Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Front cover of UK version

Release Date: June 1997

Sales (approx.): 17.5 Million

Plot Summary

The terrified wizarding world rejoices as the much feared and evil Lord Voldemort has been destroyed whilst trying to kill an innocent baby, Harry Potter. The baby Harry is swiftly despatched to his non-magical (muggle) relatives to avoid the dangers of recrimination by Voldemort's followers. There, Harry lives a miserable existence as the much maligned nephew of the Dursley family and knows nothing of his magical background. This is until his 11th Birthday when Hogwarts, a British Wizard school, invites Harry to learn to become a wizard.

Harry meets two important friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, with whom his adventures inside the castle of Hogwarts blossom into excitement and danger.

By the end of the book, Harry comes face to face with the weakened form of the man who tried to kill him, Lord Voldemort.

Interest Fact

In the US, the book was instead named "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". It was renamed due to apparent inconsistencies with the American and British understanding of the word "philosopher's" which potentially could damage US sales.
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