More Information & Critical Reviews
J.K. Rowling first had the idea for Harry Potter while delayed on a train travelling from Manchester to London King’s Cross in 1990. Over the next five years, she began to plan out the seven books of the series. She wrote mostly in longhand and amassed a mountain of notes, many of which were on scraps of paper. She arrived in Edinburgh in 1993 with three chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in her suitcase. By now she had a baby daughter, Jessica, but she continued to write in every spare moment she could find. When Joanne had finished the manuscript, she sent the first three chapters to a number of literary agents, one of whom wrote back asking to see the rest of it. She says that it was ‘the best letter I had ever received in my life’. After finishing the first book and whilst training as a teacher, Harry Potter was accepted for publication by Bloomsbury.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone quickly became a bestseller on publication in 1997. The Harry Potter books have since broken many records. In 2007 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows became the fastest-selling book ever, selling 2.65 million in the first 24 hours in the UK. The Harry Potter series is now published in 80 languages, and over 500 million copies have been sold across the world. J.K. Rowling has received many awards and honours, including an OBE for services to children’s literature, France’s Légion d’Honneur, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
‘Rowling proves that she has plenty of tricks left up her sleeve in this third Harry Potter adventure, set once again at the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. All ages. Publishers Weekly
‘The pace is nonstop, with thrilling games of Quidditch, terrifying Omens of Death, some skillful time travel, and lots of slimy Slytherins sneaking about causing trouble. This is a fabulously entertaining read that will have Harry Potter fans cheering for more.’ School Library Journal – Eva Mitnick
The main characters and the continuing story both come along so smartly (and Harry at last shows a glimmer of interest in the opposite sex, a sure sign that the tides of adolescence are lapping at his toes) that the book seems shorter than its page count: have readers clear their calendars if they are fans, or get out of the way if they are not. Kirkus Reviews
‘The true hero of this summer’s reading season is likely to be Harry Potter.’ Newsweek
‘A wonderful first novel….Harry is destined for greatness. Much like Roald Dahl, J.K. Rowling has a gift for keeping the emotions, fears and triumphs of her characters on a human scale, even while the supernatural is popping out all over.’ The New York Times Book Review – Michael Winerip
‘Spellbinding, enchanting, bewitching stuff’ Mirror
‘Teachers say a chapter can silence the most rowdy of classes’ Guardian
‘One of the greatest literary adventures of modern times’ Sunday Telegraph
‘The Harry Potter stories will join that small group of children’s books which are read and reread into adulthood’ TLS
Recommended age: 12
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.