Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

About the book…

This book is a work of fantasy and science fiction.
Is the first book in a series of seven, was published in the United Kingdom on June 30, 1997, by the famous writer J.K. Rowling.

This book tells how the young Harry Potter discovers he is a wizard and how his life changes radically.

Harry Potter being a baby has been orphaned and lives in the house of his uncle with his aunt and the unbearable cousin Dudley. The days pass during 11 years lonely and sad in the house in the southwest of London but one day he receives a letter that will change his life. After many attempts to deliver the letter to Harry, since his uncle and aunt prevented it, finally, he gets the letter through Hagrid the Hogwarts ranger who later and over time they become close friends.
Through the letter, he knows that he is a wizard and has been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Not much time passes when he finds out that he is famous and that he has a very powerful and malevolent archenemy.
He will make friends with whom he will learn magic and study enchantments, they will share fascinating and dangerous adventures in Hogwarts by preventing a teacher from stealing a very powerful stone. Discovering the truth about many events.

Main characters:

Harry James Potter (the protagonist): He is the central character in the story. He has always very messy black hair, green eyes, very thin and short for his age, also, it seems smaller than he really is, because all the clothes he wears are old clothes from Dudley his cousin. He has a scar on his forehead in the form of a lightning bolt and wore circular glasses because he has very bad eyesight.
He is creative, humble, good friend, respectful, friendly and brave.

Lord Voldemort (Tom Riddle): Also named “You-Know-Who”, “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” or “the Dark Lord” studied at Hogwarts many years ago. He is the main villain of the saga who always tries to kill Harry. He does not have a definite body (in this book) because of the rebound of the curses he sent Harry. The back of Quirrell’s head (a teacher of Hogwarts) was Voldemort, who is chalk-faced, with bright red eyes and grooves instead of nostrils, like snakes. He is evil, spiteful, without mercy and disinterested of all even of his assistants/servants.

Important secondary characters:

Ronald Weasley: He is the penultimate child of a family of wizards. Attend the Gryffindor house at Hogwarts. He is freckled and has red hair as all his brothers, is tall, has low self-esteem, humble, good friend, fearful but brave and very good for chess. He is Harry’s best friend.

Hermione Granger: She is Harry’s best friend. Unique daughter of Muggles (people who don’t belong to the magic world), is in the house of Gryffindor with Harry and Ron. Has a brilliant academic mind, likes to study, good friend, bossy, very respectful and hates breaking the rules.
Hermione has brown hair, long and matted, brown eyes, and large incisor teeth.

Albus Dumbledore: He is the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; It is said to be the best wizard of recent times. He is a moral, protective and wise old man.

Dumbledore is described as a tall, thin wizard, wearing a tunic and a pointed cap, with long silver hair and beard.

-Quotes-

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

This quote should be highlighted from the book because it provides an enlightenment so important for life and for every person. It is true that dreams represent our greatest desires from the heart but it is not good just to keep dreaming about what “could be” and forget to live, in this case, fight for those dreams and make them happen.

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

This quote means that it takes a lot of courage to face your friends since friendship represents a very important part of life, something that should be valued, and should be carried with honesty and respect.

-New Vocabulary-

-Tawny: Having a brownish-yellow color.

-Tantrum: A sudden hysterical burst of anger.

-Grudging: Pretty or reluctant in giving or spending.

-Keen: Intense or sharp.

-Soar: The act of rising upward into the air.

-Stomp: Walk heavily.

-Glum: Sad, quiet and unhappy.

-To slink: to move somewhere very quietly and slowly.

I highly recommend this book, although I know that not many people are fans of science fiction and fantasy, but this book will make you love magic. Just as it is fantasy, in the same way it imparts and talks about very important life values. At the same time that it leaves amazing teachings and will also entertain you, it will make you laugh and make your imagination explode.