Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

by J.K. Rowling

[nitzan_schwarz]

To read this review and more check out my blog Afterwords!

So, obviously, this is not the first time I have read HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE. It's not the second or third or even eighth. I have probably read this specific book in the series over two dozen times. (That being said, I haven't done a full re-read of the series in years. I will try to do so this year because, man, do I miss it!)

And yet, somehow, I found myself learning new things about this series, and how I view it, with this re-read. That is the greatness of the Harry Potter world. That is part of what makes it so lasting. What makes my young cousin, who is just ten, love these books as much as I have, twenty years after the first came out.

It's literal magic.

I've got to admit that part of my experience with these books will always be intertwined with that of the movies, which is why I remember some things a bit differently than they really were. It's not an entirely bad thing; I love the movies, and I love the actors, and it definitely allows for some elements of the story to feel fresh every single time.

But with this specific re-read, since it really has been a while, or because I read it more slowly as part of the read-along I attempted to join, I noticed this a lot more strongly than I normally do. Like, I honestly forgot that Harry is smart. Yes, he is never going to be book clever like Hermione is (but let's be real, who is?). He's not the brightest wizard of his generation and so forth. But he is smart and clever, and intelligent. He connects the dots, he draws conclusions (and even when he's wrong, his reasoning is so sound you can never fault him because then you would have to fault yourself because you made the same mistake too). He figures most of the crucial parts of the book without needing anyone's help, and when he does need it he is always smart enough to ask for it. That's so admirable!

Aside from being one smart cookie, Harry is also sassy and funny, which is one thing that the movies kind of missed on a general basis. Sassy Harry memes are some of my absolute favorites (although, Movie Harry's sass is also a lot of fun when it shines through).

And although he is brave and funny, and smart... He does get scared, he does feel shame and embarrassment, and he does have regrets... a lot of them. Harry Potter is not perfect--which, in turn, makes him an absolutely perfect protagonist. Because he chooses to be brave in the face of hardship. He chooses to do the right thing. He is only eleven years old, and already he is actively choosing to stand his grounds and fight. Not just for himself. Actually, very rarely for himself.

Harry Potter is an avenger, and a protector, and an incredibly loyal friend. All from the age of eleven, when he has all the reasons in the world not to be on account of his shitty childhood. Why do I see so many people dissing him so often on the internet? Why?? STOP IT.

So, yeah. Rowling does an amazing job setting up the character of Harry. Which, despite growing and evolving in the following books, keeps true to all his roots and the best things about him which are introduced here.

She does the same with Ron - funny, loyal, easily excited Ron, who has an inferiority complex but for the most part constantly rises above it to be a good friend, a helping hand and the person whom without Harry would probably not have survived emotionally throughout his school year. He's kind of the heart of the group because he's mostly emotion, and I love him.

Then we have Hermione, easily my favorite of the main trio. She's a strong, independent young girl who is viciously smart and clever, talented beyond belief, but also kind of lonely as she comes across as somewhat of a know-it-all (mostly because she often does know it all). She's mostly brain and logic, which is why she serves to center the other characters when they would turn to their base emotions. That doesn't mean she is not heartfelt and loyal and an amazing friend, just that she would first weigh her feelings against what she knows, and when this two coincide she will go all out to protect and follow what she believes.

And, fyi, I have shipped Ron and Hermione since I was seven and read this book for the first time. Brains and Heart ships are some of my favorites, and I was certain these two would one day marry and have children who are viciously smart but also incredibly emotional since Ron made Hermione cry that first time. #myfirstship

Anyway, these three friends create an incredible balance between them that is extremely hard to write and execute, never mind that Rowling makes it looks as easy and effortless as turning on the light. All three have a role to fill and things only they can bring to the story as well as each other's development throughout this book and the series as a whole. You don't get to see these as much in the movies, since Harry is put as the single "hero" of that narrative, in a way that he isn't really in the books.

As much as this is Harry Potter's story, it still has three heroes. Not a main character and two main side characters, but three main characters, whom without the story and world would not be able to exist.

And what a story that is... PHILOSOPHER'S STONE builds up an incredible, magical, enchanting and captivating world, made all the more amazing by the complexity of the characters and the meticulous planning showcased by Rowling. So many things that would pay up in future books, and yet not once do you feel like you are being set up for a sequel because that's not why they are there.

Honestly, my love for HP is as strong today as it was on the first read.

That being said, this is the first time I've noticed some questions and possible plot holes in this first book. I'll be the first one to defend anything I think is not fairly a plothole ((I mean, I do have an entire post dedicated to how time turners is not a real plothole (if you take out Cursed Child out of the canon because that thing threw everything Rowling established in the book series out the window) But I digress)), but there are legitimate questions.

I'll be putting all those in spoiler tags on the off chance someone who hasn't read the books is reading this review, even though I find it hard to believe. But please, please, if you love these books as much as I do come debate with me on whether my concerns are legitimate or could be explained!!

So, first thing's first... HOW DID THE DURSLEYS GET OFF THAT ISLAND??? In case you missed it, for all intents and porpuses, Hagrid has just stolen their only means of transportation. We see no indication that he has somehow returned their boat or told anyone they may need help. And yet, the next time we see the Dursleys they: a. don't say anything about that or appear upset and b. are safe and whole in their nasty abode.

Admittedly, it's a silly thing to wonder about, but it's out of characters for the Dursleys not to care and for Rowling not to address it lol

Second, HARRY'S SCAR DOESN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE? We have been taught, in this book and yes, the sequels, that Harry's scar reacts to Voldemort's presence. That's why it occasionally hurts, most noticeably when he looks at Snape and Quirrell talking. But why doesn't it hurt more, or more consistently? How come Harry's scar isn't shooting pains in his forehead every Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, thus allowing him to ascertain Quirrell's guilt long before the finale? We are told Voldy has been stuck on his nape since they met in Diagonally!

Another nagging wonder of mine is WHY DID SNAPE SUSPECT QUIRRELL IN THE FIRST PLACE? Aside from the fact it makes for one hell of a red-herring and an incredible twist, it makes little sense. What would make Snape suspect poor, stuttering little Quirrell? Is there a bad guy sign that Snape can read? And once Snape does suspect him, why doesn't Voldy reveal himself to Snape? As far as he knows, Snape is his loyal servant. Yet, he allows Snape to threaten Quirrell repeatedly uncontested, and that eventually leads to the downfall of his plan.

I would love to know more about the Snape and Quirrell's dynamics in this book!

Lots of interesting questions on this read, few answers to be found.

However, for every detail that didn't work to complete perfection, there are seven that do. Little sentences and moments that wow me again and again and again. Forget the fact I almost know this story by heart at this point. I am still awed and amazed by references that wouldn't connect for another few books, allusions to things that would be relevant 5000 pages later, details that seem irrelevant but aren't.

It makes the entire book and series so beautifully crafted and expertly planned. It feels like Rowling knew exactly where each character was headed before she even wrote the first word and THAT is what makes it such an alleviated reading experience for me, time and time again.


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Original unfiltered thoughts:
Okay, I'm finally starting this re-read as part of the #HHHReadalong #HPReadalong2018
http://hogwartshousehabits.tumblr.com/post/169542980167/we-thought-wed-start-the-new-year-off-right-by

Honestly, this re-read was SO important to me. There were a lot of things that I forgot, mostly because something get overlayed with the movies throughout the years, and it's been a while since I've read the entire series.

First of all, Harry is hella smart. Can we all just agree to that? I see a lot of memes and jokes that Hermione should have been the main characters, and yes, that's a series I would have read. But to be honest, I don't think I would have liked it as much as Harry Potter. Harry is not any less smart than Hermione, especially when you read the books. He connects dots, he draws conclusions (and even when he's wrong, you clearly understand why he made them). He figures out a lot of things without needing anyone's help, but he also doesn't shy away from needing and requesting help. That's extremely admirable! He's also sassy and funny. He get's scared and he gets ashamed and he has regrets. He is not perfect. But he chooses to be brave in the face of all these. He chooses to do the right thing time and time again. He is an avenger, and a protector, and an incredibly loyal friend. Why are we dissing him so often? We really shouldn't.

Second, there are some things in the book that, looking at them now, make me a little bit confused. In my head, HP is such a neat and tightly written series that there are no plot holes (and no, the time turners are not a plot hole. I wrote an entire post about it and I will fight you on it and I have convinced every person I've talked to on this matter. Feel free to message me lol). But... yeah, there are.

For starters, how did the Dursley's get off the island? For all intents and purposes, they should have died of hunger of there 'cause Harry and Hagrid stole their boat and didn't tell anyone they were stranded there. But that's one of the silly ones.

Another one is Harry's scar. we have been taught that Harry's scar reacts to Voldemort's presence. Kind of like a physical alert system. But... he was on Quirrell's nape for an entire year. And yes, we hear of it flickering here and there, but why isn't it going off every Defense Against the Dark Arts class, therefore allowing Harry to know something is off way before the end?

A bigger one is why did Snape suspect Quirrell? Aside for it being an amazing red-herring and an incredible twist, it makes little sense. Why would he suspect him? How? and for that matter... why didn't Voldemort reveal himself to Snape? As far as Voldy knows, Snape is one of his loyal men. And he was there when Snape threatened Quirrell over and over again. So... why not reveal himself. "Turn" Snape to his side. Use him. It makes little sense in light of Voldy's personality.

Lots of questions, very few answers. But for every detail that doesn't make 100% sense, there are seven little sentences and moments that wow me over and over again. Every time I read these novels, I discover something new. Another thing JK has set up in the first book. Another reference that is going to be important later on. Another allusion to something that would be relevnt 5000 pahges later. It's... absolutely incredible. It makes everything seem so tightly and experently planned, even when you know a lot of it was not. It makes it look like Rowling had this entire story in her head when she first put down her pen and started writing the very first page.

More when I write a proper review, 'cause I'm finally going to do that y'all!