Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I only read this book because I made a deal with my roommate late last semester. We agreed that if she read the first Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants book over the summer, I would finally try out Harry Potter. So, keeping up my end of the deal, I went through the first HP in three days. I would have finished sooner, but let's just say that Rowling's prose isn't exactly page-turning.

First thing that bothered me about this book: Wizards aren't real.

Second thing that bothered me about this book: Magic isn't real.

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This is a fine children's book, don't get me wrong. I just couldn't quite get into it. Magic and wizardy, if it actually were to exist, would be a very abstract and world-destroying concept. Magic = power, and people with power go mad with it. And I'm willing to bet it would be a large majority of those possessing such abilities who would attempt to destroy everything that got in the way of obtaining anything they wanted. And yet while magic seems to give the children a way out in every situation - making each danger seem that less dangerous (and less interesting) - it doesn't seem to be used in more commonsensical situations that would help to avoid trouble in the first place.

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There just isn't enough sound logic in this book amongst all the creativity and imaginiation. I like reading stories about real life. That's why I don't do fantasy or sci-fi or any of those "alternate world" books. Maybe I would have enjoyed this more as a kid, but even then I think I'd at least have the sense to question the point to all this witchery. Everyone keeps telling me you have to get to the fourth or fifth book before things "really pick up." My question to them is: What motivated you to get past the first book anyway if it was so bad?"

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Presently I have been listening to the second book on my mp3 player, and so far it's not very interesting. I'm only continuing with the series out of curiosity. Just like I was curious when all the world gave The DaVinci Code praise for being such an epic book *shudder*. Hopefully I won't be dissapointed with the next one.