Play Book Tag discussion

I have read this series a few times now, and I really enjoy it every time that I have a re-read, so when “fun” was chosen as the tag for this month, I thought this would be a great book to match the tag. This time reading it, and having read the other books in the series, I did feel that this first book in the series was a much more simplistic story than the later books, and it did feel as though it were written for a younger readership than the others. Despite this, I was quickly swept up in and enchanted by the magical world that Rowling created, and I really liked a lot of the themes that were covered, especially around the importance of friendship. The book is fast-paced, and despite there being a clear theme of good vs evil, I found the book a fun read, and not too dark.

I agree with your review. I actually think that as Harry, Ron and Hermione mature through the books, the level of the books matures, becomes more complex. I also believe that is deliberate. It's rather a genius stroke by Rowling, I think, if so.

I think it is deliberate, too. A whole generation of readers grew up with these books, and as they progressed, the books got darker.

I think it's amusing that they had to change the name for the American audience to Sorcerer's Stone because Americans wouldn't read anything about philosophy. (The Philosopher's Stone is a concept in alchemy.) I also thought it was great that Scholastic Books ended up with the US contract. Many of us have fond memories of being able to by books cheaply through the fliers or fairs they put on in schools.