Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1

I have listened to this series probably 50 times and I was thrilled to see it finally on Audible. The first book, fourth book and book 7 are my favorites. I can almost recite the each of the books. Jim Dale is wonderful and the very best choice for this series. He is amazing. This is one case that the books are so much better than the movies. J.K. Rowling is a genius, what an imagination that woman has. I would recommend this series to anyone of any age. Love, love, love it.

A. MA.ZING.

Excellent. If you like this, I recommend his reading of the Books of Beginning Series. This first is the Emerald Atlas. I will say that on the first listen I did not like the portrayal of Hermione. She seemed a little whiny. But I persevered, and now that I am used to it, I am glad I stuck it out.

I have listened to these over and over, checking them out from my local library. I have an hour commute each way to and from work, and I have listened to these so many times. I also listen to them at night as I fall alseep to Jim Dale's calm voice. I always wanted to own them, but I just could not afford the price on Pottermore. I don't know what prompted the shift, but I am eternally grateful. This has made my day, my week, my month, and quite possibly my whole year.

“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.

I read each Potter book with huge enjoyment within days of the publication of each.

I listened to the Potter series years ago when they first came out on CD. These wonderful stories are done full justice by Jim Dale, whose narration compliments Rowling's lovely characters perfectly. I am so delighted that Rowling has finally allowed the digital versions to be sold on Audible as the cost of them through her website was ridiculous.

At any rate, if you have not listened to Harry Potter - even if you've read it and seen the films - you will be introduced to Harry, Ron, Hermione and all the denizens of Hogwarts in a different way when you listen to The Sorcerer's Stone.

I can't seen any point in recapping the plot because I just assume everyone has read at least the first two of these books, but I can tell you that listening to them is an "immersive" experience. Of course, that's true of any book, but the richness of Rowling's characters, settings and situations are brought to life, in my opinion, in an entirely different way when you listen to Jim Dale read them to you.

If you already love and appreciate the Harry Potter series, you'll rediscover it when you listen. If you have NOT yet read any Harry Potter... my condolences. If you listen, you may discover what you missed!

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.

Thank you for adding this Audible! Have been waiting for this series for a long time!

Other than not having Fry as narrator and not using the English verbiage it is a classic. Listening to it after so long is like seeing an old friend.

Will likely re listen to entire series have not read them in ages!


***Listeners should have the option to choose the narrator! ****

Stephen Fry reading it. Jim Dale makes everyone sound so whiny and awful, including Harry. It is unbearable.

Please add Stephen Fry's reading. It is so much better than the Jim Dale version.

I'm a baby boomer, male, usually listen to mysteries, but I've enjoyed Harry Potter since I heard the first one, glad Audible has them now so I can listen once more. The books are even better than the movies. Jim Dale is the perfect reader. I wish J K would do more like Harry than the mysteries she has done.

This is first series since Narnia and Lord of the Rings that compleyely captivated me from the first page of book one, till the last page of the last book. I assume most everyone has read the books by now. Listening to them read by Jim Dale is a special treat.

A few notes of what I love about Sorcerer's Stone.
I immediately identified with each of the characters.
The mystery is as clever and ingenious as the best mysteries in literature.
The magic is seemless with reality. It seems perfectly normal.
The contrast of the wizard world and human,(muggle) world is remarkable in its uniqueness and the reactions of the characters when the two worlds meet is priceless.