lacking because it contained two of disc 5 and no disc 7(the ending). I have emailed Listening Library but they have never responed to my request to get the 7th disc. I am dissapointed with their customer service.
|
|
