Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1

By: J.K. Rowling

Narrated by: Stephen Fry

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter 'H'."

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin! 

Having now become classics of our time, the Harry Potter audiobooks never fail to bring comfort and escapism to listeners of all ages. With its message of hope, belonging and the enduring power of truth and love, the story of the Boy Who Lived continues to delight generations of new listeners. 

Theme music composed by James Hannigan.

©1997 J.K. Rowling (P)2015 J.K. Rowling

Critic Reviews

"A marriage made in heaven, Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter." (The Times)

Magical!

I've never got to the Harry Potter books. I love the movies and the games, however I have never actually read the books. Therefore, I decided, that my first audiobook from Audible will be Phillosopher's Stone. It was captivating from start to finish, making my eyes literally water with some kind of nostalgia at some places. I don't think anyone else would have narrated it better than Stephen Fry. His amazing voice brings every character to life and creates an exquisite atmosphere throughout the whole story. Now I can't wait to buy the rest of the HP audiobooks!

Easy to hear

The story we all love, on an amazing performance! Much better than the movies. Stephen Fry was perfect

great narrator, whispering noisy audio compression

The narrator and the story are great, but...

I bought the original audio cd and audible version, too. Audible's voice has a small whispering background noise, the cd version is much more cleaner.

I tested a one minute long track on cd and the mp3 compressed version is perfectly clear with my phone, better than this audiobook.

Dear Audible, please use a better quality of audio compression, this is one of my favourite book.

I know you can do it because your other books are more cleaner than this one.

Thank you

At last!!!

I was waiting for this for some time – and it was worth the waiting time!!! Wow!!! Stephen Fry lifts J.K.Rowlings fantastic Harry Potter to another dimension!!! Wow again!

The Harry Potter Series

Would you listen to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1 again? Why?

I would listen to this book again in fact I would listen to any of the Potter books again because I can always learn something different every time I read them.

What other book might you compare Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1 to and why?

Harry Potter has ideas expressed in other books but this is something different. I can relate to this world in many ways an orphan not loved by his guardians not told anything about where he comes from hears it from a completed e stranger goes to a magical school discovers his enemy is not actually d

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is when Hagrid gives Dudly a pig tail it is just so funny.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment which moves me is when Dumbledore says this. To the well organized mind, death is just another adventure.

Any additional comments?

Don't try to compare Stephen Fry's readings with Jim Dale there are 2 different styles both of which blend themselves with the uniqueness of this series.

Amazed

I have never read the book, now questions of time and then interest. My young self thought that the movies were enough but when I grew up I realize that I was missing something.

Thank you for showing me what I was missing in the stories that I loved as movies.

Magic

It took me a long time to start to read Harry Potter. I have no regrets.

great fan<br />

i love this book. great story greatly told. i am looking forward to hear the other books as well

Whimsical & Enchanting

As I was listening to Stephen Fry's narration, I was also reading the book. Mr. Fry helped the story leap of the pages and brought all the characters to live. He turned a pleasant experience into a a truly marvelous one.

The first bool of my favourite series!

Loved the way it was narrated, made me feel like I was in the the world of Harry Potter.

Sells its self as always

I've been a fan of Harry Potter for 20yrs and have read the books a couple of times, I originally downloaded this audio book from Pottermore because Audible didn't have the rights to sell them. I've bought them now through audible as they are alot easier to listen to, then trying to download mp3 files and stream to suitable devices.

This is now my second listen, having not listened to the book for a few years now. So much I've forgotten because the films just don't have enough detail. Stephen Fry is the only voice to me that can deliver the books in the series. He characterises each person individually and you have no doubt who is who, even if you pause the book and come back several days later.

I adore these books and will continue to listen to them for many years to come.

My first introduction to Potter

Would you consider the audio edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1 to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the printed version but would imagine that Stephen Fry's magical narration adds to the story.

What other book might you compare Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1 to, and why?

The Hobbit - as it's an introduction to a different world of alternative mythical creatures.

Which character – as performed by Stephen Fry – was your favourite?

Hermione - as he added a humorous twist to her fairly stoic character.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I think that's already been somewhat covered.

Any additional comments?

N/A

Spellbinding 😀😄😊😌😚🤓😐😅🙂😍😜😎😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀

Magical I absolutely loved this book my son listens to at bedtimes every single night

Audible books 4 dyslexia sufferer

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Because everybody should be able to enjoy books even if they can't read !!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1?

Fantastic !! 💯 X better then the film had me hooked from the start !!

Have you listened to any of Stephen Fry’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No not yet !!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was griped from the start but the extra bit the one left out the film's they much a cut loads !!

Great job by narrator

Any additional comments?

What a fantastic rendition to arguably one of the greatest fictional series of all time. Stephen Fry does a marvellous job; with fantastic switching between characters and dialogue to some pretty impressive impersonations. Narrating the Harry Potter series is no mean feat, something even Fry should be proud of achieving in his career.

I won't waste your time telling you this is an enchanted tale about a young wizard who goes to Hogwarts school to learn magic. All I will say is this: Stephen Fry and audible have done Rowling proud with a superb telling of a superb story. I'm off to listen to Chamber of Secrets now. Enjoy!

Eh

The reading was nivw enough shame about the writer being a terrible person but also the story was just mediocre, nostalgia can't make up for the lack of flavour in this story

Excellent, reliving AWESOME series!!! :)

If you could sum up Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1 in three words, what would they be?

Spellbinding, MAGICAL, Classic!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Book 1?

Harry escaping Dursleys and meeting new friends on way to Hogwarts :)

Which character – as performed by Stephen Fry – was your favourite?

Hagrid.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Harry receives book of photos of parents as a gift.

Any additional comments?

Stephen Fry's narration sparkled and reignited the magic,of the excellent Potter books that read about ten years ago :)

love it

I will always love harry potter, no matter how old I am. Stephen Fry was lovely to listen to and I felt like he really put his love into performing this.

Perfectly Fryed Potter

If ever a series didn't need introducing it has to be J.K. Rowling's stunning Harry Potter! As soon as I saw this was available the only question on my mind was whether or not the narrator would do it justice. This is a big pair of reading glasses to fill!

Well, they only went and got Stephen Fry! He is superb! His voice fits Rowling's work to a tee and the story unfolds through his quintessential English being delivered with huge aplomb. Of course we do all know that this series grew in stature and maturity with its audience. There are tougher, longer books ahead of this one that have more of a cutting edge to them. So can he keep it up? Well based on this first volume there is little doubt in my mind that he will!

Potter fans can rest assured that this audiobook does Rowling's work full justice!

See you in Hogwarts!

Fry gives magical performance.

Mr Fry does a superb reading of this enjoyable book. Really brought the books back to life for me.