Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone

Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Author: JK Rowling

Genre: Fantasy Action Adventure

Series: Harry Potter Series book 1 of 7

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Published Date: 1997

Book Length: 223

Format Read: Paperback

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin.

My Thoughts Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling is a fantasy action-adventure and the first book in the iconic seven-part series. It was released in 1997, and let’s be honest—who hasn’t heard of Harry Potter? It’s a global phenomenon. And yet, despite all the hype and familiarity, this was my very first time actually reading the book.

What can you possibly say about a story that has touched millions, that hasn’t already been said a thousand times over? I didn’t expect to be surprised. But I was. Completely.

The book began gently, introducing the Dursleys and then Harry, a boy who had no idea just how special he was. I found myself immediately drawn in. The way Rowling built Harry’s world—first the mundane, then the magical—was so immersive. Every character introduction felt purposeful and layered. I wasn’t just meeting wizards and witches; I was being welcomed into a hidden world, and each page made that world feel more real.

Rowling’s writing had a quiet magic of its own. She didn’t just tell me what Hogwarts looked like—I saw it. I felt the cold stone corridors, heard the rustle of cloaks, and smelled the feast in the Great Hall. Her descriptions brought me right into the heart of the castle, and I felt like I was walking alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione, wide-eyed and full of wonder.

What struck me most was how the story, though written for younger readers, held a depth that I hadn’t expected. Themes of friendship, courage, and belonging wove through the adventure with surprising tenderness. I felt Harry’s longing for family, his tentative steps into trust and loyalty, and his bravery in the face of fear. It was more than just a fantasy; it was emotionally rich and honest.

Even though I knew the general plot from years of cultural osmosis but I have not seen the  films, the book had a warmth and detail that opened up a new world. I smiled at the banter, gasped at the tension, and—yes—I teared up a little more than once, and don’t you just love Hagrid. It’s one thing to know about Harry Potter. It’s another thing entirely to experience his story from the very first page.

Reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone for the first time was like discovering a door I hadn’t realised was waiting for me all along. It wasn’t just a book—it was a journey into something timeless. I now understand why this series means so much to so many people. I may have come to it later than most, but I’m grateful I finally did. Because in that world of spells and potions, of bravery and friendship, I found a kind of magic I didn’t know I’d been missing. If you are one of the few that haven’t read it for one reason or another I highly recommend that you do.