I admit it. I’m one of those who jumped on the bandwagon years after the craze started. I didn’t read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone until 2002. (Before going any further something needs to be clarified: In the United States the book was changed to Sorcerer’s Stone for reasons I have yet to understand. They have also changed the text to be “American”. All British turns of phrase and idioms have been changed to American. I guess Scholastic figured that their audience wasn’t sophisticated enough to want to read it the way it was written.)
I had just gotten out of the hospital after a four-week stint (one week for surgery, three for post-surgical infection) and my brother gave me a copy of Philosopher’s Stone. He said: “I loved it, and the rest, so I’m sure you’ll like them too.” He’s four years older then me, and knows me pretty well, so I thought I’d try it.
I think those books nearly saved my life. I spent the next year coming to grips with the fact that I was going to spend the rest of my life suffering from a chronic pain condition. At the same time, my wife developed a severe panic disorder. We were not in the greatest of shape.
When my mother came down for a visit a week or so after my brother she had gotten the message about what would make me happy and came with Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban. After two months, I must have read the three books at least three times each.
I consider myself fortunate in that, unlike others, I was able to read the first four books as a unit. It wasn’t until awaiting publication of the fifth book Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix that I became as obsessively impatient as, what seemed to be, the rest of the English-speaking world. I even decided to extend my torment by a week, by ordering a copy from England’s Bloomsbury Publishing, instead of a local outlet.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Gwen
This is a fabulous review. it was daring and bold to write so much about yourself in the opening, but it added a lot for me, and I think was a great way to explain how the books hold so much meaning for adult readers (I wasn't even sure you were an adult until I saw the word "wife")...
I first read Philosopher's Stone (bought it in England) in 99, when I was already well into my thirties, but like you it came at a time when I really needed to be reminded of possibilities, magic, enduring relationships.
This is a really great summation of the book too on many levels. Well done!
2 - Steve
Nice review...I started reading the HP books in 2002 as an adult in my 30's too, about 6 months after the the first movie came out. I know people have complained about the amount of 'filler' in book 6, but I enjoyed being able to take breaks from the action and just enjoy the character interaction (although the Ron/Hermione thing has been stretched out a bit too much, it's been going on a few books now!!). I guess that's why I enjoyed books 4 & 5 so much, plenty of room for character development (and new characters), as well as action!! HBP hasn't been the most thrilling of the series, but I enjoyed it anyway.
3 - vesta
I can identify with this reviewer because I was a late fan myself. I've read the first four books without being sucked into the muck of the media hype surrounding them. I read book 5 with all the enthusiasm of a kid awaiting the next installment of Harry's adventures and I was not disappointed. LOng winded as it is, OotP was a great read. With book 6, I was so hyped that I preordered the book, joined discussion forums to speculate on what will happen, even joined shipping debates. When I finally finished reading HBP, I was greatly disappointed.
Yes, it's normal for kids that age to experience those raging hormones but the author should have smoothly incorporated it in the storyline. HP is not a romance novel. The kids' romantic flings were not part of the general plot. It was just inserted like an afterthought as if the author wanted to show that they're adolescents so they should have dates. The Harry/Ginny relationship was contrived and off putting. After having ignored her for 5 books, Harry is now in "love" with her. Then he ditched her because he doesn't want her to be in danger. That scene fell flat because in the next scene he allowed Ron and Hermione to join him in his quest. The romantic flings did not do much for the plot and HBP stands at the bottom now of my HP books. Aside from it having the thinnest plot,the annoying inconsistencies of character and the spells have put me off Harry Potter,no, J.K. Rowling.
4 - Mickey
Great review Gypsyman. I actually read my first Harry Potter book - i.e. , the latest - the Half-Blood Prince only 2 weeks back. All these years I have been totally out of the loop as far as the Potter mania was concerned - mainly because I thought these were books for little children. It was only 2 weeks back that I stumbled upon pirated internet e-book of book #6 HBP - pdf file , complete and unabridged. Since then , I have been reading in the reverse order , i.e. , #5 , #4 , and now I am currently reading #3. All pirated free internet pdf files , of course ;)
5 - Mickey
And my favorite character is young Tom Riddle (who later becomes Lord Voldemorth). I identify with that guy. Intelligent , handsome and evil. Sexy combination dare I say...
6 - Caleb Harry Potter Fanatic
I've got it. There was six horcruxes right. nagina (Voldemorts snake), Marvelo's Ring, Slytherins locket, Hufflepuffs cup or goblet,the diary, something of Ravenclaws, and sorry HARRY POTTER. Reason i think that is because you have to do a terrible thing to create a horcrux, well voldermort killed harry's mom in order to make harry the seventh horcrux. Which I think means that harry will kill himself in order to kill Voldemort.
7 - ben dover
Harry Potter, a horcrux...great theory...though I hope Harry doesn't die!
8 - Kayla Edelsten
i think the 7 horcruxs are voldemorts snake, the locket, Hufflepuffs cup, the diary, something of Ravenclaws, marvelo's ring and eather harrys mum or dads grave.
9 - numbah6
Hi Dave.
10 - bob
hi you stuipd landon
11 - numbah6
I thought Harry Potter & the half blood prince was awesome. It told me alot about Voldemort's younger days. I however don't think Ginny and Harry are a good match. However Hermione and Ron are a good couple.
12 - numbah6
I think Ginny deserves someone better.
13 - falcoman
i don't think one of the 7 horcurxes is one of harry's parents graves it doesn't seem to match J.K's style
14 - hpfan!!!!!!!
I was soooooooo sad when Dumbledore died at the end, but I think he was pleading for Snape to kill him. Snape would have to anyway, bound by the Unbreakable Vow. Snape is really not evil, because when he was deflecting Harry's jinxes
1. he did not aim any back
2. he was yelling advice for harry to defeat voldemort
3. he saved harry from the killing curse
4. he seemed very upset when yelling "I AM NOT A COWARD!!!" which shows that he really did not want to kill Dumbledore but had to because Dumbledore was pleading for him to.
Snape is a good person, and only had to kill Dumbledore so he could have Voldemort's full trust. Then he would help Harry (and I bet Draco Malfoy will as well... he is not evil at heart as you could see in the book) defeat Voldemort and destroy his horcruxes.
This is just what I think... I know my theory is far fetched, but if you think about it it makes perfect sense.
Also, Dumbledore was arguing with Snape earlier in the book. I bet this has something to do with it.
this was long! Bye!
15 - Aaman
Do these spoilers matter anymore?
16 - Karin
Wow, Caleb Harry Potter Fanatic, brilliant theory about Harry being the last Horcrux. What better way to bring closure to the whole series? I think you're spot-on with that one.
17 - gobletguy
I think HP FAN is quite reasonable about Dumbledore begging Snape to kill him. But Snape said Voldemort already trusted him, and when Snape was about to kill Dumbledore, there was "hatred" etched on his face. Also, if Snape really wanted to kill Voldemort, wouldn't it be easier if Dumbledore was alive so he could help Harry?
18 - greatest HP fan
I agree with "gobletguy" and would like to add that Snape could have sacrificed his life by breaking the Unbreakable Vow, or anyway should not have made one at all in the first place. And he was also very good at Legilimency so he could have fooled Voldemort without having to kill Dumbledore. But anyway, I think that HP fAN'S idea was very good.
19 - crazed about HP
I don not really agree with Caleb Harry Potter Fanatic about the fact that Harry will have to kill himself since it said in the book that Voldemort wanted to seize the chance at making another horcrux after killing Harry but did not succeed because he lost his power straight afterwards and according to Dumbledore, had to use his snake instead. So i do not really think he has to kill himself, but it was a good theory anyway.
20 - hp4life
I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments and theories. I think that this is what makes the HP series so much fun for adults, enabling us to enter the world of the youthful. JKR has done an amazing job and is setting our darling Harry up to potentially be the greatest tragic hero of all time (pending book 7). As far as HBP goes, I enjoyed the change from the dark mood of OOTP, to a book that allows Harry to experience romance, laughter and fun. After all, in the end, aren't these all of the things that he will be risking his life to save for the rest of the world?? Shouldn't he be able to have a taste of it? For him to let go of Ginny, I think Harry is doing the right thing. I feel the Harry has lost enough of the people that he loves and if something happened to Ginny, I think it could potentially put Harry over the edge. As far as Ron and Hermione are concerned, no matter what Harry says, I don't think there is anything he could do to persuade them from helping him in the upcoming book. This adventure began with the three amigos and should end that way as well.
I too have toyed with the idea of Harry being a horcrux, but I think that if he is, neither he or Voldemort are aware of it. There has to be a horcrux that is of Gryffindor decent. Remember, we still do not know a lot about the background of Harry's parents, especially his father. Clearly they were very wealthy people and I think that they may be from the Gryffindor line. Maybe the Gryffindor horcrux is something that Harry can discover by simply doing a little research on his own family tree.
The Snape good guy-bad guy routine has been driving me crazy since finding out the Snape was a Death-Eater. I try to believe that he wouldn't cross Dumbledore, but there's something off about him. I still remember in GOF when Voldemort was addressing the Death Eaters and said that his most loyal servant was at Hogwarts. It was easy to jump to the conclusion that Barty Crouch, Jr. was that servant, but I'm curious to know if maybe Voldemort was speaking of Snape.
What I am hopeful for is that when book 7 is complete, Harry will be alive and his curse broken (NO MORE SCAR!!!!!!!)
21 - with karate ill kik ur ass
doubt it very much
22 - crazed bout HP
Reminder--a horcrux is an OBJECT you put your soul in so Harry certainly CANNOT be one. Good ideas, HP4life. till we meet again...
23 - 123
does anyone know a website that has the 6th book on the web so i can just read it off the net,or is anyone willing to type out the whole book for me,please,please,please,i've been dying to read the book and i wanna kno wut happens,i kno there is a website where you can read the stories,but i dunno the name
24 - djfka HP
Why don't you just go and buy the book? You can order by internet or go to any bookstore.
25 - eriqo
hey 123, comment 23
If you ask more specific questions perhaps I could help you out.