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| Categories | Growing Up & Facts of Life |
| Author | J.K. Rowling |
| Publisher | Scholastic Inc.; Reprint edition (May 2, 2023) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 352 pages |
| Item Weight | 8 ounces |
| Dimensions |
5.35 x 0.81 x 7.56 inches |
I. Book introduction
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling and the second novel in the Harry Potter series. The plot follows Harry’s second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, during which a series of messages on the walls of the school’s corridors warn that the “Chamber of Secrets” has been opened and that the “heir of Slytherin” would kill all pupils who do not come from all-magical families. These threats are found after attacks that leave residents of the school petrified. Throughout the year, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione investigate the attacks.
The book was published in the United Kingdom on 2 July 1998 by Bloomsbury and later in the United States on 2 June 1999 by Scholastic Inc. Although Rowling says she found it difficult to finish the book, it won high praise and awards from critics, young readers, and the book industry, although some critics thought the story was perhaps too frightening for younger children. Much like with other novels in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets triggered religious debates; some religious authorities have condemned its use of magical themes, whereas others have praised its emphasis on self-sacrifice and the way one’s character is the result of one’s choices.
Several commentators have noted that personal identity is a strong theme in the book and that it addresses issues of racism through the treatment of non-human, non-magical, and non-living people. Some commentators regard the story’s diary that writes back as a warning against uncritical acceptance of information from sources whose motives and reliability cannot be checked. Institutional authority is portrayed as self-serving and incompetent.
The film adaptation of the novel, released in 2002, became (at the time) the fifth highest-grossing film ever and received generally favourable reviews. Video games loosely based on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets were also released for several platforms, and most obtained favourable reviews.
Plot
While spending the summer with the Dursleys, the twelve-year-old Harry Potter is visited by Dobby, a house-elf. Dobby says Harry is in danger and must promise not to return to Hogwarts. When Harry refuses, Dobby uses magic to destroy a pudding made by Aunt Petunia. Believing that Harry created the mess, Uncle Vernon locks him in his room. The Ministry of Magic sends a notice accusing Harry of performing underage magic and threatening to expel him from Hogwarts.
The Weasley brothers Ron, Fred, and George arrive in their father’s flying car and take Harry to their home. When Harry and the Weasleys go to Diagon Alley for school supplies, they meet Gilderoy Lockhart, a celebrity author who is the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. At King’s Cross station, Harry and Ron cannot enter Platform 9¾ to board the Hogwarts Express, so they fly to Hogwarts in the enchanted car.
During the school year, Harry hears a strange voice emanating from the castle walls. Argus Filch’s cat is found Petrified, along with a warning scrawled on the wall: “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir, beware”. Harry learns that the Chamber supposedly houses a monster that attacks Muggle-born students, and which only the Heir of Slytherin can control. During a Quidditch match, a rogue Bludger strikes Harry, breaking his arm. Professor Lockhart botches an attempt to mend it, which sends Harry to the hospital wing. Dobby visits Harry and reveals that he jinxed the Bludger and sealed the portal at King’s Cross. He also tells Harry that house-elves are bound to serve a master, and cannot be freed unless their master gives them clothing.
After another attack from the monster, students attend a defensive duelling class. During the class, Harry displays the rare ability to speak Parseltongue, the language of snakes. Moaning Myrtle, a ghost who haunts a bathroom, shows Harry and his friends a diary that was left in her stall. It belonged to Tom Riddle, a student who witnessed another student’s death when the Chamber was last opened. During the next attack by the monster, Hermione Granger is Petrified.
Harry and Ron discover that the monster is a Basilisk, a gigantic snake that can kill victims with a direct gaze and Petrify them with an indirect gaze. Harry realizes the Basilisk is producing the voice he hears in the walls. After Ron’s sister Ginny is abducted and taken into the Chamber, Harry and Ron discover the Chamber entrance in Myrtle’s bathroom. When they force Lockhart to enter with them, he confesses that the stories he told of his heroic adventures are fabrications. He attempts to erase the boys’ memories, but his spell backfires and obliterates his own memory.
Harry finds an unconscious Ginny in the Chamber. A manifestation of Tom Riddle appears and reveals that he is Lord Voldemort and the Heir of Slytherin. After explaining that he opened the Chamber, Riddle summons the Basilisk to kill Harry. Dumbledore’s phoenix Fawkes arrives, bringing Harry the Sorting Hat. While Fawkes blinds the Basilisk, Harry pulls the Sword of Gryffindor from the Hat. He slays the serpent, then stabs the diary with a Basilisk fang, destroying it and the manifestation of Riddle. Later, Harry liberates Dobby by tricking his master into giving him clothing. At the end of the novel, the Petrified students are cured and Gryffindor wins the House Cup.
About the Author (J.K. Rowling)
Joanne Rowling (born 31 July 1965), known by her pen name J.K. Rowling, is a British author and philanthropist. She is the author of Harry Potter, a seven-volume fantasy novel series published from 1997 to 2007. The series has sold over 600 million copies, been translated into 84 languages, and spawned a global media franchise including films and video games. The Casual Vacancy (2012) was her first novel for adults. She writes Cormoran Strike, an ongoing crime fiction series, under the alias Robert Galbraith.
Born in Yate, Gloucestershire, Rowling was working as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International in 1990 when she conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series. The seven-year period that followed saw the death of her mother, the birth of her first child, divorce from her first husband, and relative poverty until the first novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was published in 1997. Six sequels followed, concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007). By 2008, Forbes had named her the world’s highest-paid author.
The novels follow a boy called Harry Potter as he attends Hogwarts (a school for wizards), and battles Lord Voldemort. Death and the divide between good and evil are the central themes of the series. Its influences include Bildungsroman (the coming-of-age genre), school stories, fairy tales, and Christian allegory. The series revived fantasy as a genre in the children’s market, spawned a host of imitators, and inspired an active fandom. Critical reception has been more mixed. Many reviewers see Rowling’s writing as conventional; some regard her portrayal of gender and social division as regressive. There were also religious debates over the Harry Potter series.
J.K. Rowling has won many accolades for her work. She has received an OBE and made a Companion of Honour for services to literature and philanthropy. Harry Potter brought her wealth and recognition, which she has used to advance philanthropic endeavours and political causes. She established the Volant Charitable Trust in 2000, and co-founded the charity Lumos in 2005. Rowling’s philanthropy centres on medical causes and supporting at-risk women and children. In 2012, Forbes estimated that Rowling’s charitable giving totaled US$160 million. She has also donated to Britain’s Labour Party, and opposed Scottish independence and Brexit. Since 2017, Rowling has been vocal about her opinions on transgender people and related civil rights. Her comments, described as transphobic by critics and LGBT rights organisations, have divided feminists, fuelled debates on freedom of speech and cancel culture, and prompted declarations of support for transgender people from the culture sector.
II. Reviewer: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
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1. ZOE reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” CHILLS.
(REREAD)
Okay DUH 5/5 stars. I actually liked this book more than I remembered! This used to be my least favorite of the Harry Potter books and, while that still might be true, I was more entertained than I expected! I always forget how different Book Ginny is from Movie Ginny (way better all around) and how she has such a bigger role in the books than the films.
NOW ONTO HP AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN!
2. SASHA ALSBERG reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
JK Rowling really knows how to write a great book, thats for sure! Although this wasn’t my favorite book in the series, it definitely wasn’t because it was bad. I loved the plot and conflict, even though it wasn’t as intense as the others were. I was definitely shocked at the end…so epic and mind blowing!
3. CHELSEA HUMPHREY reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Continuing my reread with the illustrated editions! Gotta get through this one so that my daughter can start it next. <3
*********************
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
What can I say that hasn’t been said before about this series? What words can do this book justice? I’ve felt at a loss on how to explain my feelings for these books as I’ve read them. I didn’t experience them as a child and therefore my experience is clearly different than most others on here, but in some ways I think it’s just as magical to read these for the first time as an adult as it was for everyone who devoured these as they were published in their childhood. I have kids, so I was constantly wondering how my 5 year old will accept these books when she’s a bit older and tried to view the story through her eyes.
The holidays are always a busy, stressful time for us. All of our family is a hefty distance to travel to and, on top of that, we’re moving into our new place this month. All I could think about was how desperately I wanted to escape all of my adult responsibilities for just a bit each day, and this was the perfect book to do so with. No matter your age, the magical world of Hogwarts is truly spectacular; the characters are such that they stay with you even after the final page is turned and the writing takes you back to a place you weren’t sure existed for us old farts anymore. If you have been hiding under a rock for the past 20 years like I have, I highly encourage you pick these books up and get swept away like I did. Time is a precious commodity these days, and you couldn’t spend it in a better way than with these precious kiddos.
4. KHANH reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
I love this book, of course I do, but the fact remains that this book prominently featured two of my most hated Harry Potter characters. Ginny Weasley and Dobby. There, I said it. I hate them both. In my Harry Potter hate list, Ginny and Dobby probably rank somewhere below Umbridge and Peter Pettigrew. Yeah, you heard me. I hate them that much.
The reason I hate Ginny is—well, never mind. I don’t want to start another shipping war here, the last one was terrible enough, so let the reason for my hatred be implicit and unsaid.
Dobby is freaking annoying, yo. All his eagerness and shit – and yeah, I know what happens in the end. Doesn’t matter. I still hate Dobby. Dobby is the equivalent of fingernails on chalkboard for me. If he had been my elf, I’d have given him a sock already so he could his whimpering, sniveling ass out of my life. He means well, I know he does, it’s just that he’s such a frustratingly well-meaning bumbling idiot.
“You know what, Harry? If he doesn’t stop trying to save your life he’s going to kill you.”
Aaaaaaaand one final note.
“Ginny!” said Mr. Weasley, flabbergasted. “Haven’t I taught you anything. What have I always told you? Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain?”
No particular reason I included that, except for the fact that it reminded me of my ex-boyfriend :3
5. JENNIFER reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
These books are a wonderful read time and time again
These books are timeless and ageless. Any one of reading age would thoroughly enjoy the adventures of Harry Potter at Hogwarts. It’s been many years since I have read them and I find myself enjoying them just as much, as a middle aged adult, as I did when I was in middle school.
6. TOMAS RODRIGUEZ reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
One of the better books in the series but an abrupt ending?
I read these books multiple times when I was a child and now in my 30’s have decided to begin reading them all over again. It was good but why did it end so fast? There was no talk when they finally left hogwarts and were boarding the train. It seems like the author rushed the ending and just wanted to be done? Other than that, the story and plot is flawlessly built up to a grand climax, which brings about an intensity and danger to what Harry is having to face. Of of all the books, this and the Prisoner of Azkaban build the plot beautifully so that when you do reach the climax it is very much everything you could hope for.
7. ALEX reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter!!! Ahhh
I read these books when I was little. Now that I have a little one of my own, the magic is back! We have read over 200 (mostly boring) baby books and decided it’s time to jump into chapter books! What a better way to start than the magical world of Harry Potter. JkR is an amazing author and woman. We absolutely love the wizarding world. The only thing I loath is the fact that I am not a witch and never got my acceptance letter to Hogworts 😭🤣
8. STEVEN LUNDERVILLE reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Excellent read
I’m loving the series. I love the good vs evil aspects while easy for me to follow. While I have an extreme fear of snakes I loved the book. My only gripe would be is why is Hermoine always put in dangerous situations. In the Sorcerer’s Stone it was the troll and in this book she was a victim. As I continue the series I will see how her character develops. All and all great read!
9. THARINDU DISSANAYAKE reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
“My late lamented lords, ladies, and gentlemen,”
“The best of us must sometimes eat our words,”
Every time you loved the first book of a series, and then start reading the second – eagerly waiting for the story to continue – there’s always the apprehension, that things might not be as great as the first. Well, Chamber of Secrets will convince you otherwise: everything keeps getting better.
“Have you ever heard of a plan where so many things could go wrong?”
I was glad to find everything I loved about the first book still applicable to the second. It’ll be a bit redundant if all those plus points were to be repeated here, but still, I cannot refrain from mentioning how easy it is to read the story. In no way I’m implying that the narration is plain or just too simple – for it is definitely not the case – but it is just one smooth flow. The story itself is much more detailed than the first one, mainly because setting up of environment and characters were done in the original. Though I didn’t feel so before, in retrospect, the first book now feels like an introduction to the series, and this as the first real adventure.
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
And again, it’s impossible not to start reading the next one immediately.
“Regrowing bones is a nasty business.”
10. WARDA reviews Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
I don’t know who’s worse: Lockhart or Umbridge. 😑
Even though it’s a 5-star read, (because nostalgia trumps logic at times) this is my least favourite in the series.
I prefer the movie adaptation.
Yeah I said it.
III. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Quotes by J.K. Rowling
The best book quotes from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
“Mrs. Weasley was marching across the yard, scattering chickens, and for a short, plump, kind-faced woman, it was remarkable how much she looked like a saber-toothed tiger.”
“There was a very small pile of silver Sickles inside, and just one gold Galleon.”
“And within five minutes, the class had sunk back into its usual torpor.”
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
“Oh well… I’d just been thinking, if you had died, you’d have been welcome to share my toilet.”
“Of all the trees we could’ve hit, we had to get one that hits back.”
“Honestly, if you were any slower, you’d be going backward.”
“Ginny!” said Mr. Weasley, flabbergasted. “Haven’t I taught you anything? What have I always told you? Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain?”
“Well, you’re expelling us aren’t you?” said Ron.
“Not today, Mr. Weasley.”
Snape looked as though Christmas had been canceled.”“I’ll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I’m not there.”
“Harry — I think I’ve just understood something! I’ve got to go to the library!”
And she sprinted away, up the stairs.
“What does she understand?” said Harry distractedly, still looking around, trying to tell where the voice had come from.
“Loads more than I do,” said Ron, shaking his head.
“But why’s she got to go to the library?”
“Because that’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”“When in doubt, go to the library.”
“You will find that I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me.”
“Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won’t they?” said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward the enchanted barrier. “When they hear what you did this year?”
“Proud?” said Harry. “Are you crazy? All those times I could’ve died, and I didn’t manage it? They’ll be furious…”“Hearing voices no one else can hear isn’t a good sign, even in the wizarding world.”
“Lockhart’ll sign anything if it stands still long enough.”
“His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
I wish he was mine, he’s really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord.”“You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.”
“Do I look stupid?” snarled Uncle Vernon, a bit of fried egg dangling from his bushy mustache.”
“If he doesn’t stop trying to save your life he’s going to kill you.”
“Muggles have garden gnomes, too, you know,” Harry told Ron as they crossed the lawn.
“Yeah, I’ve seen those things they think are gnomes,” said Ron, bent double with his head in a peony bush, “like fat little Santa Clauses with fishing rods…”“The three of them fell silent. After a long pause, Hermione voiced the knottiest question of all in a hesitant voice.
“Do you think we should go and ask Hagrid about it all?”
“That’d be a cheerful visit,” said Ron, “ ‘Hello, Hagrid. Tell us, have you been setting anything mad and hairy loose in the castle lately?”“Hang on . . .” Harry muttered to Ron. “There’s an empty chair at the staff table. . . . Where’s Snape?”
“Maybe he’s ill!” said Ron hopefully.
“Maybe he’s left,” said Harry, “because he missed out on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again!”
“Or he might have been sacked!” said Ron enthusiastically. “I mean, everyone hates him —”
“Or maybe,” said a very cold voice right behind them, “he’s waiting to hear why you two didn’t arrive on the school train.”
Harry spun around. There, his black robes rippling in a cold breeze, stood Severus Snape.”“Azkaban – the wizard prison, Goyle.” said Malfoy, looking at him in disbelief. “Honestly, if you were any slower, you’d be going backward.”
“Famous Harry Potter,” said Malfoy. “Can’t even go to a bookshop without making the front page.”
“And I must draft an advertisement for the Daily Prophet, too,’ he added thoughtfully. ‘We’ll be needing a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher…. Dear me, we do seem to run through them, don’t we?”
“Scared?” Malfoy muttered, so that Lockhart couldn’t hear him.
“You wish.” said Harry out of the corner of his mouth.”“Because that’s what Hermione does,’ said Ron, shrugging. ‘When in doubt, go to the library.”
“Oh, Potter, you rotter, oh, what have you done, You’re killing off students, you think it’s good fun — ”
“The poor things keep calling in those – those pumbles, I think they’re called – you know, the ones who mend pipes and things – ”
“Plumbers?”
” – exactly, yes, but of course they’re flummoxed.”“Jealous?…Of what? I don’t want a foul scar right across my head, thanks. I don’t think getting your head cut open makes you that special, myself.”
“Snape was looking as though the first person to ask him for a Love Potion would be force-fed poison.”
“So Dobby stopped us from getting on the train and broke your arm. . . .” He shook his head. “You know what, Harry? If he doesn’t stop trying to save your life he’s going to kill you.”
“Gotta bone ter pick with yeh. I’ve heard you’ve bin givin’ out signed photos. How come I haven’t got one?”
Excerpted from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
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