Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy. He lives with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley, who make him sleep in a cupboard under t...
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Feb 07, 2012
Lora
rated it: 
I'm going to keep this brief since there isn't much to say that hasn't already been said. *clears throat*
I think the reason I waited so long to read this series is because I just couldn't imagine myself enjoying reading about an eleven-year-old boy and his adventures at a school of wizardry. I thought it would be too juvenile for my taste. I was wrong, of course.
I can honestly say that I loved every minute of this. It's a spectacular little romp with funny, courageous, and endearing More...
I think the reason I waited so long to read this series is because I just couldn't imagine myself enjoying reading about an eleven-year-old boy and his adventures at a school of wizardry. I thought it would be too juvenile for my taste. I was wrong, of course.
I can honestly say that I loved every minute of this. It's a spectacular little romp with funny, courageous, and endearing More...
35 comments
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(94 people liked it)
Sep 24, 2011
notgettingenough
rated it: 
So, I keep getting hate comments for this review and I thought it would be nice if you all had a place you could get together and badmouth it. Announcing....
A new group:
People who hate my Harry Potter review....
Come this way:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/4788...
I'd be honoured if you joined. And I'm really sorry to all the people who wrote comments here which I misguidedly deleted.
---------------------------
More...
A new group:
People who hate my Harry Potter review....
Come this way:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/4788...
I'd be honoured if you joined. And I'm really sorry to all the people who wrote comments here which I misguidedly deleted.
---------------------------
More...
133 comments
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(55 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Harold
rated it:
Can 35 Million Book Buyers Be Wrong? Yes.
Taking arms against Harry Potter, at this moment, is to emulate Hamlet taking arms against a sea of troubles. By opposing the sea, you won't end it. The Harry Potter epiphenomenon will go on, doubtless for some time, as J. R. R. Tolkien did, and then wane.
The official newspaper of our dominant counter-culture, The New York Times, has been startled by the Potter books into establishing a new policy for its not very literate book rev More...
Taking arms against Harry Potter, at this moment, is to emulate Hamlet taking arms against a sea of troubles. By opposing the sea, you won't end it. The Harry Potter epiphenomenon will go on, doubtless for some time, as J. R. R. Tolkien did, and then wane.
The official newspaper of our dominant counter-culture, The New York Times, has been startled by the Potter books into establishing a new policy for its not very literate book rev More...
135 comments
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(98 people liked it)
Sep 24, 2011
Nikki
rated it: 
I really don't like Harry Potter. It's one of those little concealed but apparently not widely known facts about me, which shocks everyone when I say I love books and they're all, "yeah, rite, Harry Potter is so awesum rite?" and I say "...no, it really isn't." I confess: when I was eleven or twelve or so, I read them. I also read the Sabrina the Teenage Witch novels. I read everything and wasn't very discriminating about it. I did enjoy them. I continued to enjoy them until
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55 comments
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(43 people liked it)
Dec 27, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it: 
What's your favorite book from childhood? Do you remember? I had two, but both written by the same author; they were The Secret Garden and A Little Princess. I can remember reading them over and over again. I remember pestering my mother and librarians for books like them. I remember reading them into my teenage years, when I was home sick and needed something more comforting than the softest blanket and ginger ale. For me, these are two of the greatest books ever written because they're mine, m
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100 comments
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(79 people liked it)
Mar 19, 2009
Bells
rated it: 
I read this long long ago to see how "evil" it was. You know, does it encourage children to become witches and wizards? Does reading Harry Potter cause evil?
After chopping off the heads of chickens, bats, a stray cat, and mixing it up in acauldron pot, I dipped in my voo-doo doll and put a curse on my neighbor. (nothing too bad, just a case of incurable body lice) I then decided there is absoultely nothing wrong with Harry Potter!
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After chopping off the heads of chickens, bats, a stray cat, and mixing it up in a
More...
33 comments
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(62 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Mike
rated it:
I'm not going to comment on the literary shortcomings of this book, the cliches, the painfully long narrative, the fact that the characters will not think about an issue for months, but then suddenly it becomes important again. Smarter people than me have already said all this.
What bothers me about the Harry Potter universe is its characterization of magic. Why is magic so easy in the Harry Potter universe? It's only moderately a matter of skill to use magic. Magic is mostly saying t More...
What bothers me about the Harry Potter universe is its characterization of magic. Why is magic so easy in the Harry Potter universe? It's only moderately a matter of skill to use magic. Magic is mostly saying t More...
40 comments
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(32 people liked it)
Nov 14, 2010
K.D.
rated it:
How can more than half of my Goodreads friends be wrong with this?
I have to get this right. As of this writing, I have 98 Goodreads friends. 61 (62%) of them have read J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Out of those who read this, 39 (64%) rated this with 5 stars. 11 of them with 4 stars. All the others gave 3 or 2. Only 2 rated this with 1 star. One of them admitted not being able to finish it.She should not have rated it really since she did not read its entire
More...
I have to get this right. As of this writing, I have 98 Goodreads friends. 61 (62%) of them have read J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Out of those who read this, 39 (64%) rated this with 5 stars. 11 of them with 4 stars. All the others gave 3 or 2. Only 2 rated this with 1 star. One of them admitted not being able to finish it.
89 comments
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(64 people liked it)
Sep 24, 2011
Hollis
rated it:
Supermarket literature for fresh generations of illiterates. What's not to like? For the TV-stunned audience of today, I think frantically marketed childrens books are about all we can focus on. Actually, I think the first few Potters were not too bad but after ''Harry Potter and the Crock of Shit'' and ''Harry Potter and the Forest of Embarassment'' I think they started to go down in quality. I fucking hate them. No, really. I don't hate the books themselves but they are books for kids at
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41 comments
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(10 people liked it)
Aug 25, 2011
Keely
rated it:
Fairly standard kid's fantasy fare from Rowling as she re-introduces the world to the classic British fairy tale, which had been mostly forgotten since Tolkien spliced it with the epic. She mines gold from this rich and storied tradition, but doesn't really fashion anything unique from it.
We can see the beginnings of Rowling's authorial failings (and a hint of her strengths as well). She adopts Rouald Dahl's 'awful family' trope, though it's clear that Rowling does not have the gift More...
We can see the beginnings of Rowling's authorial failings (and a hint of her strengths as well). She adopts Rouald Dahl's 'awful family' trope, though it's clear that Rowling does not have the gift More...
29 comments
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(12 people liked it)
Dec 06, 2010
Becky
rated it:
I wasn't sure if I was going to write a review of these books, but I try to write a review of all of the books that I read, and it's been kind of nagging at me that I didn't write one for this. It's hard to write a review for a book that is so dang popular and well known. What is there to say that's new? I dunno. I think pretty much everything's been said, but still I wanted to write a review for this, and to talk about these books, even if I'm just rehashing everything that's already been done.
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41 comments
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(21 people liked it)
Aug 07, 2011
Brad
rated it:
Is there any point in saying anything about Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone anymore? Not really. Not as far as critiques go.
If I were to delve into some interesting critical analysis of an issue raised in The Philosopher's Stone, or take a critical look at Rowling's authorship, then maybe...but most everything that can be said about liking or disliking the book, about its excellence or its shabbiness has been said.
And while I feel I may eventually take a stand f More...
If I were to delve into some interesting critical analysis of an issue raised in The Philosopher's Stone, or take a critical look at Rowling's authorship, then maybe...but most everything that can be said about liking or disliking the book, about its excellence or its shabbiness has been said.
And while I feel I may eventually take a stand f More...
7 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Nov 14, 2007
Sue
rated it:
Harry Potter is the most miserable, lonely boy you can imagine. He’s shunned by his relatives, the Dursley’s, that have raised him since he was an infant. He’s forced to live in the cupboard under the stairs, forced to wear his cousin Dudley’s hand-me-down clothes, and forced to go to his neighbour’s house when the rest of the family is doing something fun. Yes, he’s just about as miserable as you can get.
Harry’s world gets turned upside down on his 11th birthday, however. A giant, More...
Harry’s world gets turned upside down on his 11th birthday, however. A giant, More...
Sep 24, 2011
★ Jess
rated it:
A note in regard to the on-going Potter vs Twilight debate:
Go ahed, tell me Twilight is better.
Tell me that James is scarier then Voldemort,
That the Cullens are a better family then the Weasly's
That Edward is cooler then Harry,
and Bella is smarter then Hermione.
Tell me that Stephenie Meyer is more talented then J.K. Rowling.
Go ahed,
I dare you.
Those who think the topic of Harry Potter or Twilight is worth debating an More...
Go ahed, tell me Twilight is better.
Tell me that James is scarier then Voldemort,
That the Cullens are a better family then the Weasly's
That Edward is cooler then Harry,
and Bella is smarter then Hermione.
Tell me that Stephenie Meyer is more talented then J.K. Rowling.
Go ahed,
I dare you.
Those who think the topic of Harry Potter or Twilight is worth debating an More...
7 comments
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(22 people liked it)
Aug 07, 2011
Miloš & Brontë
rated it:
Papa: So what did you think, Brontë?
Brontë: I loved when...well, there's one part that I loved. I mean that I really loved. That there was a couple stuff that I really loved that was cool and exciting, but I can't remember those. Well...I...loved the movie of it, except the one with Dobby. I hated that. He gives me nightmares.
Papa: But what did you think of the Philosopher's Stone?
Brontë: I liked when we in Calgary and he looked the Mirror.
Papa: Yo More...
Brontë: I loved when...well, there's one part that I loved. I mean that I really loved. That there was a couple stuff that I really loved that was cool and exciting, but I can't remember those. Well...I...loved the movie of it, except the one with Dobby. I hated that. He gives me nightmares.
Papa: But what did you think of the Philosopher's Stone?
Brontë: I liked when we in Calgary and he looked the Mirror.
Papa: Yo More...
Oct 22, 2007
Carmen
rated it:
What stands out in book one:
* Harry's first trip to the zoo with the Dursleys, when a boa constrictor winks at him.
* When the Dursleys' house is suddenly besieged by letters for Harry from Hogwarts. Readers learn how much the Dursleys have been keeping from Harry. Rowling does a wonderful job in displaying the lengths to which Uncle Vernon will go to deny that magic exists.
* Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Full of curiosities and rich with magic and mar More...
* Harry's first trip to the zoo with the Dursleys, when a boa constrictor winks at him.
* When the Dursleys' house is suddenly besieged by letters for Harry from Hogwarts. Readers learn how much the Dursleys have been keeping from Harry. Rowling does a wonderful job in displaying the lengths to which Uncle Vernon will go to deny that magic exists.
* Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Full of curiosities and rich with magic and mar More...
Apr 01, 2009
Marian
rated it:
How could I not give this book 5 stars? I would live in fear of being strung up the nearest Muggle tree! Thankfully, it was a great book and well deserving of high praise.
Not to mention Harry Potter gives way to this famous Office scene:
Michael Scott: We are going to choose team names. Dwight!
Dwight Schrute: We will be called Gryffindor!
Jim Halpert: Really? Not Slytherin?
Dwight Schrute: Slytherin are the bad guys, Jim.
Jim Halpert: I know. Okay, we More...
Not to mention Harry Potter gives way to this famous Office scene:
Michael Scott: We are going to choose team names. Dwight!
Dwight Schrute: We will be called Gryffindor!
Jim Halpert: Really? Not Slytherin?
Dwight Schrute: Slytherin are the bad guys, Jim.
Jim Halpert: I know. Okay, we More...
31 comments
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(41 people liked it)
Apr 03, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Feb 23, 2008
Chloe
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
0 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Feb 09, 2008
Chris
rated it:
Since pretty much everyone I know has read these books, I figure reviewing them is pretty pointless. But with the new book coming out in a couple of weeks, I have to go through them beginning to end. To make the reviews more entertaining, I will be doing them in a variety of unexpected formats. For this review, I will be writing as someone incapable of suspending his disbelief.
This book was terrible! I mean, this author is obviously on drugs or insane or something like that, and why More...
This book was terrible! I mean, this author is obviously on drugs or insane or something like that, and why More...
13 comments
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(18 people liked it)
Nov 29, 2010
Mariel
rated it:
I'm not the usual Harry Potter fan, I don't think.
To the well organized mind death is but the next great adventure." - Albus Dumbledore I don't wanna die! Who cares? My favorite Dumbledore is Aberforth. Y'know, the one who performed an experimental charm on goats and got sent to appear before the ministry for it. Albus isn't even sure he can read, for that matter. I'm more Aberforth on the wisdom scale, fo' sho'. (I once asked JK Rowling what the charm was. She said my guess w More...
To the well organized mind death is but the next great adventure." - Albus Dumbledore I don't wanna die! Who cares? My favorite Dumbledore is Aberforth. Y'know, the one who performed an experimental charm on goats and got sent to appear before the ministry for it. Albus isn't even sure he can read, for that matter. I'm more Aberforth on the wisdom scale, fo' sho'. (I once asked JK Rowling what the charm was. She said my guess w More...
22 comments
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(12 people liked it)
Sep 04, 2007
Patrick
rated it:
Oh go to hell. These things are like crack.
So I just finished the 7th one and I have no intention of re-reading them, though I do have fond memories of them. My most recent encounter with Harry Potter was on an airplane a couple of days ago. This humongous 16 year old kid from North Dakota was sitting next to me reading the 5th book. He smelled like cereal and farts and was audibly mouth-breathing for the whole flight. I tried to engage him in conversation periodically to More...
0 comments
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(16 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Dawn Michelle
rated it:
I fought the Harry Potter phenom for so long that when I finally did succumb to it, I was blown away at why I resisted for so freaking long!!!!
WHAT a great series! But as I am very Type-A, I am going to review each book individually as they all have interesting aspects to them.
This is the first book in the series. You meet Harry. You learn a tiny bit about who he is and why he is with his Aunt and Uncle at the very beginning of the book. You learn quickly to DESPISE his Aunt and Uncl More...
WHAT a great series! But as I am very Type-A, I am going to review each book individually as they all have interesting aspects to them.
This is the first book in the series. You meet Harry. You learn a tiny bit about who he is and why he is with his Aunt and Uncle at the very beginning of the book. You learn quickly to DESPISE his Aunt and Uncl More...
0 comments
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(15 people liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Silvercharmer
rated it:
It's nice to go back and re-read the first HP book, because this is where Rowling's strengths as a writer really show through: her imagination and line by line prose. As the series goes on, it becomes more and more about Voldemort and the issues at hand, pushing the wizarding world to the background and forcing her to rely on what she is not best at, which is character development and pacing.
I think this is Rowling at her best. There's no debating that this woman has an imagination t More...
I think this is Rowling at her best. There's no debating that this woman has an imagination t More...
Mar 23, 2008
Trevor
rated it:
It wasn't called this at all - but for some reason the title changed in the US and there is no original title versions of this on this site, which is also strange. How terribly odd.
Anyway, I read this to the kids - in fact, the first four books to them - just before the tidal wave of popularity. We had just finished reading all the books of Dahl and were looking for something else to be getting on with - and there was this article in the paper saying that the Fundamentalist Chris More...
Anyway, I read this to the kids - in fact, the first four books to them - just before the tidal wave of popularity. We had just finished reading all the books of Dahl and were looking for something else to be getting on with - and there was this article in the paper saying that the Fundamentalist Chris More...
4 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Nov 29, 2011
Patrick Marvin
rated it:
I. LOVE. IT.
The story focuses on 11-year-old Harry Potter who, after his birthday, discovers that his parents and himself are wizards. He eventually discovers that Lord Voldemort, the most feared wizard at that time, was the reason why his parents died and caused the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. Throughout the book, he befriends goofy Ron and terrible-smart Hermione. And he also made an enemy on Draco Malfoy, whose father is a Death Eater (a follower of Voldemort). When he More...
The story focuses on 11-year-old Harry Potter who, after his birthday, discovers that his parents and himself are wizards. He eventually discovers that Lord Voldemort, the most feared wizard at that time, was the reason why his parents died and caused the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. Throughout the book, he befriends goofy Ron and terrible-smart Hermione. And he also made an enemy on Draco Malfoy, whose father is a Death Eater (a follower of Voldemort). When he More...
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Feb 01, 2012
Nina ♥
rated it:
Edit: JUST RE-READ THIS! What can I say, after reading the most amazing book on the face of the planet Deathly Hallows, I just had to read this again! Nostalgia got to me. xD
Review: Loved this book. :)
It was a little boring at first (especially since I'd seen the movie before reading the book), but it got better halfway through.
I adored Harry, Hermione, and Ron; loved their constant banter, their epicrule breaking adventures. Their friendship is one of the m
More...
Review: Loved this book. :)
It was a little boring at first (especially since I'd seen the movie before reading the book), but it got better halfway through.
I adored Harry, Hermione, and Ron; loved their constant banter, their epic
2 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Jul 03, 2011
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it:
I read this years ago...my kids were still young.
Did it bother anyone else that the publishers assumed Americans were too ignorant to know what the "philosopher's stone" was?
yah, me to.
Well anyway, I've read and listened to this (these) and gone back to them several times since. Even though my children are grown I still enjoy this series of books. As originally written the series (considering the time between publication of each volume) actually grew with More...
Did it bother anyone else that the publishers assumed Americans were too ignorant to know what the "philosopher's stone" was?
yah, me to.
Well anyway, I've read and listened to this (these) and gone back to them several times since. Even though my children are grown I still enjoy this series of books. As originally written the series (considering the time between publication of each volume) actually grew with More...
4 comments
like
(6 people liked it)
Feb 01, 2010
Meg
rated it:
LEAH'S RATING (age 4): 5 STARS
RAEF'S RATING (age 6): 4 STARS
MEG'S RATING (age--none of your business): 5 STARS
LEAH'S REVIEW:
I liked the book and I liked the movie. It was exciting when they destroyed the troll.
LEAH'S FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Welcome!" (Dumbledore) said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! T More...
RAEF'S RATING (age 6): 4 STARS
MEG'S RATING (age--none of your business): 5 STARS
LEAH'S REVIEW:
I liked the book and I liked the movie. It was exciting when they destroyed the troll.
LEAH'S FAVORITE QUOTE:
"Welcome!" (Dumbledore) said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! T More...
2 comments
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(18 people liked it)
