The book on which it all gets build - and arguably also the best and funniest

The first book in the series that were the basis of the movies that led to J.K. Rowling becoming a billionaire. The first 3 books in the series are clearly meant for children, but then in a very grown-up way. This book contains a real fantasy story, not just some childish tale. The book starts with a brief intro where we meet some wizzards and overhear some cryptic conversations. This means a lot of question marks, only later in the book this will start to make sense. The we meet main character Harry Potter, an 11-year old boy that grows up while mostly living in the cupboard under the stairs in the house of his uncle and aunt. No love is lost between uncle Vernon, aunt Petunion and their spoiled brat and Harry. We learn that Harry lost his parents and was taken in by his family. Some strange incidents will lead up to Harry being invited to Hogwarts, a school of magic. That is a revelation for Harry who is for the first time in his life feeling at home and being happy at the same time. He meets Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger who will become his best friends. Going shopping in a street full of magic shops in London, visiting a bank vault owned by goblins, obtaining a magic wand and an owl as familiar is nothing compared to taking the Howarts Express on track 9 3/4. Of course it is not all sunshine, there is Snape, a teacher that has it in for Harry from the time they meet and Malfoy who will become his arch-enemy throughout the series. Classes in magic, spell, potions all are very far from what is taught in normal schools. And indeed the Howarts castle itself is not only huge, it is magic itself with changing stairs and room, dungeons, secret rooms, moving and speaking portraits and not to forget a number of ghost as permanent residents. Harry finds out that his parents were murdered by an evil wizard, Voldemort, while trying to protect him. At the incident Voldemort lost his powers but did not die. And he swore to make a comeback to kill Harry. This will turn out to be the main plotline in the wholse series of books, in this first part the buildup starts but it is more a danger in the background. There is a lot of action, excitement and danger but the overtone is humorous and fun. To enjoy these books, it is necessary to read them in order.