“Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone” – Initial Reception

The score(s) next to each publication’s review and the average rating is an interpretation of the reviews by Literature’s Pretty Long History.

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Newark Advertiser

Full Review

“It is a mix of boarding-school story, magic and mystery and is both funny and exciting.”

Anonymous

Fleetwood Weekly News

Full Review

“A terrific read and a stunning first novel.”

Anonymous

The Scotsman

Full Review

“This is a book which makes an unassailable stand for the power of fresh, inventive storytelling in the face of formula horror and sickly romance.”

Lindsey Fraser

The Independent

Full Review

“Rowling has been an object of great fascination to the media but don’t be put off by that; I’ve yet to meet a 10 year old who hasn’t been entranced by its witty, complex plot and the character of the eponymous Harry.”

Carolyn Hart

The Independent

Full Review

“The story of how Potter came to be is almost as engaging as the boy wizard himself.”

Ann Treneman

The Times

Full Review

“Rowling is a sparkling new author brimming with delicious ideas, glorious characters and witty dialogue.”

Sarah Johnson

The Guardian

Full Review

“A richly textured first novel given lift-off by an inventive wit.”

Joanna Carey

The Christian Science Monitor

Full Review

“The only flaw is a too-abrupt ending that doesn’t completely satisfy. But that may be partly due to a reader’s unwillingness to put down the tale.”

Yvonne Zipp

Mail On Sunday

Full Review

“It’s magical, funny, electrifying to read aloud and has just the right amount of scariness.”

Fiona Gray

The Deseret News

Full Review

“A new magic potion is brewing! “Harry Potter” has all the components of a concoction that will be tasted with relish and enthusiasm. This thriller is crammed with ghosts, dragons, trolls, wizards, centaurs, unicorns and magic spells of the Dark and Evil. It is also packed with Good and Beauty initiated by intuitive youngsters and wise oldsters. The themes are those found in many successful fantasies of the past.”

Marilou Sorensen

Supplemental Notice(s)

“It is often said that books are the gifts that never stop giving. As shopping is planned, don’t forget to include books on the list for all young readers. Here are some guidelines in making that very special purchase that will “give” for years to come:” — The Deseret News (December 14, 1998)

The Sunday Telegraph

Full Review

“I have now finally caught up with the first Harry Potter book (just as the second one has been published) and it is every bit as good as everyone says.”

Ian Hislop

Mail On Sunday

Full Review

“…the most imaginative debut since Roald Dahl.”

Anonymous

Financial Times

Full Review

“J.K. Rowling delivers a far more upbeat and fantastical storyline in her first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Bloomsbury, £4.99).”

Nicola Hopkinson

Daily Mail

Full Review

“Fluent readers will thoroughly enjoy the bizarre adventures and humour of this imaginative, full-length novel.”

Maris Ross

The Sunday Telegraph

Full Review

“Undoubtedly Rowling-the-single-mother-in-a-garret garret is good hype material, and there may well be other equally talented but less milkable children’s writers out there cursing her name but this should not detract from the fact that this is a terrific book.”

Dinah Hall

The Sunday Times

Full Review

“This is a story full of surprises and jokes; comparisons with Dahl are, this time, justified.”

Nicolette Jones

Average Rating