The Harry Potter Trilogy

3.5* - I re-read the book to find out whether it still holds up now that I'm an adult. It doesn't, not entirely. While I admit it's a magical book (pun intended) I have big problems with the world building because it's sloppy and without a thought.

I've read crazy fantasy books with many paralel universes, crazy creatures and stunning original magic systems but they all made sense within their worlds. Harry Potter and the wizards don't, though. It doesn't make sense muggles don't know about them. It doesn't make sense wizards laugh at muggles' inventions while at the same time use many of them.

In addition this is indeed purely kids' book. While it's kind of refreshing that this series grew up with its readers, it's also very annoying for somebody like me, who enjoys adult books, to plough through first three/four books in the series ‘til I get to the better stuff.

Writing style is very good, though. Especially the sarcasm in the first few chapters is exactly as if written by me. Characters sometimes speak very weirdly and definitely not as 11 yo kids. It might be a translation problem but I doubt it.

All in all there are better series out there, imho. But HP was very important for my generation when we were kids. I have to admit I may not be such a bookworm if I hadn't read it 14 years ago and for that it has my thanks.

This isn't really a review because what else is there to say about this book that hasn't already been said? Is there anyone who hasn't read it?Having seen the movie before reading the book, I was impressed about how loyal the movie was to it. I don't think there was a single scene in the movie that wasn't in the book with the possible exception of Peeves' (the ghost) role being downplayed or left out.As the introductory book into the Harry Potter universe, I am amazed and impressed by the fantastic, imaginative world [a:J.K. Rowling 1077326 J.K. Rowling http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1360953982p2/1077326.jpg] has created with [b:Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 202588 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter, #1) J.K. Rowling http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327571805s/202588.jpg 4640799]. While the simpler prose keeps the book accessible to younger readers, there is nothing that would categorize this exclusively as a “kid's book.”One down, six to go!