"As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all - the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them."
Some of the categories in my Popsugar Challenge this year have me re-reading some favorites from the past. One such category is "a book you've read before that never fails to make you smile". Immediately, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone sprang to mind. Happily, I was given the illustrated version of the novel last Christmas, meaning that I can use this book for part of my TBR Challenge as well, since I haven't read this particular edition of the story yet. It's so nice when reading challenge categories overlap!
Like many kids growing up in the 90s, Harry Potter was a huge part of my childhood. I was at just the right age to attend midnight book releases and movie premieres as each new installment of the series came out. There was an excitement surrounding these novels that I had never felt before and doubt that I'll ever feel again. Everyone was reading Harry Potter and almost everyone loved it. I rarely read books twice, but I've read each book in this series multiple times. They never fail to hold my interest. It's actually hard to put into words the fondness I feel for these stories. When I walked into the recreation of Diagon Alley at Universal Studios for the first time and saw those books come to life, I very nearly cried. So yes, this is most definitely a book that always makes me smile.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the story of a young orphan boy named Harry, who is sent to live with his aunt Petunia, uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley after his parent die under mysterious circumstances. He has a difficult childhood, as his aunt and uncle deeply dislike him and his cousin bullies him constantly. What's more, he seems to be able to make strange things happen, like grow his hair back overnight after a bad haircut, or transport himself to the top of a building to get away from his cousin.
His life is irrevocably changed on his eleventh birthday when he learns that he is a wizard. He is accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a school for magic that becomes an important refuge for him. It takes him away from his horrible aunt and uncle, teaches him all sorts of incredible magical skills, and allows him to make friends and fit into a community for the first time in his life. His previous life, which consisted mainly of living in a cupboard under the stairs and being harangued by his aunt and uncle, is replaced with a wondrous one full of magic wands, spell books, and enchantments.
As he navigates his way through the school year, he begins to learn details about his past and his parents. They were killed by a powerful dark wizard named Voldemort, and Harry quickly learns that his destiny is intertwined with this villain's. On the night Voldemort murdered Harry's parents, he tried to kill Harry too, who was just an infant at the time. For some reason, the curse he cast backfired and nearly destroyed him, while Harry emerged unscathed, except for a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt. Figuring out what happened that night and why is one of the most important questions of the series. Harry only scratches the surface of it in this novel.
Much of what happens in The Sorcerer's Stone is concerned with establishing the Potter universe, introducing a colorful cast of characters, and laying the groundwork for a story that stretches over seven novels. Each novel covers the events of one year at Hogwarts. Aside from the universe building that occurs, this first book sees Harry trying to prevent the Sorcerer's Stone, a powerful magic object, from falling into the wrong hands. His quest to protect the stone leads him into several dangerous and suspenseful situations which show off his bravery, intelligence, and kindness; through his acts, we get a glimpse of the wizard he will become.
This novel, more than any other I've read, has the ability to take me away from reality and stick me into a world of fantasy and magic. Rowling's writing is engaging, well-paced, and endlessly whimsical. Put simply, she is a master storyteller. The world she creates swallows the reader up from head to toe and makes them long to be at Hogwarts with Harry and his friends. This is children's literature at its absolute finest.
Aside from the writing style, the characters Rowling creates shine. Harry's pals, Ron and Hermione, feel just like childhood friends you had growing up. Headmaster Dumbledore is the wise old grandfather figure everyone adores. Draco Malfoy is that spoiled, awful child from school that you couldn't stand. Severus Snape is the mean, hateful teacher whose class you used to dread. Every character, from the major players to the minor ones, feel real. They are so well-written that their names stick in your head and you remember all sorts of details about them. Once you read the books a few times, you honestly feel like you know these people in real life, and that's not something I've experienced with any other series.
Reading the illustrated version of the novel added a whole other layer of magic to the reading experience. Jim Kay, who also illustrated the incredible A Monster Calls, has created some truly beautiful images to go along with the story. I was excited to turn each page to see what the next pictures would looks like. They perfectly match with the style and tone of the novel. If I ever have children, when I introduce them to Harry Potter, it will be with this version.
The Harry Potter series owns a pretty big piece of my heart, and I very much enjoyed the chance to visit this universe again. I'm still waiting on my Hogwarts letter to arrive - until then, rereading these books are the best I can do. If anyone out there, by some chance, hasn't picked these novels up yet, I implore you to give them a shot. You might fall in love like I did.
Challenge Tally
Popsugar Challenge: (a book you've read before that never fails to make you smile) 27/40
TBR Challenge: (previously owned) 24/60
Total Books Read in 2017: 30
No comments:
Post a Comment
So, what do you think?