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ceeceereads 's review for:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Slytherin Edition
by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As an adult who is reading HP for the first time, after having watched the movies, I suppose I view this book from a unique perspective. I am not the book's target age demographic, and I do not view the book through the lens of nostalgia.
Book lovers love to rave about how much better the books are to the movies; and whilst I am confident I will agree by the time I finish reading the series, reading the first Harry Potter book has made me truly appreciate how Columbus had adapted it as it is one of the most faithful book-to-movie adaptations I know.
My biggest gripe with this book was how little it actually develops the characters, even for a middle-school-level book...which is a shame, as the world-building is phenomenal! Where Rowling brought the Wizarding world to life, I think it is Columbus who really brought the characters to life through superb direction and casting. I've noticed that Rowling is very good at writing descriptors, which works splendidly for world-building and creating action sequences.
The problem is that she uses the same technique to write characters, which doesn't translate well. Instead of characters driving the plot along, it feels like the characters are the ones being dragged along with the plot. It got to the point where I had to use the movie to supplement how the characters would have looked/sounded/acted in the moment because there is an overuse of vague descriptors (such as said, uttered, whispered) but a huge lack of exploration of the inner psyche of characters (or character-development in general).
Reading the book has also brought me to the shocking realization that everything I loved about my house, Slytherin, was created by the fans and not by Rowling herself. There is actually no redeeming factor in the books for Slytherin?? There was not a single trait of Slytherin that was highlighted to be positive or admirable. It truly was created to just be the one-dimensional villain house.
Nevertheless, here is a summary of aspects of the book I really enjoyed that wasn't present in the movie:
Book lovers love to rave about how much better the books are to the movies; and whilst I am confident I will agree by the time I finish reading the series, reading the first Harry Potter book has made me truly appreciate how Columbus had adapted it as it is one of the most faithful book-to-movie adaptations I know.
My biggest gripe with this book was how little it actually develops the characters, even for a middle-school-level book...which is a shame, as the world-building is phenomenal! Where Rowling brought the Wizarding world to life, I think it is Columbus who really brought the characters to life through superb direction and casting. I've noticed that Rowling is very good at writing descriptors, which works splendidly for world-building and creating action sequences.
The problem is that she uses the same technique to write characters, which doesn't translate well. Instead of characters driving the plot along, it feels like the characters are the ones being dragged along with the plot. It got to the point where I had to use the movie to supplement how the characters would have looked/sounded/acted in the moment because there is an overuse of vague descriptors (such as said, uttered, whispered) but a huge lack of exploration of the inner psyche of characters (or character-development in general).
Reading the book has also brought me to the shocking realization that everything I loved about my house, Slytherin, was created by the fans and not by Rowling herself. There is actually no redeeming factor in the books for Slytherin?? There was not a single trait of Slytherin that was highlighted to be positive or admirable. It truly was created to just be the one-dimensional villain house.
Nevertheless, here is a summary of aspects of the book I really enjoyed that wasn't present in the movie:
- Ron is intelligent in his own right (a HUGE issue I have with the movies is how much they dumbed him down)
- Hermione actually takes time to adjust to being a witch (i.e. the part where she forgot she could make fire without wood)
- Hermione is NOT described to be attractive and is understandably self-conscious at times (I HATE how this was erased from the movies entirely because, as perfect as Emma Watson was as Hermione, how do you pass her off as being unattractive?)
- Harry actually having a bit of attitude and sass (in the movies he seemed oddly complacent in instances where he rightly should have been angry or frustrated)
I also acknowledge that some elements are extremely problematic and outdated and would never have been published in 2021, but since this is such an old book, I don't see the point in going there.
Other than those issues, it was a very fun read. And despite all its issues, it still very much deserves the legacy it created. I'm looking forward to reading Chamber of Secrets!
Other than those issues, it was a very fun read. And despite all its issues, it still very much deserves the legacy it created. I'm looking forward to reading Chamber of Secrets!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse