Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) by J.K. Rowling

Product Description

Read by Jim Dale
8 hours 17 minutes, 7 CDs

Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable muggle aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's a wizard, just as his parents were.

But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright.

From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #2176 in Books
Published on: 1999-12-01
Released on: 1999-12-01
Formats: Audiobook, Unabridged
Number of items: 7
Binding: Audio CD
Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the nonmagic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley.

A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave kids clamoring for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (Ages 8 to 13) --Karin Snelson

Amazon.com Audiobook Review
The amazing popularity of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone means that now even Muggles know about the Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Whether or not you've read about Harry, this unabridged audiobook brings his world to life. Reader Jim Dale brings an excellent range of voices to the characters, from well-meaning Hermione's soft, earnest voice to Malfoy's nasal droning; from Professor McGonagall's crisp brogue to Hagrid's broad Somerset accent; and from snarling Mr. Filch to p-p-poor, st-tuttering P-Professor Quirrel. Some of the characterizations are peculiar--why do the centaurs have Welsh accents?--but that's a small price to pay to hear one of the myriad ways to sing the Hogwarts School song. Harry Potter fans of all ages--Muggle or not--will enjoy curling up with a few chocolate frogs, a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans ("Alas! Ear wax!"), and this marvelous, magical audiobook. (Running time: 8 hours, 6 cassettes) --Sunny Delaney

From Publishers Weekly
The breakaway bestseller is now in paperback. In a starred review, PW said, "Readers are in for a delightful romp with this debut from a British author who dances in the footsteps of P.L. Travers and Roald Dahl." Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Customer Reviews

One of the Best books EVER turned into a movie!!
I saw all the movies first so I was kind of worried the movies weren't going to be like the books but they are!!!! I loved it a must read for everybody!!!!

A book needing no introduction...
I started reading this book very hesitantly and for the first time in a decade with a solemn promise to self. I would read all of the Potter books. I would. I would make myself, just to understand the series and constant references...

Okay, okay, okay, and I have to admit -- I liked it. No huge surprise -- any international is pretty much likely to be at least entertaining.

I, for the sake of throwing this out there, HATE reviewing smash hits. Be it film or novel, it's very hard for me, because I know all of the fangs of such work (and so often there are so many) will scorn any criticisms I have. (I'm dreading the next time I watch Titanic. Seriously.)

Anyway, Potter's got all the elements of a good, especially introductory, novel. It's got the engaging plot, great characters, catchy opener, and enough humor, especially for young audiences.

I also have to admit that I am a huge fan of Rowling's world-building. You go, woman. From the perspective of the last time I read Potter, all that really mattered was whether or not the story and characters were entertaining, and the "bigger picture" of the novel was lass important. Now, I have to give J.K.R. credit for far more than just that. It's truly an ideal setup novel for a series like this. Everything's set up so amazingly well.

Now, and I have to admit a lot of styles kept jumping into my mind as I read this book. Rowling has a style and tone that, at times, reads frighteningly much like Roald Dahl, and I kept getting occasional flashbacks to the "Great Brain" books of John D. Fitzgerald. Not that these similarities are a form of criticism by any means. Mere observation.

And really, having finished, I can't find anything... concrete... to criticize. It's a good book. No doubt there. But is it worthy of the entire microcosm universe it spawned in today's pop-culture world? Of that I'm not one-hundred percent certain.

Truly great fun for all ages!
Call me a Muggle, but I'm finally getting around to reading the Harry Potter books. We've seen the movies but haven't read the books yet (well, my husband bought and read Deathly Hallows without having read the rest!). I found the storytelling superb and could see why it would grab the attention and imagination of readers of all ages. The story just flies along and takes you with it. The characters are smartly written, even if they're either a little too obviously good guys or bad guys. Except Snape, of course, who I find the most interesting character so far. If you're trying to get your young ones interesting in reading, these books should do the trick. And if you're a grownup, you should read them, too. Outstanding writing and just great fun.