Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Unabridged 7 Audio CD Set)

Harry Potter has spent the first 10 years of his life at the mercy of the dreadful Dursleys--the aunt, uncle and fat, spoilt brat of a cousin who reluctantly gave him a home after the death of his mother and father. But on his 11th birthday Harry discovers that he is no ordinary boy, and despite the best efforts of his hideous relatives he escapes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his new life as a trainee wizard. And the rest, as they say, is history...

As Harry battles against the evils thrown in his path, Stephen Fry injects the proceedings with a wry, dry and extremely contagious humour that perfectly suits the tale, wringing out the best in Harry and his cohorts as they get to grips with their new lives at the sharp end of Hogwarts. Fry's innate upper-class drone is perfectly suited to the telling of this most magical tale, cracking into the high-pitched squawking of Hermione the swat, or the gentle tones of the firm but fair Dumbledore, or the evil sniping of slimey Snape at precisely the right moments.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a fine story and much has been written about its success but until you have heard Fry's cracking reading of this most magical of stories then you simply haven't lived. As with any audio book, this one is perfect for car journeys and an ideal way of introducing reluctant readers to the magic that is Harry Potter. (Ages 9 and over) --Susan Harrison

My wife, the family's true Harry Potter fanatic, opines that Stephen Fry would have been ideal in the motion picture series in the role of Hagrid, the animal lover. When Hagrid regards the baby dragon he says, "he knows his mummy," and when Stephen Fry reads the line, I'm inclined to agree with her. When a job calls for whimsy and gravitas in equal measure, Fry has no equal.


Primus Inter Pares   July 10, 2001
tedgar@socal.rr.com (Los Angeles)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Primus Inter Pares means "first among equals"--that describes Mr. Fry! Not many realize, I didn't know myself before I'd heard him reading Rowling's work, that Mr. Fry was a Hogwarts' lad. His inimitable style is positively magical.

I live in the U.S. and the only Harry Potter CDs and cassette tapes available here are narrated by Jim Dale. Thus, most people here are not familiar with Fry's HP tapes. I don't like to insult Mr. Dale but his voice and manner of doing the characters made me shudder. He's not right for Harry Potter, at all! My husband agreed and we rushed the CD back to the store. After a little time and a lot of effort I learned I could only obtain Fry's versions of Harry Potter from the U.K.

What a blessed day it was when finally Fry's tapes were delivered to my door. After listening to the first one, my husband asked me to order the other three Harry Potter audio sets by Fry, at once. I was only too thrilled to oblige. Now we listen to them all the time: when we first wake up and as we are falling to sleep at night.

Stephen Fry combined with J.K. Rowling is an unrivaled treat. I prompt you to try them all! _Teri


Absolutely Fantastic!   November 25, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is the best read story tape I have ever listened to! Stephen Fry is the most beautiful reader one can possibly imagine hearing. Over this side of the Atlantic, we get Jim Dale, and he is just simply not very good.

Stephen Fry really does put you into the scenes and makes the whole idea of the Harry Potter world believeable and realistic.

If you live in America, do not hesitate for one moment to go out and get the Stephen Fry version. You won't be sorry!


Six Stars!   July 10, 2001
tedgar@socal.rr.com (Los Angeles)
37 out of 42 found this review helpful

Teaming the peerless talent of Stephen Fry with the genius of J.K. Rowling was a masterful stroke. The two together make for one powerfully magical time. He's perfect for reading Harry Potter! I love the character voices he does--they are so natural, so real, you forget you're listening to a narrator. Sometimes when you read a book, you get so lost in the story you forget you're reading. That is how I feel when I read J.K. Rowling and it's how I feel when I listen to Stephen Fry. His voice is so classy! I love to hear him do Draco Malfoy's drawling tone and Dumbledore's wise and gentle intonation. And, Hagrid--perfect!!!

I have all four audios by Mr. Fry. My mom and dad love them more than I do--and that's a lot! I listen to them when I'm on my bike or when I'm traveling in the car. I also listen to them every night before I go to bed.

I also like the fact that I learn all kinds of details that I didn't notice when I read the books, which I read more than once, believe me!

The people in the U.K. are lucky because in the U.S. all we have is Jim Dale. His voice is so yucky! I hated to hear him ruin the characters. It doesn't sound at all like I think they should sound. My dad talked to our local bookstores and had to send to England for the Stephen Fry tapes. I was happy, indeed, to finally get them. Whew!

Thank you, Mr. Fry and Ms. Rowling!!!!!