Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
by J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPré
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Book Summary Information
Author: J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPréBrand: Scholastic
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-09-01
ISBN: 0439064872
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780439064873
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Book Reviews of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
Book Review: "Hmm...I Think I'll Blame You Today"
Summary: 5 Stars
With the rising fanaticism of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series comes many complaints, even bashings of these lovable books. Some believe the books to be sacrilegious because they possess subjects of wizardry and Dark Magic. Others knock the series because they feel the books hold excessive grotesqueness and violence. Since these fears lead to the implication that the series will corrupt children, people begin to advocate the banishing of the books. Firstly, people need to realize these books are fiction and do not prove any damage to children. Secondly, people fail to see the valuable lessons the series can instill in children. In the second book of the series Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry is faced with a dilemma that is apparent in many adolescent lives-how does he deal when his peers turn against him? Throughout the book, people constantly point to Harry for the attacks at Hogwarts; they persecute him, condemning his popularity and his talents, both of which are factors that define his character. Harry learns not to depend on others' thoughts and glorifies his traits so that he will subsist through accusations, in the end finding triumph from the vices of Lord Voldemort. Harry holds unique qualities and traits that differentiate him from his peers. Physically, he is like any other child; the only exception is the lightening-shaped scar on his forehead that stands as the emblem of his self-"the boy who lived" (Rowling The Sorcerer's Stone 17). This scar maintains Harry's reputation and symbolizes his distinctive traits. The scar popularizes Harry in the wizard world, denoting him as the hero who defeated Voldemort. Unfortunately, when the attacks begin Harry coincidently finds himself at every crime scene. This along with the discovery of a certain peculiarity causes Harry's fame to backfire; his peers begin to doubt him and distort his attributes to be destructive rather than stout. In The Chamber of Secrets Harry and the rest of Hogwarts learn that he is a Parselmouth, one who can communicate with snakes, a trait inhabited by two other people--Salazar Slytherin and his heir, the only one who can open the Chamber of Secrets. Both are infamous for their engagements in the Dark Arts. Harry's ability to speak Parseltongue links him to these terrible beings, thus opening the gateway for accusations and assumptions of who Harry Potter really is. "No one knows how he survived that attack by You-Know-Who...Only a really powerful Dark wizard could have survived a curse like that...I wonder what other powers Potter's been hiding?" (Rowling The Chamber of Secrets 199). Many of Harry's peers blame him for the attacks, assuming he is Salazar Slytherin's heir; as the accusations increase, Harry begins to doubt himself and his self-worth. "Could he be a descendant of Salazar Slytherin?...But I'm in Gryffindor...The Sorting Hat wouldn't have put me here if I had Slytherin blood...Ah, said a nasty little voice in his brain, but the Sorting Hat wanted to put you in Slytherin, don't you remember?" (Rowling The Chamber of Secrets 197). These hasty allegations place unhealthy thoughts in Harry's mind; he questions his choices, talents, and history, allowing himself to believe these rash rumors. Harry's choices, talents, and history make him who he is; for him to doubt himself deters him from achieving his individuality. After the foe attacks his best friend Hermione, Harry shuts away other's opinions, and concentrates on his own talents, ultimately discovering the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets and, for a third time, escaping the evils of Voldemort. Harry is triumphant in the end because he refuses to engage himself in other's thoughts. To be happy, Harry must be content with the factors that make him who he is-his qualities, his talents, and his choices. This is one of the priceless lessons that is embedded in the Harry Potter series. In his article, "Long Live Harry Potter," Christopher Barili defends the Harry Potter books, stating, "...Rowling has created a literary character, a person who, for millions of kids around the world, lives and breathes. They identify with him and with his problems..." (2). The Harry Potter series should not even be considered for banishment; there is no evidence that they corrupt children. The series holds true to the fact that children do identify with Harry, perceiving him as if he were real. Harry learns many valuable lessons as he completes his years at Hogwarts. He grows to become his own person, gaining the confidence to pride himself. As he grows, the children stay with him through every adventure.Sources:
Barili, Christopher. "Long Live Harry Potter." Themestream. 8 August 2000.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic 1997. ---. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic 1999.
Summary of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
The Dursleys were so mean that hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone--or something--starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects...Harry Potter himself?
What makes the Harry Potter series so successful? Maybe it's the fact that J.K. Rowling doesn't write children's books, she writes children's stories, more in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm than Dr. Seuss. The exploits of Harry and his friends captivate even the shortest attention spans by engaging the imagination with vivid characters and fast-moving action, instead of trying to merely catch the eye with colorful pictures or pop-up effects. Not surprisingly, the Potter tales sound wonderful read aloud, and adapt to the audiobook format extremely well. Broadway actor Jim Dale's impressive vocal range gives each character in the book its own distinctive voice--a considerable task, given the pantheon of witches, warlocks, ghosts, ghouls, dwarves, and elves that Harry encounters in his second outing. And thankfully, since the book is read unabridged, no one's favorite character is omitted. Engaging for children without being childish, the audio version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is worthy addition to the deservedly popular series. (Running time: 9 hours, 6 cassettes) --Andrew Nieland
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