Essay

Ogni buon lettore ha in mente la propria biblioteca ideale composta da quei libri che si consultano spesso, si rileggono per coglierne le sfumature, si tengono nelle mani per il semplice piacere tattile di sentirli nostri. Facendo riferimento alla produzione letteraria in una delle lingue straniere da te studiate, individua unopera che porresti nella tua biblioteca ideale e giustifica la scelta mettendo in evidenzia i motivi del tuo apprezzamento. (Sessione ordinaria 2009). (600-800 words)

Im an avid reader, since I could remember, or better, read. I have always enjoyed a lot getting acquainted with new characters, new worlds and new adventures. And all of this while rolled up on a comfortable armchair in the living-room. Of course, the books I had been leafing through when I was 6 have changed a little up to now that Im 8 years older, both in difficulty and themes. As a matter of fact, who, who had enough good sense, would ever give a George Orwells book to a little girl as a birthday present? As a little bookworm worthy of its name, I have read a lot books. As an obvious consequence, if one would ever ask me, which book would I put in my ideal library, I couldnt help but having a little troubles in finding out which authors and which works of them I appreciate the most. Anyway, I think Harry Potter and the philosophers stone would definitely be one of the first book I would introduce in this ideal library of mine. J. K. Rowling is the name of the author of this book I named, which is just one of the series of seven fantasy novels having a young wizard (the very Harry Potter) as protagonist. I started reading Harry Potter series when I got the first volume as a present, at the age of 11. As soon as I finished it (matter of one day), I became nearly obsessed with obtaining all the next volumes. I appreciated every book of the series, even if I would consider the first one as the most significant one: ig it didnt stike me, never would I have gone on with the lecture of the series. I think I really enjoyed reading Harry Potter because hes a very human character. Harry is introduced as a young and orphan boy raised by his uncle and aunt and their son. He doesnt seem to have a particularly special life, in fact rather sad... Since his 11th birthday, when he finds out hes a wizard. From this moment onward, the narrator will follow his and his friends Hermione and Ron adventure in a special school of wizards and witches, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The amazing and magic plot of this book is not the only reason why I love Harry Potter so much. As a matter of fact, J.K Rowling has an unusual talent in getting the reader transported to a different world through her style of writing. There is so much detail and realism in her writing that whenever one reads the books, this person couldnt but get completely engrossed in them. Its important to remember the public Harry Potter is addressing to, is a young public, that is to say, not especially keen to long descriptions. And never have I heard someone complaining about the breathtaking descriptions of Harry Potter series setting. Another thing I really love is how the characters are all really believable and extremely easy to fall in love with. I especially prized the way the writer has been able not to fall back into the classic classification between good and evil characters, something I cant stand. The character of Snape can be a good example: hes one of Harrys professor and, even if he first seem not to sympathize with Harry and behaves extremely arrogantly with him, in the last book his touching past is revealed; revelation through the reader gets even to realize how he is one of the most valiant characters.

Still referring to the characters, I personally found really easy to empathize with them. Thats something which happens almost with any book, but I think he Harry Potter series to have something else: their public had been growing older with the protagonists. Moreover, the book offer its readers good values to believe in, such as friendship. Harry had a really strong bond with Ron and Hermione, a wizard a witch just like him. They are loyal, honest and genuinely attached to each other as friends. So, Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone is to be one of the first book I would place in my ideal library. I think I never would get bored by reading it, not even if for the nth time. ...And never will I be able to understand how the author managed to create a so fresh, new and original story such as this one and, most of all, to convey it so well.