Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

I always derive immense pleasure from reading books. Nothing can quench my thirst for reading, and never has a story failed to astound me, delight me, and ultimately, fill me with wonder and satisfaction. I cherish those times when I indulge myself in epic tales of fantasy, horror, romance and mystery. Among all the entertaining and enlightening books I have read, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is unarguably the champion.

The theme of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is courage. Almost everyone associates the word "courage" with gallant and heroic actions of self-sacrificing or slaying antagonists; however, the most underrated acts of bravery may actually be the greatest. Neville Longbottom, a cowardly and clumsy friend of Harry's, earned my utmost respect by making an endeavor to stop Harry, Ron and Hermione from leaving their dormitory, in fear that their actions would cause them to lose points. Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, honored Neville by saying, "it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."

I have read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone three times, and each time I read it, I view the story from a different aspect. I was only eleven when I first opened the book, too young to appreciate the morals such a literary masterpiece conveyed. The second time I read it, I had eyes for only the remarkable adventure and the wondrous events that took place in Hogwarts. However, when I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the third time, I began to recognize and appreciate J.K. Rowling's amazing ability to grasp her readers' hearts by including subtle details throughout the story. Take Minerva McGonagall, a professor of Harry's, for instance. She had a stern and irascible personality; however, that did not stop her from shedding a tender tear for little infant Harry after learning that his parents had been murdered by Voldemort, a sinister and notorious wizard. This hints the readers that a soft heart is concealed beneath Professor McGonagall's harsh exterior. Another example of a subtle yet poignant moment is when Harry sees the illusions of his late parents in the Mirror of the Erised, an enchanted mirror that reflects the seer's deepest desires. While most people in the world yearn for wealth and power, all eleven-year-old Harry craves is a reunion with his deceased parents. Harry's simple wish implies how much affection he had for his parents, and this is what makes this scene so heartbreaking yet memorable. It is these touching and meaningful little moments that impress me and reach my heart, rather than the big picture emotions.

Another fact that makes Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone an unprecedented showstopper is the stunning quality of Rowling's electric prose, which stylistically intrigues and emotionally affects her readers. While reading the book, I guffawed like a maniac and bawled like a baby. Every sentence was artistically constructed, and every word was appropriately chosen. Everything in the book fascinated me and filled me with wonder. Had it been another writer's creation, the book would probably not have been as successful. Unlike many other writers, Rowling depicts characters so vividly that I can sense their presence. What's more, Rowling is able to illustrate her story with words. Every scene in the book was crafted so realistically that I could see the colorful images flowing through the black ink and white pages. When I finished the book, I felt as though I had just returned from a miraculous journey in the wizarding world.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is definitely an epic tale of fantasy that features not only intriguing characters but also an engaging plot. While savoring this veritable masterpiece, I laughed with the protagonists, cried with them, cheered for their success, and mourned for their loss. Gradually, I became attached to the book, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. It consumed my dreams, my fantasies, my every conscious thought.

I believe Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone will stand the test of time, and will continue to be appreciated by future generations.