Early the next morning, before London's fog had fully lifted, the bells of newspaper delivery bicycles were already ringing through its streets and alleys.
On the front page of The Times, a review prominently bore the byline "Literary editor Andrew Norris."
The headline contained just three words:
"Magic changes everything."
The article opened as follows:
"If you have not yet read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, you are missing one of the most important literary works of this century."
"In my thirty years as a literary critic, I have witnessed countless so-called 'phenomenal works.'"
"Some were genuinely excellent, but far more were bubbles inflated by marketing and public opinion. This book needs no such packaging, because it shines in its own right."
The article analyzed the work's value from several perspectives:
"From a literary perspective, Allen Vane's narrative technique is a textbook example."
"Every piece of foreshadowing planted in the first half finds its precise payoff in the second."
"The troll, the enchanted mirror, the three-headed dog... these seemingly independent elements ultimately converge into a complete and powerful ending."
"Such command of structure is exceedingly rare even among established authors."
"In terms of imagination, the construction of Hogwarts is breathtaking."
"Moving staircases, talking portraits, common room entrances with changing passwords... the sheer richness of these details makes one wonder whether the author has actually visited such a place."
"And Quidditch, a sport combining broomsticks, flying balls, and strategy, is undoubtedly one of the finest original creations in fantasy literature in recent years."
"On an emotional level, Harry Potter's journey of growth has universal human resonance."
"A neglected child discovers what makes him unique, then finds belonging and courage."
"This is not merely a story about a magical world, but a portrait of everyone who has ever felt alone."
The article concluded:
"This book is changing Great Britain's reading landscape. Children are entering bookstores of their own accord, and adults are rediscovering the imagination of their youth."
"And all of this stems from an author about whom we know almost nothing-Allen Vane."
"Who exactly is he? How did he create this world? Perhaps we will never know the answers."
"But one thing is certain: he has given us what our age needs most-a magnificent, beautiful dream in which we can briefly escape reality."
Meanwhile, The Guardian's literary section also published a lengthy review.
Its headline was: "From Privet Drive to Hogwarts: a nation's cultural renaissance."
The author was The Guardian's chief literary critic, Henry Ford, the veteran editor who had previously appeared on a BBC program.
He wrote in the article:
"In my forty years in this profession, I have never seen a book strike such a widespread chord in so little time as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."
"Last week, outside a London bookstore, I witnessed the following scene:"
"A bank employee in a suit, a secondary school student carrying a schoolbag, and a white-haired elderly woman stood side by side in a queue, each holding the same book."
"They were strangers, but because of this book, they began talking, sharing their experiences of reading it."
"This is the power of literature. It breaks down barriers of class, age, and occupation, connecting different people."
"And from a broader perspective, this book has immeasurable value for Great Britain's cultural exports."
"For a long time, the influence of our cultural products in the international market has been declining."
"Hollywood films, Cherry Blossom Country's animation and comics, Germany's publishing industry... we are being overtaken."
"But the arrival of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has given us hope of rising again."
"To my knowledge, publishers in more than twenty countries have already purchased the rights to this book."
"What does this mean? It means that in the near future, children in Tokyo, New York, Paris, and Sydney will all read this magical story from Great Britain."
"Through this book, they will come to know our language, our culture, and our imagination."
"This is a triumph for cultural exports. In the cultural sphere, we will be-far ahead!"
The weekly Literary Review ran a special feature that same day.
Its cover featured a photograph of Philip Pullman, with a line of large print beneath it:
"Philip Pullman: Harry Potter marks the beginning of an era."
In the exclusive interview, Philip elaborated on his views of the book:
"Many people ask me how this book compares to His Dark Materials."
"My answer is: this is not a competition. We write different stories and pursue different goals."
"But one thing I can say with certainty is that Allen Vane's narrative talent is pure and full of imagination."
"He understands how to introduce suspense at just the right moment, and how to release emotion at just the right moment."
"The characters he writes are not paper cutouts, but living, breathing people of flesh and blood who make mistakes and grow."
"Harry Potter is not a hero in the traditional sense. Sometimes he is impulsive, sometimes he feels dejected, and sometimes he makes the wrong decisions."
"But it is precisely these flaws that make him real. When he finally faces Professor Quirrell-or rather, Voldemort-his courage comes not from ignorance, but from his determination to hold on to what he cherishes."
"This is true heroism, in keeping with people's values."
The Daily Telegraph analyzed the book from an economic perspective.
Its front-page headline read: "One book, one industry: how Harry Potter is saving Great Britain's publishing industry."
The article cited figures from Bloomsbury Publishing:
"As of five p.m. on October 1, combined sales of the first and second volumes of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone have surpassed three million copies."
"Merchandise sales have exceeded five million pounds. Over the next three months, this book is expected to generate more than twenty million pounds in direct economic benefits for Great Britain's publishing, retail, and manufacturing industries."
"And this is only the beginning. As overseas editions are released one after another, that figure is expected to double within a year."
The article also included comments from a government official who wished to remain anonymous:
"This book is becoming a flagship product of Great Britain's cultural industries, showcasing our creativity to the world."
"We have reason to believe that, like The Beatles and Holmes, it will become an important symbol of Great Britain's cultural exports."
Meanwhile, in a small apartment in north London, Allen Vane was leisurely writing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
The system's notification chime had just sounded in his mind.
[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has received widespread positive media coverage.] [Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone has been published in full.] [Overall rating: S+] [Milestone reward issued: magic power increase (tier two)]
Allen felt that familiar warm current surge through his body again, fuller and more concentrated than before.
[As the overall response exceeded expectations, an additional reward has been issued: best-matched wand (exclusive)]