Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #02) }Hardcover

** spoiler alert **Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is my favorite of the Harry Potter books. That's mostly because of the long final scene with the Basilisk and Tom Riddle's diary. I remember still, more than 20 years after first reading it, how surprised I was. It was one of those, "No, she's wouldn't dare go there!" moments. She did dare, and she did go there. Ginni Weasley drained and near death, Harry himself poisoned by the basilisk's venom. And, of course, the pièce de résistance -- Tom Riddle appearing in corporeal form from his diary, apparently invulnerable, until Harry thinks to stab him with the Basilisk's fang.It was intense.It was the moment when the Harry Potter books stopped just being fun and became serious.Of course, it foreshadowed much that was to come. We later learn that the diary was one of Voldemort's horcruxes, perhaps the first. Destroying horcruxes is the main job of the last books in the series, but feels less intense there -- more of a sort of assembly-line process. Handsome, clever, charming Tom Riddle was a surprise, a new, more intimate view of Voldemort. And Ginni, whom Harry rescues here, eventually becomes his love and his wife. I don't think anyone actually dies in Chamber of Secrets, but you begin to feel that that is a real possibility, and of course it does eventually happen.

I first read this novel several years ago, but had not reviewed it until now. Since I own a copy of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", I decided I needed to revisit the series.This second reading was just as delightful as the first! This series just has a freshness, an amazing originality, that I know I'll NEVER get tired of!Poor Harry Potter has not had an easy life....after all, he's been targeted for bullying and attempted murder. In the first book, not only was he nearly killed by Voldemort, but then grew up being constantly bullied by his nearest relatives, the Dursleys, who are Muggles (non-magical people). Then he started attending the magical boarding school -- Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry -- and found two new enemies: Draco Malfoy, and Professor Snape. All of these characters continue to harass him in this second installment, too.Amazingly, Harry manages to deal with it all, including the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, who is ridiculously narcissistic. And in the end, as always, Harry emerges as hero!In this book, there's a new mystery to be solved, as several students, and one cat, are Petrified. This means they're literally turned into statues. At the same time, Harry is hearing something very unusual, that no one else can hear. And a certain villain makes a very unexpected appearance....The three main characters are GREAT, as usual. Harry remains resolute in solving any and all strange mysteries that may arise, and he has two incredible allies in Hermione and Ron, who back him up in all of his adventures! I love how Hermione constantly turns to books as the answer to every problem that crops up. When in doubt, head for the library! As for Ron, I really admire his loyalty to Harry. He's given Harry some very great help along the way, as well.All the secondary characters are also wonderful, which is a Rowling trademark. This is very important, as I do feel that secondary characters can either make or break a novel.Professor McGonagall, although very strict, is also very fair, as well as compassionate. Professor Snape is his usual nasty, detestable self, constantly directing his unpleasant remarks to Harry. The Weasleys -- especially Fred and George -- are very comical. I love how the whole family accepts and loves Harry, who is an orphan. And Hagrid is his usual sweet, adorable self! In this novel, we find out more about his rather shadowy past.Three new minor characters are introduced here -- the house elf, Dobby, Draco's vicious father, Lucius Malfoy, and Professor Gilderoy Lockhart.Poor Dobby leads a miserable existence, but, in spite of that, he attempts to warn Harry away from Hogwarts. Unfortunately, for some reason, he's not able to tell Harry exactly why it would be dangerous for him to return to the school. My heart went out to him!I thought it was great that Rowling also threaded in some social commentary through this character. But then, she's been doing that since the first book. It's very obvious that she's against abuse of all types, as this is a recurrent theme in the books. Dobby is mistreated by Lucius on a constant basis. Harry is mistreated by the Dursleys, and abused by Draco and Snape. This is one of the elements of the books that, I'm sure, has contributed to their appeal. Rowling definitely sticks up for the underdog!The portrayal of Lucius is very well done. He's cruel, despotic, and evil. He might come across as very stereotypical, as Harry's Muggle relative, Uncle Vernon, does, but again, I think Rowling is using some of her characters to speak out against abuse. Unfortunately, children in particular do suffer a lot of abuse worldwide, and so do other groups who have no access to power of any type.Through these two characters, Rowling also makes a very important statement regarding bigotry. Lucius (as well as his son, Draco) detests "Mudbloods", which is the name given to magical people whose parents happen to be Muggles. Lucius also loathes elves, as they are powerless to change their own status unless someone helps them out. As for Uncle Vernon, he detests magical people. Both characters are constantly judging and stereotyping those who belong to other, "different" groups. Both are, of course, insensitive to the suffering of those they unfairly mistreat.Gilderoy Lockhart provides a lot of the comic relief in this novel. He is incredibly FOND of himself! He's constantly telling people about his supposed magical exploits, as well as pushing his own books, making these a requirement for the subject he's teaching. It turns out that he's just a ridiculous windbag, but, along the way, he provided a lot of laughs at tense points in the narrative.I also loved the character of "Moaning Myrtle", even though she was constantly complaining and whining. I do feel sorry for her. She had self-esteem issues while alive, and these continued to plague her even as a ghost. She just had a very raw deal. Even her death was totally unfair. She does help out our heroes, though. Without the clues she provided, they would not have been able to solve the mystery so easily, and lives would not have been saved.The novel ended in a very satisfactory manner, as the first book did. Rowling is obviously not a fan of cliffhangers, which is something I really appreciate! Of course, it was Harry who saved the day. In fact, in this particular installment, I was very strongly reminded of Greek mythology. Harry could have been one of the famous Greek heroes, in that he battled some very great obstacles, and used his intelligence and resourcefulness in doing so. I'm sure this was intentional on Rowling's part. She certainly excels at bringing in all kinds of literary allusions to these books!Rowling's imagination is amazingly fertile, as she brings in more plot twists, more incredible events, and makes her readers wish even more that they studied and lived at Hogwarts! I find it hard to believe that these books should have met with some negative criticism. After all, they fall squarely into the tradition of the hero who triumphs against all odds! And they do so in an entirely unique and very entertaining way, too!

Why are so many people wild about Harry?I have a fascination with the thought of teaching at Hogwarts though notice they do not seem to have a philosophy course in the curriculum! Over the last year or so I have read the Harry Potter Books and watched the movies. I listen to the music on the soundtrack CDs while working. It sets a nice mood for me. Why?There has been a flurry of writing over the issue of why Potter has been such a hot item. Why do children like to read the books? We have their quotes to read over and think about. Some declare reading them has pulled them away from the abyss and toward success. Adults ponder these issues and offer various reasons why they think they have been so popular with children. Better, they also ponder why the books have been popular with adults as well. Notice that Lady JKR says she wrote the books for herself, because she liked them.Some have detailed the perfect fit the stories have with the trends in political and economic aspects of British or American society. Others have described the wonderful use the plots make of classic templates that always win hearts and imaginations. Harry is Jesus made flesh. Those who see a satanic cultus have been pretty much laughed out of town or they live in towns most laugh at.We also have the interplay with public relations and the media. Lady JKR received good PR even prior to the first publication of HPP/SS. The news media were interested in the poor single mother making good. It was like magic. Scholastic bid high for the rights in America and that meant a burden was on them to produce fans. They did a good job. But of course, the book was good in its own right. The movie stuck to the text, so to speak. One thing AOL did right. The kids would have been disappointed otherwise. Now when we read we picture things according to the film for better or worse. Frankly, I could never have imagined the delivery of lines such as, "It does not do Harry to dwell on dreams and forget to live." as well as Richard Harris did. Bless him. The irony of it hurts, but it sounds like good advice and one reason to dwell on someone else's dream when it delivers such wonderful insights.With so many enjoying the books each for their own reasons, it makes little sense to think there is a peculiarly important reason why the books have enjoyed the overwhelming success they have. There are lots of reasons.I do not want the story to stop. It bugged me that I had to wait until June to see the last movie and even longer to find out what happens to Harry next. Book 6 is scheduled to come out July 16, 2005 and my order for it is already placed. But I know I have to be patient. I don't want JKR to feel rushed. I want her to do the job right all the way to the word "scar."When I received my order for HPCS, as a side note, I puzzled over this recent development of ordering things before they are published. I have had outstanding orders for about four of five things that have not come out yet. This never used to be the case, at least for me. So this is some new kind of economic development in its own right. I suspect computers had something to do with this. And credit.I would love to teach at Hogwarts. Imagine! Students studying. Reading assignments and papers done. Students working at the library. (I seriously think Snape is the best teacher there). Reading books after class on school grounds. Students getting along well in their own houses at least. Competition between houses is a good stressor. Teachers get to teach what they consider important and they don't have to worry so much about their popularity. They can be as strict as they want. In fact, if they are not good enough or strict enough they can lose their positions!No more casual clothes. Discipline is the order of the day. All you need to do is deduct points or give detentions, even if those are no longer hanging by the thumbs in the dungeons; they are amazingly effective at Hogwarts. Students really behave. School spirit is great. The school spirits are interesting as well.The classrooms look like the pits - well, dungeons at least. At least they are not temporary or make shift! And if they are drafty? Except maybe divination class where it is warm on purpose. Students have sweaters and robes to keep them warm. Cooler is always better for staying awake anyway. Heck, even dead teachers can keep going in a school like this! (See professor Bins in the books.)No Internet. Heck, no eklectricity at all in fact. But instead of instant messaging there are instant owls. No spam, though there are occasionally howlers. You never have to find someone's address even if they are hiding from everyone. Owls know where they are. Imagine the possibilities! Message to Osama? Better use a timer if you want your owl back. How would that work?But I think the reason I would want to teach there is not just the castle and its peculiarities. It's the quality of the students. They are smart and interested. They are the kinds of kids we really want. Is this different than the ones we really have? They come to school reasonably prepared even if some of their wands are defective. There is still the pressure on those who would over indulge in intellectualosity-- maybe I should use the word "lucubrations". "This is light?" "How can you be behind in your school work? We are on vacation!" "She's a nightmare. No wonder she doesn't have any friends." But that sort of thing is resolved. "Thank goodness. Hermione pays attention in Herbology." What could be more rewarding than being her teacher?I do miss the fine arts. History taught by a dead teacher is not the best critical thinking course. Would critical thinking be out of place in Hogwarts? Not likely. Maybe there is a place for philosophy? At least in Britain.Well, no tickling sleeping dragons.

Just starting to actually read the series and it's so magical!

The book is definitely good but I am disappointed in the seller and marketing strategy. Price printed on book is 399 while seller has put a sticker of 499 and then selling at a discount.

What is there left to comment on a Harry Potter book, ? Well… my little bookworm’s comments; "I very much enjoyed this book as she tells me there is lots of action, fantasy, friendship and cleverness needed by the main characters to solve the mystery". Her favourite parts of the story are those with the house-elf Dobby, Ron’s slug burbs and Harry being dragged into Tom Riddle’s diary to a time 50 years earlier when Harry’s friend Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts".The Chamber of Secrets is the mystery story where Hogwarts muggle students turn into stone. And it lays much more of a foundation of the larger story than the first book. This is where Tom Riddle is introduced and where he turns into Voldemort to fight Harry. Several interesting new characters make their first appearance as well in this book; vain Professor Lockhart and Colin Creevy. And a troublesome spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom. Of course Harry’s old enemies, Malfoy and Snape, have a prominent role. There is an interesting underlying theme of muggle-hatred that fed to some healthy discussion with my daughter.This is my 8-year old daughter’s second ‘real’ book, as she proudly calls it – as this is a hard cover bound book that is very different than her vast collection of colourful girly picture books. I must say the colourful hard-cover version is actually quite nice and will last subsequent reading when the owner's little brother is bound to pick it op in due course.Our daughter has seen all the Harry Potter movies, which she thoroughly enjoyed. So she has now started to read the first few books. The books are great and she is quite encouraged to actually pick it up and continue the read - as there is lots of additional Potterish detail and trivia left out from the movies that she is keen to pick up. Given that we got a her an overpriced Hermione wand, she is particularly interested in the spells. And she found a number of entertaining story elements like part of the ‘wizard's duel’ that never made it into the movie.In the end the book is highly relatable to kids as it describes the big and small challenges that kids face every day. It shows how the characters deal with unfairness, anxiety and how boring and challenging school can be.Somehow I have the feeling this is one of those children's books my daughter will read and reread into adulthood.

Following on from Philosopher's Stone, this takes us through Harry Potter's second year at Hogwarts. It opens with Harry spending "the worst birthday" at No 4 Privet Drive and his aunt, uncle and cousin are just as mean as ever. With two people coming to have dinner and the husband to have a discussion with his uncle which his uncle hopes will sign a deal at his firm, everything's looking rosy in the garden for them so long as Harry "stays in his room, makes no noise and pretends he's not there", but unfortunately this is Harry Potter we're talking about. A visit from a house elf, warning Harry not to return to school, then causing havoc in the kitchen because Harry refuses to co-operate, ends in Harry being imprisoned in his room behind bars, but thankfully help is on the way and after the rest of his summer holiday spent at Ron Weasley's home, Harry is in hopes of a smooth journey back to school. But unable to get through the barrier at King's Cross he and Ron have one way only of getting back to school and that's by means of a flying car Ron's dad has enchanted. After a far from smooth landing at the school and fear of expulsion the year begins, this time with an inept teacher who has no idea how to treat injuries and turns Valentine's day into absolute mayhem. But when Harry begins to hear voices which nobody else can hear and an attack is made on Halloween night, followed by a strange message on the wall, it's the precursor of more attacks, ending in the school having to be closed unless it can be stopped. This is one book which is a page turner and you will not be able to put down.

Harry potter series are the best and this part is the most interesting among all.It worth reading more than twice.Lovely quality and amazon please provide bookmarks.

The secrets behind the Chamber of Secrets.Are you a fan of the magical world? Do you like stories about magical creatures, witches and wizzards. Well, Harry potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the book for you.The second book of the Harry Potter saga, starts at the end of the summer with Harry’s maltreatment at the hands of the Durselys. When Mr Durselys announces an extremely important meeting with the Masons, instructing Harry to remain inconspicuous. Enter the untimely new character Dobby, the Malfoy house elf, who appears to save Harry from the perils of the coming second year at Hogwarts. All hell breaks loose at number 4 Privet Drive!After a hazardous journey to get to Hogwarts, the story unfolds when it is discovered that there is a chamber of secrets, which has not been open in fifty years, once again the chamber is reopened by the heir of Slytherin.Harry, Ron and Hermione (the three main protagonists), embark on a journey trying to solve who has openes the chamber of secrets. The story has many twists and turns, some may make you laugh, others may make you gasp. But the end definitely won’t disappoint you.This book will attract believers of the magical world, and I thoroughly recommend it to readers of all ages