3 Reason Blog Post - 9/7

“He brought the umbrella swishing down through the air to point at Dudley-- there was a flash of violet light, a sound like a firecracker, a sharp squeal, and the next second, Dudley was dancing on the spot with his hands clasped over his fat bottom, howling in pain. When he turned his back on them, Harry saw a curly pig’s tail poking through a hole in his trousers.” (Rowling 59) This is just one of the many interesting yet humorous statements in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. The first book in this exciting series, it tells the beginnings of Harry Potter and his long journey of learning magic. It is funny, exciting, and well-written, is set in the breathtaking castle of Hogwarts and city of London, and clearly shows how the main characters change throughout the story.

A humorous book, J.K. Rowling creates a masterpiece of words. She makes you feel as if you are right there journeying with Harry Potter, learning the art of magic, and fighting the Dark Lord Voldemort. “He was going to smash right into that barrier and then he’d be in trouble -- leaning forward on his cart, he broke into a heavy run -- the barrier was coming nearer and nearer -- he wouldn’t be able to stop -- the cart was out of control --he was a foot away -- he closed his eyes ready for the crash -- It didn’t come… he kept on running… he opened his eyes. A scarlet steam engine was waiting…” ( Rowling ... )This is one of Harry’s first encounters with magic, a seemingly solid barrier that people could run through. The reader can truly feel as if though they are running alongside the famous Harry Potter through a wall onto Platform 9 ¾. “... wind whistled in his ears, mingled with the screams of people watching -- he stretched out his hand -- a foot from the ground he caught it, just in time to pull his broom straight…” (Rowling 149) Here, the author captures Harry’s first flying experience , and uses just the right wording to show it.

Another aspect of the fascinating first book is its setting. Yes, this whole series is set in England; the Dursley’s house (where Harry lived), Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts being the three places Harry spends his first year of mastering and honing his skills at magic. “Harry wished he had about eight more eyes. He turned his head in every direction as they walked up the street, trying to look at everything at once… These shops were selling robes, shops selling telescopes and strange instruments he had never seen before,windows stacked with barrels of bat spleens and eels’ eyes…” (Rowling 71-72) Rowling sets up a street market, one where wizarding families can get their school supplies, ice cream, and much more, and describes it so well. The reader can truly imagine what it would look like.

On the grounds of Hogwarts, Harry goes through many changes. One of these changes is becoming best friends with Ron and Hermione, and beginning to feel less lonely than he was his whole life. At the start of the book, Rowling writes, “At school, Harry had no one. Everybody knew that Dudley’s gang hated that odd Harry Potter in his baggy old clothes and broken glasses, and nobody liked to disagree with Dudley’s gang.” Harry had no friends and no one to talk to, at home and school. Later in the story, however, Rowling continues,  “‘Go on, have a pasty,’ said Harry, who had never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with. It was a nice feeling, sitting there with Ron…” (Rowling 102) This here is the start of Harry and Ron’s lifelong friendship, sharing treats on a train to magic school. Hermione’s friendship with the two boys truly began when they saved her from a troll in the bathroom: “But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their best friend. There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.” (Rowling 179)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone really is a fascinating read. J.K. Rowling demonstrates her fantastic writing abilities through the novel, creates a whole entire imaginary magic world that almost seems real, and portrays character development throughout the story. Yet again, this book is a really great novel, the one that started the Harry Potter fan craze.

Alyssa Pilecki