Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the first book of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. This book is the very first - and possibly my favorite - fantasy book I've ever read. I read this book for the first time when I was 13 years old. I still remember it very well, at that time my oldest sister bought this book (Indonesian version) and showed it to me. I was not very interested in reading anything without picture in it, but she insisted that i had to read it or at least try to read the first chapter. So I sat down that afternoon, read the first chapter, and didn't put it down until I finished.

Now, 20 years later (did I just accidentally mention my age?) I keep coming back to the Harry Potter series whenever I run out of things to read. As an adult, of course I have to read this series in English. I have to admit, over the years I've become a potterhead. I not only have the books and the e-books, the audio books (I listen to audio books on storytel app), I am also a proud owner of Harry Potter complete edition for adults (I bought it from bol.com) 

Well, okay, I can go on for hours talking about my Harry Potter obsession, but let's not go that far (this time.... lol...). So how good is this book? This is a difficult question. It depends on who you are, I guess. If you are a hardcore fantasy fan who is already familiar with fantasy worlds, and expects a Tolkienesque (whatever the hell it is.. lol...) level of fantasy then Harry Potter might fall a bit short. But that doesn't mean it isn't good! The magical world in Harry Potter is a bit simple compared to the worlds Tolkien and George R. R, Martin made. I can imagine the lack of knights, princesses, and quests might be a disappointment to hardcore fantasy readers but that actually makes this book suitable for beginners. In fact, I have to admit if I didn't read this book when I was 13, I wouldn't be an avid reader like I am now.

Because of the lack of complex fantasy elements, this book is an easy read. You will not have a problem reading it in one sit (it took me around 8 hours to finish it) even though you are not into fantasy, or reading in general. When I read this for the first time, I was instantly hypnotized by the characters, and laughing out loud by how funny it was. J.K. Rowling's idea of funny is very subtle. It is not in-your-face kind of humor, and that's how I like it. I read (and listened to) this book countless times, and I still laugh when Hagrid gives Dudley a pig tail. 

If you are a novice fantasy reader, you'll be taken away into the magical world on the "other" side of London. Be prepared to be enchanted by Diagon Alley - an alley filled with magical shops from broomstick, magical menagerie, robes for all occasions, and shops that will sell you unicorn tail hair and all ingredients you need for your potion - or by Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry - an old castle full of magic (it is a magic school, duh). 

Overall, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a good book especially for young reader. I'd also suggest to give it to a child who is not a keen reader. This book will make them beg for more (I already converted 5 children. Yay me!). This might not be a full blown fantasy book, but hey, sometimes less is more. Sometimes you just need to read a good book that will transform you to another world. 

"Harry, Yer a wizzard"

Harry potter is a boy who lived in a cupboard under the stairs at number 4 privet drive. He lived there with his aunt, uncle, and a long time bully: his cousin Dudley Dursley. For long time he thought that he was just an ordinary orphan boy, and that his parents died from a car accident happened when he was one year old. However, he was anything but ordinary.

He noticed that weird things kept happening every time he was in trouble. When his aunt cut his hair way too short, his hair grew back in the following morning, or when Dudley chased him across the school yard he could jump so high he landed on the school roof. But those were nothing compare to his visit to the zoo where he set free a boa constrictor after talking to the snake (yes... he talked to the snake).

One day he received a letter from unknown sender that will change his life forever...

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

Albus Dumbledore