Firstly, if you are puzzled by the title, click here, since I don't really want to explain it again. If you don't want to read my life story along with the introduction, scroll down to the bottom of that rather long post right up there.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone is the first book of the seven Harry Potter books. It's only seventeen chapters. In this book, Harry Potter learns that he's a famous wizard, instead of just some loser orphan who's stuck with his aunt and uncle and cousin, who hate him. He gets accepted into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is guided through this new magical world by several people, and makes new friends.
I find this book rather light-hearted. It's so full of wonder, curiosity, and mainly consists of Harry trying to find out how to live in this world. Nearly every other word out of Harry's mouth is, "What's that?" "I'm a WIZARD?" "Who is Voldemort?" "Who is that?" He's leaning and taking in so much, like a baby being born into it's new and open world.
Despite a large portion of the book being a question and answer session, I think it works. Why? Because when this came out, it was the first Harry Potter book. You are like Harry, being thrown into this fantastical, surreal world! You want to know just as much as he does, and you know just as little. J.K. Rowling created this world and this book is solely responsible for introducing to to the basics of it, so we can get on with the more serious stuff. And although I did feel frustration in reading two page question and answer session about how Quiddich worked, and found myself saying out loud, "I know how Quiddich works! Let's see some three headed dogs!", I of course, had to find the strength in my heart to tolerate it.
And this book is lighthearted and innocent as well. The books get darker and darker as they go along. You mature with the books. This is definitely a smart move by Ms. Rowling. You wouldn't want your Little Tom or Little Jane to pick up their first Harry Potter book and be terrified to tears by the tactics and evil of Voldemort. Even the final suspenseful scene (through the trapdoor), is written in a way that is not spitting dark magic and death. Even the encounter with Voldemort is written in such a way. The little drops of "Yes Harry, there are evil wizards," are dropped here and there, in a way so you have knowledge of it, but it's not intimidating to you. After all, Harry Potter is eleven years old. He needn't know about all that yet, and you don't either. You have six more books to lean about all that. Wow!
To me, this book was full of delight, wonder, and light hearted-ness. Which suits the book and is nessecary, considering the circumstances when it came out.
You really know how to do a good blog post. Just saying. This post of yours was really funny, from start to finish. I can tell you really indulge in the HP series. Your eye is really sharp for picking up on very small details, and I also really enjoyed this metaphor: "He's leaning and taking in so much, like a baby being born into it's new and open world." Very nice. Overall, brilliant as usual.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Zarrin. If all posts were like yours I wouldn't mind commenting every week. I may sound like a teacher (or perhaps not) sayign this, but you have a great voice that in consistant throughought the post. I feel like Im talking to you, and I share an opinion with you on this first book almost being a "Everything You Need To Know About Being a Wizard". Great post (again).
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! You both always have great blog posts as well.
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