You know who knew a lot about struggling against the odds to overcome a seemingly all-pervasive evil force? Harry motherflippin’ Potter. So why not use your lockdown to revisit the start of the boy wizard’s world-conquering saga of books – in audio form?
Last week we told you that audiobook service Audible had made hundreds of its titles available to download for nothing to help get people staying indoors through the current crisis.
Now it’s gone one better by making a very significant book FREE to the world: JK Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’. The first book in the Harry Potter series is being made available completely gratis from today (Wednesday April 1).
The landmark story of the boy who discovers he has a wizardly destiny has consistently been one of Audible’s bestsellers since it was added to its list in 2015. It’s narrated in English by none other than British national treasure Stephen Fry. (Sorry, USA: we know you love Jim Dale and call it ‘the Sorcerer’s Stone’, but this time it’s not to be.)
Not only that, but Audible is also making the title available in French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. That’s great if English isn’t your mother tongue, but – and here’s a thought – it’s also a chance to learn a whole new language while stuck at home if you already know the book pretty much off by heart. Either way, it’s nine-hours-plus of mellifluous audio gold for your self-isolating ears.
Find ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ on Audible Stories, along with loads of other free audiobooks.