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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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