| By Gale Staff |
That’s right. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was first published under the title Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Maybe all you die hard Harry Potter fans knew that, but did you know:
- The “Philosopher’s Stone” is an object from legends, and dates back to 300 CE. According to lore, it was used in alchemy, a medieval science that attempts to transmute base metals into gold and to create an elixir of immortality.
- A prominent theme in the novel is the dangers of desire. Harry encounters this in the Mirror of Erised (“desire” spelled backwards).
Download the full excerpt from Supernatural Literature, 1st Edition.
Supernatural Literature, 1st Edition makes a fascinating supplement to contemporary and classic literature covering works such as J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
From ghosts, vampires, and monsters, to curses, potions, and prophecies, Supernatural Literature, 1st Edition contains three volumes covering a broad range of captivating topics that help to uncover the presence of the supernatural in literature and the role it plays in social commentary, cultural identity, gender roles, and much more.
Supernatural Literature, 1st Edition is available in print or eBook format on GVRL. Learn more or request a quote!