Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1

By: J.K. Rowling

Narrated by: Jim Dale

Jim Dale's Grammy Award-winning performance of J.K. Rowling's iconic stories is a listening adventure for the whole family.

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'.

Close your eyes and enter the magical world of Harry Potter. In these editions, Jim Dale's characterful narration is so entertaining, fun, and theatrical you can almost hear the crackle of the fire in the Gryffindor common room.

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 become classics of our time, the Harry Potter stories never fail to bring comfort and escapism. With their 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.

©1997 J.K. Rowling (P)1999 Pottermore Limited

Critic reviews

"To call Dale a 'reader' of books is like saying Monet was a Sunday painter." (Los Angeles Times)

A great reading of the wrong book

It is (as you can already tell by the title) the US variation of the book, with all the oddness that comes with it but it mostly cames out unscathed.
I've heard the UK audiobook before, however, and while Jim Dale comes close, Stephen Fry is the better narrator so I'm doubly annoyed that we don't have the option to buy the Philosopher's Stone version.

Does not Do to Dwell on Dreams

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

The great thing about growing up and eventually watching your own kids start to grow is sharing the magic of reading. I'm a total snob about my books. I rarely venture into YA Fiction or Fantasy, but I still remember introducing my wife, my sisters-in-law, etc., to Harry Potter. We devoured the first three books. And as every subsequent book came out, we were first in line, often reading thorough the night to finish and discuss. Our family has already listened to Jim Dale's epic read of the Potter series on CD on multiple family car trips.

I'm not sure what motivated J.K. Rowling to move from Pottermore to Audible, but as a rabid Potter family and an Audible fanatic, I'm glad she finally did.

wonderful!

I love the reader!!! Great book as well! I highly recommend this book for all ages!

Harry Potter forever

The best series of books ever and this is just the start of them and is already an amazing story.

Only one issue...

Jim Dale is obviously a talented narrator, but I wish that Stephen Fry's narration was available.

Worth relistening to

Either 3rd or 4th time I’ve listened to this. Love it! Jim Dale’s narration is brilliant!

excellent

The narrator does an amazing job! I am absolutely overjoyed that audible has Harry Potter!!!!!

Listening to these books is the best!

I've always loved the movies, every since they came out.
Now, I'm glad I got them to listen to.

Jim Dale

I’ve listened to a lot of books. Jim Dale was the first voice I had ever listened to for any book, in the second grade on my cassette tapes. Now I’m my late 20s I get to share that experience with my own children, listening to these same books, read by the same voice. It’s truly magical.

Friday September 4, 2020

Better than the movie! I'm 28 and this is my first time reading (hearing) these books :)