Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I think I am finally all Harry Pottered out. Inconceivable you say, but its true. It has taken me over two months to finish Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The first time I read this book I finished it in less than a week. I am still going to continue to read all the books in the series but at my own leisurely pace.

This marks the first book in the series where we are introduced to the majority of the key players. On Harry’s 11th birthday he finds out that he is a wizard and that a whole other world exists. He is ecstatic to learn that he will attend the famous Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he will learn to develop the skills to become a wizard. Harry also learns the truth about his parents being killed by Voldermort and that he is the only known person to survive the killing curse.

This book follows Harry’s first year at school and all the interesting people he encounters. He quickly befriends Ron Weasely and eventually they become friends with Hermione Granger. The book centers on them trying to find the Sorcerer’s Stone before it falls into the wrong hands.

Rowling sets up a lot of plot points that will eventually reveal itself in the future books. We learn that Harry’s Mother, Lily, died to protect him, which placed a protective charm over Harry. Professor Snape was a classmate of Harry’s Father, James, and Snape and James hated one another.

Most importantly we learn that Harry’s wand shares a core with Voldermort’s wand. As Mr. Ollivander states, “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.”

Book one is a good introduction to the world of Harry Potter. Seriously, if you haven’t read this series yet, now is a perfect time to start.