A review by estherdb
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
5.0
Well, so I just came back from a wonderful trip down Nostalgia lane. It was lovely.
Personally, I think illustrated books are tricky: either you like the illustrator's style or you don't. If you were attracted to a book's illustrations, you can still be disappointed by its content. And on the other hand, you might not like the illustrations, but like the work itself. In the former situation, I tend to reluctantly finish reading the book, all the while paying more attention to the illustrations than I am to the words next to them. In the latter situation, I always feel as though the illustrations block me from losing myself in the story.
I will admit that at times illustrations - just like stories - can grow on you, but I've never grown to adore something I previously hated. I learned to accept it and appreciate it for it's own sake, but some hint of the intuitive dislike will somehow always linger a little.
It was for this reason that I was hesitant to read this illustrated version of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". I love this book in its original form, so would I risk "ruining" my image of certain characters and locations if the illustrator had a completely different take on things? Unlike movie adaptations of books, where I can seperate one medium from the other - film and books are two different media with their own aesthetics, "language" and charms -, illustrated books are too connected to their original form.
Were my hesitations just? Nope, they weren't. I love this book to pieces.
In my opinion, Jim Kay's style fits the story like a glove. As I already mentioned, this is a highly personal thing. Someone else might hate it, but for me, it was a perfect match.
The illustrated version is magical, beautiful and for me, it was a perfect excuse to start rereading the series.
As for the book's exterior qualities: splendid. The paper is thick, glossy and has a very luxurious feel to it. The hardcover version has a bound bookmark (and I am a complete sucker for these things) and the colours of the actual cover and the dust jacket are "OCDish-people-approvedly" coordinated.
Personally, I think illustrated books are tricky: either you like the illustrator's style or you don't. If you were attracted to a book's illustrations, you can still be disappointed by its content. And on the other hand, you might not like the illustrations, but like the work itself. In the former situation, I tend to reluctantly finish reading the book, all the while paying more attention to the illustrations than I am to the words next to them. In the latter situation, I always feel as though the illustrations block me from losing myself in the story.
I will admit that at times illustrations - just like stories - can grow on you, but I've never grown to adore something I previously hated. I learned to accept it and appreciate it for it's own sake, but some hint of the intuitive dislike will somehow always linger a little.
It was for this reason that I was hesitant to read this illustrated version of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". I love this book in its original form, so would I risk "ruining" my image of certain characters and locations if the illustrator had a completely different take on things? Unlike movie adaptations of books, where I can seperate one medium from the other - film and books are two different media with their own aesthetics, "language" and charms -, illustrated books are too connected to their original form.
Were my hesitations just? Nope, they weren't. I love this book to pieces.
In my opinion, Jim Kay's style fits the story like a glove. As I already mentioned, this is a highly personal thing. Someone else might hate it, but for me, it was a perfect match.
The illustrated version is magical, beautiful and for me, it was a perfect excuse to start rereading the series.
As for the book's exterior qualities: splendid. The paper is thick, glossy and has a very luxurious feel to it. The hardcover version has a bound bookmark (and I am a complete sucker for these things) and the colours of the actual cover and the dust jacket are "OCDish-people-approvedly" coordinated.