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Synopsis From the Cover:
(The Original Version): Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by an owl, taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The Reason: Harry Potter is a wizard!
(From the Sorcerers Stone - American Version): Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a brromstick. He's never worn a cloak of invisibility, befriended a giant or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.
But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.
See the difference? The "American-ized" version gives a lot more away. Just to let you know, "American-ized" is a word I am going to use a lot in this post.
Now, the version of this book that I normally read is the one whose cover is above. It is the version with the proper title and everything. However, this time I didn't read "Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone". I read "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone". Until earlier today, I didn't understand why the American-ized version changed the title, until a website explained it to me (I can no longer seem to find this website, which is weird, but I can't link it now).
Basically, in Great Briton, a philosopher refers to a person associated with magical things. The publishers in the United States felt that since their idea of a philosopher was someone who was simply very logical, it didn't fit in the title.
I believe that the States is the only place that it is called the Sorcerers Stone (or at least, I know the version you buy in Canada is the GB version, which is the Philosopher's Stone)
Now this is a book that I have read many, many, many, many times. Probably close to 20 or 30. After all, the first time I read it I was 7, and now I am almost 18. So obviously I love it. A lot. I usually whip through the books like crazy, but this time when I read it, it took me a whole lot longer. I kept stopping and thinking about how different it was. The biggest differences I found were the spelling, and the word choice. I complied a list below
Canadian Version US Version
Colour Color
Behaviour Behavior
Football Soccer
Crumpet Muffin
Jumper Sweater
Sherbert Lemon Lemon Drop
Moustache Mustache
Honour Honor
Trolley Cart
Rucksack Backpack
That is a shorter list that I compiled. Now to some of you, none of those small things would bother you while you were reading, but they were a huge deal for me.
I wanted to get out a pen and correct the book. I would've too... If I hadn't been reading it on my e-reader.
All in all, J.K. Rowling is an amazing authour, and her books will always be great, whether with spelling mistakes or not.
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3 comments:
That's a very interesting post. I loved the Harry Potter series and was soo sad to see it end. I like the photo^ my friend would too ,shes litterally obsessed with Alan Rickman. What was your favourite character out of the series.? were you happy with the ending?
Mandy, you ask tough questions!!
My favourite character.... ermm.... oh dear...
I really loved Lupin. Even though you didn't read about him that much, he is still totally awesome. I cried when he died.
I know that a lot of people really didn't like the ending with the whole "19 years later" but I totally loved it! It was so perfect.
I know my sister thought it was perfect too, because she got a tattoo that has the deathly hallows sign, with "All Was Well" around it.
BTW - BEST ENDING WORDS EVER.
I don't even think there should be an American version. The book was perfect the way it was! I can't even describe how much that annoys me. I wonder if the movie was titled differently there as well... But anyways I'll just stick with the British version. By the way that is so cool that your sister has a tattoo about the deathly hollows! :)
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