Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) Audio CD – Audiobook, CD, Unabridged

I resisted reading this book for a long time, thinking that it would be 'too childish' to hold my interest. Then, one night back in 2007, I happened to be at my local Barnes & Noble during the midnight release party for Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, the last book in the series. Seeing the enthusiasm of all the fans gathered there (some of whom were in full costume) made me curious, so I wended my way through the crowd (in the process wondering what "The Sorting Hat" was all about) and approached the first free cashier I could find, the first book in my hands. I was suddenly eager to discover what all the fuss was about!

Well, as they say, the rest is history. I not only promptly devoured Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, but began acquiring, and also devouring, the sequels. I only stopped in the middle of the sixth book, when a very sad event made me unable to continue....but I hope to be able to go back and finish the series!

I picked up the first book the other day, and plunged into Harry's magical world once again. Once again, I was totally delighted and enthralled! Rowling's very fertile imagination seems to have no bounds; all the books in this series are full of magical events, as well as twists and turns, and one just never knows exactly what is going to happen next.

Rowling also has the uncanny ability to make her characters, as well as the magical world around them, seem so real! From the very first moment, the reader becomes immersed in this very quirky, wonderfully weird world, where nothing is as it seems, unexpected surprises await, and household chores can be accomplished by the mere wave of a wand (something I positively loved).

Harry, Hermione, and Ron are wonderful characters, and it's not the first time I have wished I had grown up with friends like them. It's great how well they mesh, too, especially since, at first, Harry and Ron constantly found Hermione so annoying.

Harry, of course, is the main hero. He starts out life with the odds stacked against him, what with his sad personal history, and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" wanting to kill him. In spite of it all, Harry remains courageous, and will not let his curiosity, innate optimism, and eagerness to learn magic be dampened by outward events.

Hermione could have been the main hero of this whole series, because she not only matches Harry (and her name is the female version of his) in all his great qualities, but is also willing to take that extra step to find out more. Books are very important to her, and I really liked her for that! She is also very thorough in her research, and has an excellent memory. Besides, she can really think on her feet.

As for Ron, he is that friend who remains steadfastly by your side, through thick and thin. He's funny, as well, and willing to attempt any adventure, despite his fears. Besides, he's an excellent chess player -- even beating his two friends at the game. In this first book, his chess-playing skills become extremely important in preventing a great catastrophe.

Then there's Hagrid....sweet, lovable, gentle Hagrid, who has a soft spot for creatures great and small, and loves Harry like a father, or perhaps a big, bumbling brother. He's pretty much like a giant teddy bear, and I SO wish I could hug him! He's had some rough times himself, but still remains as positive as he can possibly be. And, most important of all, Dumbledore, the Hogwarts Headmaster, trusts him completely.

Dumbledore is another of my favorite characters, but I won't say much about him because he plays a greater role later on in the series. What I did get to see of him, though, during both my first and second readings of this book, made me like him a great deal! He is definitely a father figure to Harry -- always wise, patient, and willing to give Harry the benefit of the doubt.

There were other great, more minor characters, as well, such as Professor McGonagall, who is really a very fair-minded person, despite her stern exterior, Quirrell, the stuttering professor, the funny Weasley clan, especially the mischievous twins, Fred and George, and Neville, poor, shy Neville, who is constantly losing his pet toad....

Then there's one character who is almost in a league by himself, and a rather hateful one, too: Severus Snape. Alan Rickman plays him superbly in all the movies. He gets the character's oily manner (his hair is even greasy) and incomprehensible attitude toward Harry just right. Rickman made it extremely easy for this reader to despise Snape! Even before I met him on the screen, though, Rowling had already succeeded in making me hate him.

Another character I love to hate is Draco Malfoy, Harry's personal nemesis. I'm surprised he isn't related to Snape, because he can be just as spiteful and horrible to Harry.

Amidst all of the typical boarding school activities and classes with such interesting names as "Potions", "Charms", "Transfiguration", and "Defense Against the Dark Arts", the three friends become very adept at amateur sleuthing, and uncover a secret at Hogwarts, one that students are not supposed to know about....

Of course, there had to be time for sports, as well, and I soon discovered that the magical world's version of soccer -- or is it a strange combination of soccer and basketball? -- with the delightfully odd name of "Quidditch", was not only great fun, but had elements of danger, as well, especially when a certain evil wizard nearly took one of the most important players out of the picture....

Rowling manages all the elements of her plot with great skill, leading her readers along the path toward the exciting, final discovery of the school's secret through tight writing, with not a word to spare.

I especially liked Dumbledore's final words to Harry. It was the power of love, he told the young wizard, that won the day. Some readers might criticize this as 'cheesy', but I thought it was altogether fitting to the story, considering Harry's background.

This is such a terrific story! No wonder it's loved the whole world over, by readers of all ages! This book definitely deserves all the praise it has garnered, and more. I know that I will want to read it many more times in the future! And of course, I will also want to watch the movie just as many times!

Buying this for my collection! Very great quality and a GREAT book! SO much better than the movie! I really love the cover that comes with it! Such an intriguing book, I will definitely want to read it again and again!

I bought this to share the magic of Harry Potter with my 9-year-old daughter. We're actually reading it together (her in English and me in Spanish since I'm in college for foreign languages) and re-experiencing it all over again both for myself and vicariously through her is an experience that can't be beat. Any of the Harry Potter books are sure things that can not disappoint.

Best book ever!!! I am ten years old and my mom read all these books to me. I have loved them since the moment my mom started to read them to me. Now I read them on my own and I still love them. I just love all the characters like Harry,Hermione,Ron,Hagrid,and Dumbledore. I even love the bad characters such as Snape,Dudley,and Mrs.and Mr.Dursley. I just love all the magic and spells it is just so awesome. I recommend this book for all ages from 8 and up. (Moms you can and really should read this book to your 5 year olds and six year olds.)

Such a delightful tale. I can see why people are enamored by it. Magic, witches, dragons, evil doer's and even little dragons. Having seen the movies already, some of the book felt repetitive, but the books gave you so much more than the movie ever could. While the writing is juvenile for this middle aged woman, it was still a delightful and fun read. I hope I get my letter to Hogwart's soon, as I am officially a Potterhead.

I am 24 years old and I have just recently discovered the Harry Potter series. I grew up in a conservative household and Harry Potter was banned when I was a child. Now that I am an adult my beliefs are much more liberal than that of my family. I heard one of my friends (who is almost 20 years my senior) talking about how much she likes the Harry Potter series, so I decided to rent the Sorcerer's Stone movie. I liked it so much that I immediately ordered the book. I started reading it and found that it was really hard to put it down. I finished it this morning and I love the book. The story really draws you in. I found myself really empathizing with Harry and always wanting to find out what would happen next. I liked it so much that I ordered the second book. Thankfully it should be here tomorrow, because I cannot wait to "visit" Hogwarts again!

To those who believe that Harry Potter is "Satanic": There is nothing satanic or evil about this book. I urge you to read the books and watch the movies before you judge them.

Absolutely love the Harry Potter series. I've seen the movies and decided to read the books too! Mainly because there's a new book that I'm dying to read but felt I should just read the whole series first since movies are always different from their books! Love it, love it!

bought as a gift for my nephew who had been begging me for my harry potter books. I am not giving that kid MY harry Potter books, I mean I love him, but I love my Harry Potter too. I didn't even let my daughter read MY Harry Potter books... She's rough on books, she got her own set. SO yeah, great story. I'm expecting my owl any day now with my letter saying I have been accepted into hogwarts and I can leave the dreary world of muggles behind.