Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen

Eine Junge ueberlebt

Mr. und Mrs. Dursley im Ligusterweg Nummer 4 waren stolz darauf, ganz und gar normal zu sein, sehr stolz sogar. Niemand waere auf die Idee bekommen, sie koennten sich in eine merkwuerdige und geheimnisvolle Geschichte verstricken, denn mit solchem Unsinn wollten sie nichts zu tun haben.

That's the first paragraph of the very first Harry Potter book by JK Rowling, or Joanne K. Rowling as she's credited on her books in Germany.

My parents just returned from Germany and brought me, at my request, an audio book of this, as well as the German translation of this, which is called : Harry Potter und der Stein der Weisen (Harry Potter and the Stone of Knowledge).

My German is not such that I'll readily be able to understand what I'm reading, but I intend to learn.

Rather unfortunate, though, as Harry Potter is not my favorite series. But it was the only one I could think of that my parents could easily find in Germany. I'd rather have an Honor Harrington book and audio book, for example, or a Discworld one..

But, I'm pleased with what I've got.

It'll be interesting to see how all the magical words are translated, or if they're just used verbatim.