harry potter and the chamber of secrets short book review

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling – review

‘I enjoyed this book because it is packed with action, fantasy and creativity’

Harry Potter is about to start his second year at Hogwarts. Harry expects it to be a normal year after his experiences the term before but a secret chamber opens, muggle-born students are attacked and Harry must put his life in danger once more.

The three main characters in the story are Harry Potter – a young wizard who finds out he can speak Parselmouth (talk to snakes) and is mistaken for the heir of Slytherin; Ron Weasley – Harry’s best friend who steals his Father’s flying car to fly himself and Harry to Hogwarts; and Hermione Granger – Harry’s other best friend who is the smartest student in their year at school but who is petrified when the attacks start. The new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher is Gilderoy Lockhart who is a self-obsessed lunatic of a teacher.

I enjoyed this book because it is packed with action, fantasy and creativity. My favourite part is when Harry is pulled into Riddle’s diary and is made to witness the expulsion of his friend Hagrid when he was at Hogwarts 50 years before.

There are not many people who haven’t read this series but I would recommend this to anyone who loves fantastical stories and it is definitely worth 5 stars.

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HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

From the harry potter series , vol. 2.

by J.K. Rowling ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 2, 1999

Readers will be irresistibly drawn into Harry's world by GrandPre's comic illustrations and Rowling's expert combination of...

This sequel to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1998) brings back the doughty young wizard-in-training to face suspicious adults, hostile classmates, fretful ghosts, rambunctious spells, giant spiders, and even an avatar of Lord Voldemort, the evil sorcerer who killed his parents, while saving the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from a deadly, mysterious menace.

Ignoring a most peculiar warning, Harry kicks off his second year at Hogwarts after a dreadful summer with his hateful guardians, the Dursleys, and is instantly cast into a whirlwind of magical pranks and misadventures, culminating in a visit to the hidden cavern where his friend Ron's little sister Ginny lies, barely alive, in a trap set by his worst enemy. Surrounded by a grand mix of wise and inept faculty, sneering or loyal peers—plus an array of supernatural creatures including Nearly Headless Nick and a huge, serpentine basilisk—Harry steadily rises to every challenge, and though he plays but one match of the gloriously chaotic field game Quidditch, he does get in plenty of magic and a bit of swordplay on his way to becoming a hero again.

Pub Date: June 2, 1999

ISBN: 0-439-06486-4

Page Count: 341

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1999

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

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THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 1.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2013

Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Chainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.

Every four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Gradually—too gradually, as the author strings out hundreds of pages of Hogwarts-style pranks, classroom mishaps and competitions both academic and romantic—it becomes clear that the placement wasn’t a mistake at all. Growing into their true natures amid revelations and marked physical changes, the two spark escalating rivalry between the wings of the school. This leads up to a vicious climactic fight that sees Good and Evil repeatedly switching sides. At this point, readers are likely to feel suddenly left behind, as, thanks to summary deus ex machina resolutions, everything turns out swell(ish).

Pub Date: May 14, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-06-210489-2

Page Count: 496

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

More by Soman Chainani

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by RaidesArt

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Julia Iredale

Netflix Drops ‘School for Good and Evil’ Trailer

THE LAST EVER AFTER

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 3.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2015

Ultimately more than a little full of itself, but well-stocked with big themes, inventively spun fairy-tale tropes, and...

Good has won every fairy-tale contest with Evil for centuries, but a dark sorcerer’s scheme to turn the tables comes to fruition in this ponderous closer.

Broadening conflict swirls around frenemies Agatha and Sophie as the latter joins rejuvenated School Master Rafal, who has dispatched an army of villains from Capt. Hook to various evil stepmothers to take stabs (literally) at changing the ends of their stories. Meanwhile, amid a general slaughter of dwarves and billy goats, Agatha and her rigid but educable true love, Tedros, flee for protection to the League of Thirteen. This turns out to be a company of geriatric versions of characters, from Hansel and Gretel (in wheelchairs) to fat and shrewish Cinderella, led by an enigmatic Merlin. As the tale moves slowly toward climactic battles and choices, Chainani further lightens the load by stuffing it with memes ranging from a magic ring that must be destroyed and a “maleficent” gown for Sophie to this oddly familiar line: “Of all the tales in all the kingdoms in all the Woods, you had to walk into mine.” Rafal’s plan turns out to be an attempt to prove that love can be twisted into an instrument of Evil. Though the proposition eventually founders on the twin rocks of true friendship and family ties, talk of “balance” in the aftermath at least promises to give Evil a fighting chance in future fairy tales. Bruno’s polished vignettes at each chapter’s head and elsewhere add sophisticated visual notes.

Pub Date: July 21, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-06-210495-3

Page Count: 672

Review Posted Online: June 25, 2015

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Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

harry potter and the chamber of secrets short book review

The book in two sentences: Harry is excited to start his second year at Hogwarts, but a mysterious, half-forgotten monster begins to terrorize the school. Harry, Ron, and Hermione attempt to stop it before Hogwarts is shut down for good.

Rating : Island collection

Long story long : I realized after publishing my Sorcerer’s Stone review that that was less of a review and more of me just feeling good about re-entering the magical world (which is totally valid and I don’t feel bad about it at all). I could have talked about more literary things (like all the foreshadowing, character development, etc) but it felt nice to “turn off” the part of my brain that likes to analyze everything ( everything ) and let myself get swept up in the magic.

Chamber of Secrets , on the other hand, is a great place to start thinking more critically about the story: we’ve had a solid introduction to the wizarding world, gotten to know some of its characters, and we can now focus on the actual storytelling.

Similar to Sorcerer’s Stone , Chamber of Secrets is inward-facing, having more to do with Hogwarts than the rest of the wizarding world. Like all books in the series, it gives Harry more insight into Voldemort’s identity and ethos. If the first book serves as an introduction to Voldemort, the second is where we start to see the real implications of his return. A memory of him is powerful enough to manipulate a student into petrifying her classmates…just imagine what Voldemort at the height of his powers could do.

The legend of Salazar Slytherin’s monster adds another layer of danger to Harry’s escapades. I like that the stakes are higher, that there are more serious consequences than detention or expulsion (even Hermione would agree with me here). In general, Rowling treats her young characters like adults, one of the reasons I enjoyed this series so much as a kid. To that end, Chamber of Secrets doesn’t shy away from the very real possibility that most people–including young students at Hogwarts– will die if Voldemort comes back to power. After each successive basilisk attack, Rowling describes the escalating fear among students and staff alike: curfews are set, teachers chaperone students to and from classes, and everybody travels in groups. The terror is very palpable.

On a related note, Rowling does an exceptional job building up the mystery in her stories. The characters stumble across relevant information throughout the book (unknowingly at times), and these “clues” are cleverly set up to implicate more than one person at a time. In Sorcerer’s Stone , Harry and his friends think the clues point to Snape, when in fact Quirrell is the villain. In Chamber of Secrets , Malfoy is the original suspect, but the Heir of Slytherin turns out to be Ginny acting through Tom Riddle.

Many things make sense in hindsight, but the cool thing is, they were always there . For example, in Sorcerer’s Stone , Rowling tells us about Nicolas Flamel’s contribution to the wizarding world and we know Quirrell was at the Leaky Cauldron the day Gringotts was robbed. In Chamber of Secrets , we see that Lucius Malfoy was carrying an old book at Flourish and Blotts, and during his altercation with Mr. Weasley could likely have slipped it in Ginny’s cauldron. Oftentimes the plot hinges on details that seem superfluous or unimportant in the moment, which helps build intrigue in a subtle way. My one concern here is that this formula may become too repetitive and predictable over time, though if my memory serves me right, Rowling doesn’t rely on it as much in her subsequent books. Time will tell…

My other criticism of Chamber of Secrets , and of Sorcerer’s Stone as well, is that the finale or climax ends too abruptly. In both books, Harry confronts Quirrell/Riddle/Voldemort in the penultimate chapter, and while there is a “wind-down” period, both endings feel too rushed to give a complete sense of closure. This made me reflect on the difference between story and plot*: a story is about a journey (literal or figurative) from one place to another, while a plot is the sequence of events that make up a story. In Chamber of Secrets , the climax of the plot occurs when Harry destroys Riddle’s diary, but the climax of the story happens after Harry’s conversation with Dumbledore, where he admits that the Sorting Hat almost put him in Slytherin. When Dumbledore tells Harry that he belongs in Gryffindor precisely because he made a choice not to be in Slytherin, Harry is finally at ease. This marks the end of Harry’s character arc and the end of the story, which I wish could have been longer.

Moving on, I just finished reading Prizoner of Azkaban and will be writing my review of it shortly. As always, feel free to share your thoughts about the series in the comments section below!

*If you want to dig into this more, I highly recommend watching “What Writers Should Learn From The Lord of the Rings” by Just Write on YouTube. He does an excellent job highlighting the difference between plot and story in LOTR and why that distinction is important.

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Book Review

Harry potter and the chamber of secrets.

J.K. Rowling
Adventure , Fantasy

Readability Age Range

Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

Year Published

After a particularly horrible summer at home with the Dursleys, Harry can’t wait to return to Hogwarts for his second year. Banished to his bedroom, Harry receives a visit from an elf named Dobby, who warns him that he must not return to the school, for great danger awaits him there. Finally, he is rescued from his bedroom prison by Ron and his brothers in their flying car. Despite Dobby’s warnings, Harry returns to Hogwarts and stumbles right into the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets.

On Halloween night, Harry, Ron and Hermione find a message painted on a wall that reads, “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware.” They soon discover that the Chamber of Secrets contains a deadly monster, that it hasn’t been opened for 50 years, and that the last time it was opened, someone died. “The heir” in the message refers to a descendant of one of the school’s four founders, Salazar Slytherin, who had an affinity for the dark side of magic.

Apparently, only Slytherin’s heir would be able to open this Chamber of Secrets and use the monster within to cleanse the school from all “Muggle-borns” and “halfbloods” whom he felt were unworthy to study magic. Suddenly, students who don’t come from “pureblood” wizarding families begin turning up petrified. Harry and his friends must solve the mystery before the monster goes beyond petrifaction and kills again.

At the end of this story Harry again meets and defeats Voldemort, who has found another body to inhabit, and another life to feed off. Again, Harry defeats the evil one, but questions linger in the air, and the reader must assume that Harry still hasn’t seen the last of his enemy.

Positive Elements

1) denunciation of pride..

New professor Gilderoy Lockhart is unbearably vain and perpetually concerned with image and publicity. Because it is Harry and Ron—not Lockhart—who defeat the monster in the Chamber, he is uncovered for a pompous fool. The message is clear that actions speak louder than words and that self-aggrandizement is a hollow joy.

2) Justice.

One mystery left unsolved in Book I is finally unraveled—why was Hagrid expelled from Hogwarts? Justice is finally served when Harry, Ron and Hermione prove that Hagrid was framed by the student who would later become Lord Voldemort.

3) Respect.

Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore are portrayed as adults very worthy of respect—Harry always wants to please them, and he is repeatedly rewarded for the good choices he makes under their advisement.

4) Loyalty.

Harry and Ron defend Hagrid and see his name returned to its deserved good repute, because he is their friend and they believe in him. Also, Harry’s loyalty to good professor Dumbledore is what summons help to him in his battle in the Chamber.

5) Courage.

Harry’s selfless bravery is what allows him to save Ginny’s life and defeat the monster, even at a risk to his own life.

6) The power of truth and love.

When he meets Voldemort and the monster in the Chamber, Harry repeatedly speaks what he knows to be true, even though he doesn’t understand how it will help. The truth helps to disarm Voldemort. Also, Harry again appeals to the sacrificial love of his mother, who died to save him. This love is something the enemy can neither understand nor overcome.

Disobedience and Lying

Harry repeatedly lies to avoid answering difficult or annoying questions or to avoid explaining his actions. And, as in Book I, it is through breaking rules that the heroes solve the mystery and defeat the enemy: “‘There might be a way [to find out who is the Heir of Slytherin],’ said Hermione slowly, dropping her voice still further with a quick glance across the room at Percy, ‘Of course, it would be difficult. And dangerous, very dangerous. We’d be breaking about fifty school rules, I expect.'”

But, in contrast with the punishment and apparent repentance in Book I, Harry and his friends are ultimately rewarded, not punished, for their rule breaking in Book II: “‘I seem to remember telling you both that I would have to expel you if you broke any more school rules,’ said Dumbledore [the Headmaster]. … ‘Which just goes to show that the best of us must sometimes eat our words.'”

Harry’s Family

Harry’s awful adoptive family (“It’s not possible to live with the Dursleys and not hate them”) is again compared with the love of the surrogate family he’s found through his Hogwarts friends (“What Harry found most unusual about life at Ron’s, however, wasn’t the talking mirror or the clanging ghoul: It was the fact that everyone there seemed to like him.”)

Ron shows selfless devotion to his own family when his sister Ginny’s life is in danger: “‘I’m going down there [into the Chamber of Secrets],’ he said. He couldn’t not go, now that they had found the entrance to the Chamber, not even if there was the faintest, slimmest, wildest chance that Ginny might be alive.”

Bathroom Humor

For some reason, author J.K. Rowling chooses to make the scene of the mystery’s unraveling a bathroom. So you have a ghost that hides in a toilet and repeated (though, admittedly, not vulgar) references to bathroom things: “I don’t want to talk to Moaning Myrtle. … She haunts one of the toilets in the girls’ bathroom on the first floor. … It’s been out of order all year because she keeps having tantrums and flooding the place. I never went in there anyway if I could avoid it; it’s awful trying to have a pee with her wailing at you.”

Violent Content

The monster in the Chamber of Secrets speaks to Harry through the castle’s walls, saying, “Come … come to me. … Let me rip you. … Let me tear you. … Let me kill you.”

The resident dormitory ghost Nearly Headless Nick complains about the way he was killed (since the murderer didn’t succeed in completely decapitating him, he has been disqualified from participating in the Headless Hunt): “‘… you would think, wouldn’t you,’ he erupted suddenly … ‘that getting hit forty-five times in the neck with a blunt axe would qualify you to join the Headless Hunt?'”

Moaning Myrtle, though already dead, tries to kill herself again. When Harry defeats the monster in the Chamber, the scene is bloody: “A sudden shower of dark blood spattered the floor. The snake’s tail thrashed, narrowly missing Harry, and before Harry could shut his eyes, it turned—Harry looked straight into its face and saw that its eyes, both its great, bulbous yellow eyes, had been punctured … blood was streaming to the floor, and the snake was spitting in agony.”

Spiritual Elements

As in Book I, magic is employed extensively as a tool, an art, a diversion and a weapon. “Bless them, [Muggles, or nonmagical people] will go to any lengths to ignore magic, even if it’s staring them in the face.”

“Harry stared around. He had emerged into a dingy alleyway that seemed to be made up entirely of shops devoted to the Dark Arts. … Opposite was a nasty window display of shrunken heads and, two doors down, a large cage was alive with gigantic black spiders.” The Dark Arts are again portrayed as frightening, dark and an evil that Harry and his friends must fight against.

Harry also finds out that he’s a parselmouth, or someone who can talk to snakes. At first he is frightened because the ability to speak in this tongue has generally been granted only to Dark wizards, but eventually it becomes clear that Harry will be able to use his parseltongue for good—to defeat the monster in the Chamber of Secrets.

For many children, curiosity about things such as “parselmouths,” “shrunken heads” and “Moaning Myrtles” cannot be met in a healthy manner. And they can become enamored with what Star Wars calls “The Dark Side” and Rowling calls “The Dark Arts.” A Christian parent’s responsibility, then, is to direct children away from witchcraft and worldly wisdom, and toward the proper source of truth—the Bible.

Plot Summary

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Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets book cover

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

The second novel in the Harry Potter series is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling. Harry is in his second year of Hogwarts and his second year goes even worse then his first year. Keep reading to see the epic adventures that follow Harry as he returns to Hogwarts.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Summary

School is a month away and Harry Potter is staying with his aunt and uncle who despise him and make his life as miserable as they can. Things are boring and calm until Dobby, an elf, appears in Harry’s bedroom. Dobby warns Harry not to return to Hogwarts as there is someone there plotting to kill him. Even though Harry believes Dobby, there is no way he won’t return to the only place where he is happy. Dobby tries to prevent Harry from returning and will do anything in his powers to just that.

Harry, Ron, and Hermoine return to Hogwarts and soon after, a message on the wall appears that says the Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The trio try to learn more about the Chamber of Secrets and what it has to do with Harry. Students are attacked and Harry and the group suspect Malfoy of being the one behind the attacks.

The trio attend classes and during their free time, try to figure out the culprit. But the attacks hit close to home for the group and the teachers become paranoid. Now, it is up to Harry to defeat the evil creature lurking in Hogwarts.

I enjoyed this book a lot and when I finished reading it, changed my original four star rating to a five star . The book has a good pace, throws a lot yet balances it all out, and creates a mystery that you as the reader can solve. The novel is targeted towards a younger audience and that is evident throughout the book.

There are some flaws in this novel such as why Lord Voldemort’s previous life isn’t common knowledge, why Hagrid went to jail for doing absolutely nothing, and why Dumbledore was banished easily. Maybe you shouldn’t let the guy who worked for Voldemort be a board member.

Yes, yes, I know, that was needed for the plot. Rowling has a lot of the plot thought out which is why those things seem like an easy way out. Besides my small complaints, I enjoyed the character development from the various characters. I will say Hogwarts has a lot of secrets for a school that is about a thousand years old.

Lastly, reading these novels makes you realize your luck is never going to be as bad as Harry’s. If it isn’t Lord Voldemort trying to kill him, it is usually a professor making his life hell. Or other students. Or even ghosts. And in this novel, a ghost from 50 years ago. Did I forget to mention snakes ? And this is only book two and we all know it doesn’t get any better from here.

Book two stands the test of time and was a fun read. It was short and the school term flew by but I was still turning the pages as the mystery of who opened the chambers takes another turn. Tune in for the next review in the upcoming days!

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I highly recommend reading The Worst Witch books too. They have a very similar concept, but remain as short, heartwarming children’s stories. Not the greatest books ever, but they’re a must read for any Harry Potter fan, as they’re also an important part of English pop culture and helped pave the road for stories about boarding schools of magic.

It was a great book

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

It is the second book in J.K Rowling's fantastic book series Harry Potter. 12 year old Harry has just come back from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to spend a dreadful summer at Number 4 Privit Drive. Little does he know his summer is about to get worse. Uncle Vernon is expecting to get one of the best deals of his life during a visit from the Masons. Unfortunately it doesn't go as planned when a house elf shows up in Harrys bedroom with an ominous message. The elf proceeds to try to get Harry expelled from Hogwarts by dropping a pudding on Mrs. Masons head. Uncle Vernon puts bars on Harrys window to stop him form getting out. Harry is in despair when the Ron (his best friend), Fred, and George(Ron's twin brothers) Weasley save him from the clutches of his aunt an uncle and he spend the restof the summer with them.

Harry is back at Hogwarts after an eventful journey. He's ready to start a new peaceful year at Hogwarts. That doesn't go to plan when he starts hearing a mysterious voice in the school corridors. Harry, Ron, and Hermione partake on a amazing and thrilling journey to uncover who is petrifying the students. This book is absolutely amazing and is worth reading. It has magic, mystery, and loads of adventure.

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500 Words or Less Reviews: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
500WoL Reviews: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, or Don’t Be A Dursley, or a Review for Literary Snobs
500 Words or Less Reviews: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
500 Words or Less Reviews: Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
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500 Words or Less Reviews: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
500 + 63 Words or Less Reviews: The Deathly Hallows

After finishing The Sorcerer’s Stone I felt at loose ends, lost, eternally adrift…Not really, but I did greatly desire to continue the Potter story ASAP. And so, after borrowing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets from my niece, I plunged into its magical depths. While possibly not quiiiiite as good to me as SS, CoS didn’t disappoint. It introduces us to more fascinating characters, creatures, and a brand-new plot.

As far as the characters, the ghosts stole the show. There’s Nearly Headless Nick all downcast after not qualifying for the Headless Hunt because he’s not technically headless (only nearly headless); Moaning Myrtle who haunts a girl’s bathroom and plays a key role in the primary plot; the always hilariously obnoxious and mischievous, Peeves the Poltegiest; and Cuthbert Binns, the ultra-boring ghost teacher of History of Magic who apparently has never realized he was dead. Every stinking time these ghosts enter the story in whatever guise brings more life to the story than any of the living characters.

This is not at all saying that the living characters in CoS are bad. Nor is this downplaying any of the other many superb aspects of this second triumph in the Harry Potter series. But it is also not saying that it’s a perfect book. I’m not referring to the heavy revisiting of the plot of SS in the early chapters of CoS. I understand how this was necessary since at the time of the first release of CoS it had been about a year since the release of the first one. Although I do wish Rowling had done more summarizing, her taking the time to rehash was tolerable because of the excellent original plot and writing surrounding it.

No, that rehashing is not why the book is imperfect. The imperfection is in the dialogue. By pointing out that CoS has an imperfection, I’m not saying this makes it remotely an inferior work. While this flaw is there, it is barely noticeable. The dialogue is mostly very fluid but tended to get stilted as though at these points Rowling was tired and just trying to fulfill her quota for the day so she could go to bed. Although these areas don’t take up a lot of space (usually anywhere from a paragraph to half a page), these areas came across as lifeless to me. But like I said, barely noticeable.

And there were most of the same adult logic problems that I referred to in my SS review. Don’t get me started on the completely arbitrary point system in which any biased teacher or prefect can add or subtract points on a whim. Despite these minor logic annoyances, despite the periodic mini-wastelands, Rowling has successfully created another children’s classic. And it is a children’s classic. Remember that. Friends who are familiar with the books say they will become heavier, more adult. I look forward to this, but in the meantime, I am fully enjoying and appreciating extremely well-written children’s work.

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Ben Plunkett

Greetings from the booming metropolis that is Pleasant View, Tennessee. I am a man of constant spiritual highs and spiritual lows. I pray that I serve God at my highest even when I am lowest.

5 thoughts on “ 500 Words or Less Reviews: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ”

Good review Ben. I think I might be in the minority of Harry Potter fans in that I don’t really find the ghosts to be that entertaining. Not sure why, but I’ve never really liked them that much. But as I said, I think most HP fans do like them a lot.

I think they add oodles of color. I can’t speak for the later books since I haven’t read them yet, but I think a lot of what is great about this second book in would be lost without it.

Ben Plunkett is one smart guy, as are all his REO compadres.

Thanks, Mr. Lytle.

The ghosts to me are not at the top of the fascinating beings but they are so crucial to so many plots and do add enough color (especially Moaning Myrtle and Peeves) that I am thrilled she added them. It’s crazy how many different kinds of beings she worked into the layers of the stories.

Spoiler Disclaimer

As Harry Potter is anxiously awaiting his summer to be over, so he can return for his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he receives a visit from a mysterious little house-elf named Dobby. Dobby is adamant that Harry's life is in danger and he must not return to Hogwarts. Since Hogwarts is the only place Harry has ever felt truly at home, he is equally adamant that he must go back. Upon his return though, many mystifying things begin to happen. Harry can hear a disembodied voice that no one else can, Muggle-born students are turning up petrified, and a cryptic message saying that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened appears on a wall. Not to mention, it seems that someone may be out to kill Harry too. Then a strange old diary appears, drawing Harry even deeper into the mystery of the Chamber. Harry, Ron and Hermione will be taken on a hair-raising, roller-coaster ride of adventure, danger and intrigue, as they try to figure out who opened the Chamber of Secrets and how, why students are being attacked, and who the heir of Slytherin really is.

This was my second reading of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , and while I normally allow more time to pass between re-reads of favorite books, it was still a fun story. I also had recently re-watched the movie version which made it even fresher in my mind, but I discovered that by watching the movie first and then reading the book, I got a fascinating look inside the mind of a screen-writer. While I had always liked the Harry Potter movies I've seen so far, I didn't like them nearly as well as the books. By doing things this way, I gained a whole new appreciation for the movies, and for how difficult it must be for a writer to translate a book to the screen. I know this is a bit of a caveat from my book review, but I thought it worth mentioning for those who are critics of the movies like I have been in the past. Now on to my thoughts about the book.

As always, I absolutely love the characters and how complex and well-written they are. I'm not sure that there could be three better and closer friends that Harry, Ron, and Hermione. In my opinion, they epitomize the true meaning of friendship. I only previously made it through book #3 of the series, but I have a suspicion that Ron and Hermione may someday become more than friends. I noticed throughout this book that Ron has a tendency to frequently be Hermione's defender, but J. K. Rowling has a way of presenting it in a very subtle way. I can't help but like the Weasley family. The author has taken care to give each one their own individual personality, but all are completely lovable in their own way. Also they may not be wealthy, but they're never lacking in warmth and generosity. Additionally, I find Arthur Weasley's fascination with all things Muggle to be charming and funny. Professor Dumbledore, with his gentle, knowing ways, continues to be one of my favorite characters from the series. Dobby, the house-elf, was a new addition in this book, and I found him to be rather cute. What I really liked about him was that his heart was always in the right place even if his methods were somewhat questionable. Two other new characters in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets who I found to be extremely interesting were Professor Lockhart and Colin Creevy. Both seem to be satirical representations of the madness of fame. Colin didn't play a huge part, but he did make an impression on me in that he is symbolic of the stereotypical crazed fan or paparazzi who just can't seem to leave Harry alone. Gilderoy Lockhart is a character I loved to hate right from the beginning. He is someone who has let fame go to his head in a completely different way. Lockhart is a puffed-up peacock of a celebrity, who in reality, is completely incompetent, but still has lots of people, particularly females, completely snowed by his vacuous charm. I loved how Harry and Ron saw through Lockhart right from the start, and I thought he ended up getting a very just punishment for his conceit.

Aside from the wonderful characters, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets had some great scenes that were a lot of fun to read. Harry and Ron's enchanted car ride to Hogwarts was hilarious especially when they fell on the Whomping Willow. There was an incredibly funny part from the wizard's duel which had me laughing out loud but that sadly never made it into the movie. I thought it was rather amusing having Hermione being the one talking Harry and Ron into breaking school rules to find out who opened the Chamber of Secrets. Harry's mercifulness to Dobby was very touching too. I also loved the quote from Dumbledore: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." which I found to be as enlightened as any great philosopher. Of course, these are just the little things about the story which caught my attention and doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all the wonderful action, adventure and heroism that is such an inherent part of this series. In addition, I can say that the Harry Potter books always leave me with a deep sense of contentment at the end. It is very rare when I cannot quite figure out the why of things. Perhaps it is the emotional nature of the final scenes or perhaps it is the relief and satisfaction that evil has once again been defeated (at least for now), but whatever it is, I always seem to wind up teary-eyed when I finish them.

There are so many more things that I'm anxiously waiting to find out as I continue reading the series. I love how Dumbledore always seems to know exactly what's going on, and it makes me wonder if he truly is the greatest wizard in the world. I'm dying to know why Hogwarts runs through so many Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. I also wonder at all the similarities between Harry and Voldemort. At least one of the similarities was explained by Dumbledore, and perhaps these two are simply meant to be the yin and yang of the wizarding world, but I have a feeling that it is quite possibly something more profound. All in all, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was another fabulous addition to the series, and I am eagerly looking forward to continuing it to find out the answers to these and many other questions.

J. K. Rowling

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We always endeavor not to give away endings or major plot twists in either our synopses or reviews, however they may occasionally contain information which some readers might consider to be mild spoilers.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling (Harry Potter: Book 2)

J.K. Rowling’s series began with the Philosopher’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets continues the adventures of the young wizard Harry and his friends at Hogwarts.

The Chamber of Secrets begins, as did the Philosopher’s Stone, with Harry once again at home with the dreadful Dursleys. The Dursleys are, to put it mildly, unpleasant and the arrival of the house elf Dobby sets in motion a chain of events that ends with Harry, thanks in no small part to a flying car, happily back at Hogwarts. There are mysterious happenings at Hogwarts and Harry, assisted by his staunch friends Hermoine and Ron set about discovering the truth to the Chamber of Secrets and look for clues to help them understand the attacks on the children at the school.

All the ingredients that made The Philosopher’s Stone a much-loved success are once again here in abundance. This is a rich fantasy tale, fuelled by J.K. Rowling’s vivid imagination and full to the spine with magic, spells, companionship and humour. The humour, in particular, is once again rich in the narrative, a humour that will make both children and adults laugh at loud. Gilderoy Lockhart is a superb character that steals the spotlight from Harry and his friends on more than one occasion.

Cynics may say that the success of the first Harry Potter book made this success of The Chamber of Secrets inevitable. That would, however, be extremely unfair as this is a fine book in its own rights and deserves to be praised every bit as highly as the original. The Harry Potter series is a must read for all children as they are best enjoyed when the imagination is undimmed by age.

The Harry Potter series cannot lay claim to being the most original as J.K. Rowling has drawn on many influences within their construction. The lovely thing is that she pays homage to these influences in her own style and this has made her stories compellingly unique. The ability to completely immerse the reader in a fictional world and make it seem so real is her strongest card and her strong characterisation further enhances this. This is a much darker and adult themed book than its predecessor and this again is well played as the books mature along with Harry Potter.

A delightful fantasy story full of magic, mystery and laughter.

9/10 A delightful fantasy story full of magic, mystery and laughter.

Buy on Amazon

Review by Amanda White

11 positive reader review(s) for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

362 positive reader review(s) in total for the Harry Potter series

JK Rowling biography

Shreya from India

I enjoyed this book. It was packed with action, fantasy, adventure. My favourite part was Harry going into Riddle's diary... this book made me go into Harry Potter's world. It helped me in my book review.

Someone from Somewhere

Interesting, great twist, great mystery, a few awkward and questionable scenes, but all in all good, but not as good as the others, yet still better than Philosopher’s Stone.

Dick Smith from Ameria

Itthink this is a great book.

AC from USA

it was good

Anjitha from India

I really loved Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The snake language, Parseltoungue fascinated me a lot. The Polyjuice potion was just amazing. I enjoyed the part when Harry communicated with Tom Riddle and went 50 years back in time through riddle's diary. I recommend this book to all.

Katie from Chippemham

Dhanin from India

This deserves more than 100 star rating.

Thasindu from Australia

One word: Amazing.

Amara from Australia

Wow! This book is absolutely wonderful! I loved every part of the book infact i am doing a book review on this book tomorrow to my class. Thanks JK Rowling!

K from India

Deven from US

I love this book and it is an excellent book and I recommend it to children as well as adults. I also liked the part of the Polyjuice potion and when at last, Harry Potter fights with the dragon.

Simon from Canada

Wow! It was amazing, there was a thrill throught the book. My favrourite part was the end.

Laura from England

Wow! I love this book, there aren't any boring parts. My faveriot bit is when they take the polyjuice potion :) The books are so unique. I love them :D

9.4 /10 from 14 reviews

All JK Rowling Reviews

Harry Potter (Harry Potter)
The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Harry Potter Companion)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Harry Potter Companion)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter: Book 1)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter: Book 2)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter: Book 3)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter: Book 4)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter: Book 5)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter: Book 6)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter: Book 7)

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Throughout the summer holidays after his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter has been receiving sinister warnings from a house-elf called Dobby.

Now, back at school to start his second year, Harry hears unintelligible whispers echoing through the corridors.

Before long the attacks begin: students are found as if turned to stone.

Dobby’s predictions seem to be coming true.

Publishers: UK Print – Bloomsbury US Print – Scholastic eBook – Pottermore Digital Audiobook – Pottermore UK Illustrated – Bloomsbury US Illustrated – Scholastic UK MinaLima edition – Bloomsbury US MinaLima edition – Scholastic

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets...

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2

In this sequel to HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, we find Harry spending the summer vacation with his awful relatives, the Dursleys, following his first year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Dursleys are so fearful of Harry's growing magic talents that they lock his school books and wand away in a closet and even lock Harry in his tiny bedroom. Harry worries he'll never get back to Hogwarts and his friends, until he's rescued by his best buddy, Ron Weasley, who arrives in a flying car to take Harry away.

The second year at Hogwarts should be smoother sailing, right? Not so. First, Harry receives a strange warning from a house elf named Dobby. Then, when he arrives at Hogwarts Harry must face a vain new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and his old enemies, Malfoy and Snape. And, even more troublesome this year, some evil force is turning Muggle-born students (those born to humans, without magical blood, including Harry's pal Hermione) to stone. Who could be doing such a thing?

While Harry and Ron try to unravel the mystery of petrification, they discover information about the Chamber of Secrets, a hidden room in Hogwarts that is rumored to be home to a horrible monster. Old legends, clues, and research eventually lead Harry and Ron to the Chamber of Secrets for a showdown with evil like they've never seen before. And Harry must triumph over the Dark forces in order to save Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister (now a first year at Hogwarts), who has been taken over by a nasty wizard. See if he succeeds in this rollicking, spine-tingling adventure. You're sure to love all the fast-moving action, magic and fun in every chapter.

Reviewed by Shannon Maughan on August 15, 2000

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2 by J. K. Rowling

Publication Date: June 26, 2018
Genres: Fantasy
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
ISBN-10: 1338299158
ISBN-13: 9781338299151

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Book Review

A sleeping evil awakens under the castle of Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second installment to the Harry Potter series. A sequel that gives what we were looking for an solidifies a desire to read the entire series. Let’s dive in and see what this chapter of the series is all about. I will do my best not to spoil anything major for this book.

Introduction

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was released in June 1999. This book is slightly longer than the previous entry clocking in at 341 pages that are shared between eighteen chapters. J.K. Rowling takes us into another mystery for Harry, Ron and Hermione to solve involving the heir of house Slythrine.

This book starts with Harry back at Privet Drive. He has been writing to his friends but has not been receiving letters back. This has really isolated him. Now that he has experienced the wizarding world, he wants nothing more than to return to it. However a house elf named Dobby appears and tells him not to go back to the school and that something really bad will happen there this year. Harry finds out that Dobby has been holding back his letters and chases him. This causes him to interrupt the dinner party his aunt and uncle are having when Dobby uses a hover charm to float a cake over one of the guests head and drop it.

This leads Harry to get in trouble and he gets locked into his room. Eventually Ron Weasly and his two brothers Fred and George come to rescue him and take Harry to their home. This leads to the return to the magic setting that the Diagon Alley chapters of the previous novel had, but this time, in a more homey situation which is very refreshing. It also allows us to learn more from several new characters that were not touched on very much aside from names in the previous book.

That is one of the biggest strengths of this book. It builds very well off the previous book with very little recap needed. The initial shock on a magical world is gone. Now, it’s time to expand on it and really begin to grow the wizarding world. The section in Diagon alley for this book tacks on the idea more heavily of celebrities in the wizarding world with Gildoroy Lockheart. An author who has achieved many fantastic tasks. We also see the view of another section of the wizarding world for the first time. This is the darker side, the evil side if you will. It introduces some more of Malfoy’s family and also shows how the wizarding world also has political divides.

The return to Hogwarts is handled differently than the past book as well. It’s all these small changes that I believe really make this book feel new and expand on the world with several different ideas.

This book noticeably does less school lessons with more time devoted to moving the plot of the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets. Harry Potter gets himself in trouble being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This spirals downward and leads to detention and eventually isolation with the whole school no longer trusting him. In a way this is a book that shows school bullying at their second year. The derogatory term “Mud Blood” is uttered by Malfoy to Hermione and we get once again a better sense of the bullying and political differences of families in the wizarding world.

We the readers get to learn some new spells along the way in this book as well as take a deeper dive into the class of potion making in a sense. A whole several chapters are spent in the development and use of the Polyjuice potion. A potion that will have major consequences on the rest of the series. best to learn it young!

There is plenty of comical relief in this book even through it feels rather bleak at times. Everything from Ron’s wand breaking to the Gilderoy Lockhear shenanigans that happen throughout the year after he gets the Defence Against the Dark Arts job. There is even a Valentines bit in this book that I feel is very well placed in the series for character romance. This is treated only as a crush a not a full blown relationship between 12 year olds that would feel very cringy at best.

The conclusion of this book feels much more epic than the previous book. There are some tropes that can be pulled from the fantasy genre here but at the end of the day, the end of the book pays off nearly all the established questions and leaves me asking for more after a satisfying battle that I am trying not to spoil my review.

Overall the character development is great, every character seems to grow and we learn more about them throughout the book. This is effective for more than just the main characters but the supporting characters as well which really makes this world feel very lived in deep.

The Chamber of Secrets does it’s best and good effort of living up to the first installment of the series. It grows the wizarding world and gives us the reader to be more invested in characters that are not the three main leads. We also get a good idea for where the series is planning on heading in the future as Voldemort is still a major threat to the world. This book meets the goals that J.K Rowling set out to achieve. It does not manage to reach the first books level in my honest opinion but is a successful sequel nonetheless. This book is still a fantastic read and worth everyone’s time. There are major setups in this book for future books to come so it’s a very important book as well that cannot be skipped.

If you want to find out where this book ranks in the series you can check out our ranking list for the Harry Potter book series here !

If you want to pick up a copy of this book, you can use our affiliate link below. It helps out the site and allows us to bring more reviews like this one to you in the future. Up next we have the third installment “The Prisoner of Askaban.” I cannot wait to get into this book with everyone.

What are your thoughts on the Chamber of Secrets book? Was it better than the first book and how does it compare to other entries in the series? Comment below and let us know!

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Movie Reviews

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The first movie was the setup, and this one is the payoff. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" leaves all of the explanations of wizardry behind and plunges quickly into an adventure that's darker and scarier than anything in the first Harry Potter movie. It's also richer: The second in a planned series of seven Potter films is brimming with invention and new ideas, and its Hogwarts School seems to expand and deepen before our very eyes into a world large enough to conceal unguessable secrets.

What's developing here, it's clear, is one of the most important franchises in movie history, a series of films that consolidate all of the advances in computer-aided animation, linked to the extraordinary creative work of J.K. Rowling, who has created a mythological world as grand as "Star Wars," but filled with more wit and humanity. Although the young wizard Harry Potter is nominally the hero, the film remembers the golden age of moviemaking, when vivid supporting characters crowded the canvas. The story is about personalities, personal histories and eccentricity, not about a superstar superman crushing the narrative with his egotistical weight.

In the new movie, Harry ( Daniel Radcliffe , a little taller and deeper-voiced) returns with his friends Ron Weasley ( Rupert Grint ) and Hermione Granger ( Emma Watson , in the early stages of babehood). They sometimes seem to stand alone amid the alarming mysteries of Hogwarts, where even the teachers, even the august headmaster Albus Dumbledore ( Richard Harris ), even the learned professors Snape ( Alan Rickman ) and McGonagall ( Maggie Smith ), even the stalwart Hagrid the Giant ( Robbie Coltrane ) seem mystified and a little frightened by the school's dread secrets.

Is there indeed a Chamber of Secrets hidden somewhere in the vast pile of Hogwarts? Can it only be opened by a descendent of Salazar Slytherin, the more sinister of the school's co-founders? Does it contain a monster? Has the monster already escaped, and is it responsible for paralyzing some of the students, whose petrified bodies are found in the corridors, and whose bodies are carried to the infirmary still frozen in a moment of time? Do the answers to these questions originate in events many years ago, when even the ancient Dumbledore was (marginally) younger? And does a diary by a former student named Tom Marvolo Riddle--a book with nothing written in it, but whose pages answer questions in a ghostly handwriting--provide the clues that Harry and his friends need? (Answer to all of the above: Probably.) This puzzle could be solved in a drab and routine movie with characters wandering down old stone corridors, but one of the pleasures of Chris Columbus' direction of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is how visually alive it is. This is a movie that answers any objection to computer animation with glorious or creepy sights that blend convincingly with the action. Hogwarts itself seems to have grown since the first movie, from a largish sort of country house into a thing of spires and turrets, vast rooms and endlessly convoluted passageways, lecture halls and science labs, with as much hidden below the ground as visible above it. Even the Quiddich game is held in a larger stadium (maybe rich alumni were generous?). There are times, indeed, when the scope of Hogwarts seems to approach that of Gormenghast, the limitless edifice in the trilogy by Mervyn Peake that was perhaps one of Rowling's inspirations.

The production designer is Stuart Craig, returning from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." He has created (there is no other way to put it) a world here, a fully realized world with all the details crowded in, so that even the corners of the screen are intriguing. This is one of the rare recent movies you could happily watch with the sound turned off, just for the joy of his sets, the costumes by Judianna Makovsky and Lindy Hemming, and the visual effects (the Quiddich match seems even more three-dimensional, the characters swooping across the vast field, as Harry finds himself seriously threatened by the odious Malfoy).

There are three new characters this time, one delightful, one conceited, one malevolent. Professor Sprout ( Miriam Margolyes ) is on the biology faculty, and teaches a class on the peculiar properties of the mandrake plant, made all the most amusing by students of John Donne who are familiar with the additional symbolism of the mandrake only hinted at in class. The more you know about mandrakes, the funnier Sprout's class is.

She is the delightful addition. The conceited new faculty member, deliciously cast, is Gilderoy Lockhart ( Kenneth Branagh ), author of the autobiography Magical Me, who thinks of himself as a consummate magician but whose spell to heal Harry's broken arm has unfortunate results. And then there is Lucius Malfoy ( Jason Isaacs ), father of the supercilious Draco, who skulks about as if he should be hated just on general principles.

These characters and plot elements draw together in late action sequences of genuine power, which may be too intense for younger viewers. There is a most alarming confrontation with spiders and a scary late duel with a dragon, and these are handled not as jolly family movie episodes, but with the excitement of a mainstream thriller. While I am usually in despair when a movie abandons its plot for a third act given over entirely to action, I have no problem with the way "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" ends, because it has been pointing toward this ending, hinting about it, preparing us for it, all the way through. What a glorious movie.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film credits.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie poster

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Rated PG For Scary Moments Some Creature Violence and Mild Language

161 minutes

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter

Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger

Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy

Alan Rickman as Prof. Snape

Maggie Smith as Prof. McGonagal

Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid The Giant

Richard Harris as Prof. Albus Dumbledore

Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy

Directed by

Chris Columbus
Steve Kloves

Based on the novel by

J.K. Rowling

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Why hbo's harry potter tv remake can't end the same way as the books or movies.

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HBO's Harry Potter TV Show: Updates & Everything We Know

1 cooper family member absence at george's funeral makes young sheldon's ending sadder, chicago fire season 12 finale reveals a major sylvie brett change (breaking a firehouse 51 trend).

HBO's Harry Potter remake will give more focus to individual character arcs in a TV format, allowing for a satisfying ending beyond the epilogue.
The new series aims to correct the simplifications in the final battle and hopefully explore events between Voldemort's downfall and the epilogue.
While the epilogue was divisive, HBO's remake could go beyond it, potentially covering events from Cursed Child for a unique ending.

HBO's Harry Potter remake will retell the entire magical story, but some changes must be made to the grand finale. The new series' TV format will allow for a more book-faithful adaptation, which is great news considering all the Harry Potter movies had to cut. However, changing a story from one medium to another is no simple task, especially when the plot is already so familiar to fans. Changes will be necessary, but so long as HBO is careful, the upcoming Harry Potter TV show can end with a bang while still aligning with canon.

Warner Bros and HBO plan to begin streaming the Harry Potter remake on Max sometime in 2026 , with entire seasons dedicated to each of author J.K. Rowling's books. The series falls within a 10-year plan established by the two companies, which means that we still have a long way to go before the end of Harry's story is again adapted to the screen. Still, there is a lot to look forward to in this regard since Harry and Voldemort's final battle was simplified for the Harry Potter movies. This and much more will need to be corrected for the remake, but it's the epilogue that may need the bigger adjustments.

Harry Potter is being remade as a television show for HBO Max and every detail about the next adaptation featuring the Boy Wizard can be found here.

The Harry Potter Remake's TV Format Requires A New Ending

Hbo's harry potter remake will need to dedicate more time to wrapping up individual character arcs.

The epilogue of the Harry Potter movies was more or less the same as the books. The story jumped ahead 19 years to the day that Harry and Ginny were bringing their middle son, Albus Severus, to the Hogwarts Express for the first time. It was a heartwarming scene and perfectly demonstrated the safer version of the wizarding world that Harry had helped bring about. However, since those who have read the books and watched the movies have now experienced this ending twice, HBO's remake will need to do something different to keep audiences on their toes.

Still, this isn't the most important reason the Harry Potter remake would need a new ending. As effective as the epilogue was at allowing a peek into a Voldemort-free wizarding world, it did very little to tie up the loose ends of individual character stories. This was acceptable for the book and movie series, but it won't be enough for the Harry Potter remake, which will follow a unique set of unwritten story rules .

Every character arc will need to be wrapped up, and in a TV format, the short Harry Potter epilogue simply won't cut it.

The TV show format of the Harry Potter remake means that far more attention must be placed on the arcs of individual characters. While the books and movies mainly focused on Harry's perspective, it would be strange to stick with this for dozens of hours across seven seasons worth of episodes. We are sure to get more one-on-one time with the other characters of Harry Potter , and this will mean that each of these storylines will need a satisfying ending. Every character arc will need to be wrapped up, and in a TV format, the short Harry Potter epilogue simply won't cut it.

The Harry Potter Epilogue Has Always Been A Divisive Ending

Even for the books & movies, the epilogue didn't quite cut it.

The epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was undoubtedly heartwarming, but the scene itself has been the topic of heavy debate for years. The movie version was especially frustrating, with almost no time dedicated to what life looked like for these characters in the years following Voldemort's downfall. Additionally, the aging-up makeup used on the Golden Trio was notoriously bad , and after years with these characters, spending the final scene of Harry Potter with their heavily powdered counterparts was a bit of a disappointment.

The book version of the Harry Potter epilogue had a little more to offer, but it still wasn't perfect. While the text did mention that Neville Longbottom had become a Hogwarts teacher and that Hagrid was alive and well, there was very little else offered in the way of a satisfying ending for the plethora of characters Harry Potter had introduced . More focus was put on Harry's children (and their outrageous names) , and while this had value toward the themes of peace in a time without Voldemort, it left many readers unsatisfied.

HBO's Harry Potter Remake Can Go Beyond The Ending (& Still Stay Canon)

The final season of the harry potter tv show can cover the events between voldemort's downfall & the epilogue.

The biggest problem with the ending of Harry Potter is the gap between Harry defeating Lord Voldemort and the epilogue. It was important that audiences see the life that Harry had built for himself 19 years later, but the ending left questions about the days and years following the Battle of Hogwarts a mystery . Answers about how the Weasleys handled Fred's death, when Harry and Ginny got married, what Neville did after becoming a war hero, who took care of Teddy Lupin, and much more were only answered after the series ended. Thankfully, HBO's Harry Potter remake can fix this.

We could see Fred's funeral, Harry and Ginny's wedding, Teddy Lupin's first birthday, and much more.

Though the epilogue must still be featured in the Harry Potter remake, the story can be continued beyond Harry's defeat of Lord Voldemort. Perhaps t he time jump forward 19 years can be balanced by flashbacks of important moments that took place in the years between . We could see Fred's funeral, Harry and Ginny's wedding, Teddy Lupin's first birthday, and much more. The Harry Potter TV show could see Minerva McGonagall bravely step in as headmistress of Hogwarts, and the scene in which Dolores Umbridge is sent to Azkaban could be featured as well. These would all be canon moments finally brought to the screen.

Most questions about what happened between Voldemort's downfall and the Harry Potter epilogue were answered by J.K. Rowling on Wizarding World (originally Pottermore ).

Could The Harry Potter TV Show Cover Cursed Child Too?

The story of cursed child would need a lot of changes to work as a tv show.

After filling in the 19 years of important events, the Harry Potter TV show could still end with the epilogue (preferably with some better aging-up makeup). However, the story doesn't necessarily have to stop here, either. Rowling continued the tale with Harry Potter and the Curse Child , picking up from the epilogue and continuing on to Albus Potter's time at Hogwarts with best friend, Scorpius Malfoy. Of course, like the epilogue, the events of Cursed Child have also been highly divisive , with arguments made regarding whether the story counts as canon.

Of course, HBO's Harry Potter remake could always take inspiration from Cursed Child in its ending rather than directly adapting the play. Albus' story was designed for theatre, and, as yet another medium, this means it differed significantly from both the books and movies. With a shift in tone and some adjustments to some of the more problematic aspects that contradict the rules of Harry Potter , it could make for an interesting 8th season of HBO's series. Regardless of whether the upcoming remake takes this route, a unique ending from the Harry Potter TV remake is a must.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter is HBO's remake of the iconic Wizarding World film series that consisted of eight films between 2001 and 2011. Each season adapts a book from JK Rowling's popular series and provides more book-accurate details than the movies did. Upon the announcement of the Harry Potter TV show, the series received harsh criticism for the involvement of Rowling and for many thinking a reboot was unnecessary.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

By j.k. rowling.

'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' is the second book in J K Rowling's Harry Potter series. It follows Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione and their adventures during their second year at Hogwarts.

Article written by Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

This novel starts immediately after the events of ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone .’ Harry’s world has significantly changed since last year when Hagrid, the gamekeeper of Hogwarts, revealed to Harry that he is a wizard. Harry spent last year not just attending the school of magic, Hogwarts but also learning loads of new stuff about how wizards operate and who his parents really were. Harry also faced Lord Voldemort , his nemesis, at the end of the school year.

‘ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ‘ significantly brings a lot of nuance to the real problems of the wizarding world and is a tad bit darker as a narrative. It speaks of the ill-treating of magical beings like the house elves, delves deeper into the origins of Voldemort , and gives a deeper understanding of the world run by wizards.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Summary

‘Spoiler-Free’ Summary of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

‘ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ‘ begins with Harry feeling very lonely at Privet Drive after his first year at Hogwarts. He is sad that he has not received any letters from his friends Ron, Hermione, and even Hagrid.

Uncle Vernon is expecting guests and therefore tries to keep Harry inside his room. However, when Harry is sitting in his room, he is encountered by a rather strange creature who introduces himself as Dobby, a house-elf. He warns Harry that his life is in grave danger and that he shouldn’t be going to Hogwarts as someone is planning terrible things that would put Harry in danger. He also accidentally lets slip that the reason Harry has not received any letters this summer is that he has been hiding them.

Eventually, Dobby deliberately drops the pudding made by Aunt Petunia on the guests and ensures that Harry is blamed for it, just so that he is forced to stay at Privet Drive.

Harry, however, decides to go to Hogwarts, and once there, several sinister attacks happen in the castle, ‘petrifying’ victims. Harry, Ron, and Hermione try to figure out what is causing these attacks.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Summary

Spoiler Alert: Important details of the novel are revealed below

‘ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ‘ by J. K. Rowling begins with Harry’s ‘Solitary Confinement’ as punishment for dropping the pudding on Uncle Vernon’s guests, something Harry didn’t do. Ron and his brothers rescue him from Uncle Vernon, who had locked Harry up in a room with their father’s bewitched Ford Anglia that can fly.

Harry spends the rest of his summer in Ron’s house, ‘ The Burrow .’ Harry is very happy with how kind and nurturing Ron’s family is towards him, especially Mrs. Weasley, Ron’s mother. They all then plan to leave for Diagon Alley to buy books and other supplies through the Floo Network, which Harry is new to.

Harry accidentally ends up in a novelties shop called Borgin and Burkes , where he sees Malfoy and his father discussing forbidden items with the owner of the shop. He then ends up in Knockturn Alley, where he finds Hagrid, and they both meet Hermione and eventually Ron and his family.

They all end up in a bookshop where they meet their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, who instantly clicks pictures with Harry and makes a spectacle out of everything. Harry meets Malfoy in the shop, and they have a tussle which eventually ends up with Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy having a fistfight, which Hagrid ends up stopping.

On the day of boarding the Hogwarts Express, Harry and Ron are locked out of platform nine and three-quarters, and they eventually decide to reach Hogwarts in Ron’s father’s flying car. They eventually reach Hogwarts but are caught and given detention.

Quidditch season begins with news that Draco Malfoy is the new seeker of Slytherin and that his father bought a brand new Nimbus 2001 brooms for everybody on their team. Hermione insults Malfoy for buying his way into the team, to which Malfoy calls her a Mudblood , an offensive term for a muggle -born person. Ron retaliates with a spell, but it accidentally backfires, and he is left to belching slugs.

During Harry’s detention signing fan mail for Gilderoy Lockhart, he hears a sinister voice speaking about killing someone. He also realizes that Lockhart is oblivious to this voice. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are invited to attend Nearly Headless Nick ’s deathday party and, on their way back, come across Mr. Filch’s cat, Mrs. Norris, lifelessly hanging near the wall. Several people reach the spot, and Professor Dumbledore determines that the cat has been ‘petrified,’ a condition similar to a coma. A sinister message is written in what looks like blood on the wall, saying that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened and that the enemies of the Heir of Slytherin should be scared.

During the first Quidditch match of the year against Slytherin, Harry is attacked by a rogue bludger who tries to hurt Harry and eventually succeeds by breaking his arm. Harry catches the snitch nevertheless and wins Gryffindor the game. Gilderoy Lockhart tries to repair Harry’s arm but ends up creating more damage, and Harry has to spend a night in the hospital wing. There he meets Dobby again, who admits to tampering with both the wall that prevented Harry and Ron from going to Platform nine and three quarters, as well as the rogue bludger.

Harry is very angry but eventually calms down as he feels compassion for Dobby. Eventually, Colin Creevey , another victim who is petrified, is brought to the hospital by Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall.

During a duel at the Dueling Club, Harry also figures out, along with the rest of the school, that the reason he can speak to snakes is that he is a ‘Parselmouth,’ like Salazar Slytherin himself. Rumors begin to spread that Harry might be the Heir of Slytherin, and soon enough, Justin Finch Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick become new victims and are petrified too.

Hermione is adamant about figuring out a way to find out from Malfoy as to who the Heir of Slytherin is. So, she starts brewing the Polyjuice potion , which allows its drinker to shapeshift into someone else. Harry and Ron transform into Crabbe and Goyle and enter the Slytherin dormitory to ask Malfoy about it. However, they realize he, too, doesn’t know who the heir is. Around the same time, Harry finds a mysterious black diary that belongs to Tom Riddle. When he researches the diary it takes him into Riddle’s memory and shows him that Hagrid was the one who opened the Chamber of Secrets.

Shocked by this information, Harry, Ron, and Hermione discuss a course of action, but eventually, even Hermione is petrified and is admitted to the hospital. So, when Harry and Ron go to Hagrid’s hut to question him, the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, visits Hagrid and eventually takes him to Azkaban to prevent further attacks. Lucius Malfoy, too, arrives there with a letter dismissing Dumbledore from his post as the Headmaster.

Taking clues from Hagrid’s words, Harry and Ron go to the Forbidden Forest in search of answers but encounter a large spider whom Hagrid had saved. Aragog, the spider claims that Hagrid never opened the Chamber of Secrets and that the creature that is petrifying people in the castle is a very dangerous and feared creature. On their way back, the other spiders in the colony try to attack them, but they barely make it alive with the help of Ron’s abandoned car.

Back in the castle, Ginny Weasley, Ron’s sister, is taken to the Chamber of Secrets, and fear spreads throughout the school. Harry, Ron, and Gilderoy Lockhart, the latter who had always been overconfident about his skills enter the Chamber of Secrets. Harry eventually goes into the Chamber, sees Ginny, and encounters Tom Riddle’s life-like apparition , who claims that he is the younger self of Harry’s archenemy, Lord Voldemort.

Riddle summons the beast, the Basilisk , a large snake, to kill Harry, but Dumbledore’s pet Phoenix, Fawkes, arrives on time with the Sorting Hat that contains the Sword of Gryffindor. Harry eventually defeats the Basilisk and then punctures Tom Riddle’s diary with the Basilisk’s fangs, thereby ‘killing’ the apparition of Riddle. Ginny comes back to normal, and they all are safely carried out of the Chamber by Fawkes.

Dumbledore is reinstated as the Headmaster, and Hagrid is brought back from Azkaban too. It is eventually revealed that Riddle’s diary forced Ginny into releasing the Basilisk to petrify the victims and that it was Lucius Malfoy who deliberately placed the diary along with Ginny’s books. It is also revealed that Dobby is the Malfoys’ House Elf. Harry eventually frees Dobby by manipulating Lucius Malfoy into giving Dobby a sock. Dumbledore congratulates Harry, and by extension, Hermione and Ron, for being very proud and resourceful.

What is the beast in the Chamber of Secrets?

The beast in the Chamber of Secrets is a Basilisk, an ancient creature feared by spiders and many other creatures. Its bite is fatal as its fangs are highly venomous, and its eyes are deadly, and seeing it instantly kills the victim. However, if its eyes are seen through a reflection, the person is petrified. The Basilisk was used by Tom Riddle, the heir of Slytherin, to attack Muggle-born students at Hogwarts.

Is Tom Riddle Lord Voldemort?

Yes, Tom Riddle is, in fact, Lord Voldemort. In ‘ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ,’ it is also revealed that his full name Tom Marvolo Riddle, is an anagram of the statement “I am Lord Voldemort.” He was named after his father, who was a muggle. When Voldemort realized this, he wanted to distance himself from this name and therefore chose a different name.

Why was Hagrid expelled from Hogwarts?

Hagrid was wrongfully accused of housing the beast in the Chamber of Secrets and letting it loose to kill Myrtle Warren, who later became the ghost, Moaning Myrtle. In actuality, it was Tom Riddle, or Lord Voldemort, who set the Basilisk loose in the castle to kill muggle-born students. The spider that Hagrid kept, Aragog, never hurt anyone in the castle. Although Hagrid was expelled from Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore trusted him, and he was therefore given a job as a gamekeeper.

Harry Potter Quiz

Summon your wit and wisdom—our Harry Potter Trivia Quiz awaits you! Do you have the knowledge to claim the title of Master Witch or Wizard? Take the challenge now!

1) What specific type of dragon does Harry face during the Triwizard Tournament?

2) What does the Mirror of Erised show?

3) What is the name of the book Hermione gives to Harry before his first ever Quidditch match?

4) What is Dumbledore's full name?

5) What is the name of the goblin who helps Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into Gringotts?

6) What potion is known as "Liquid Luck"?

7) Who is the Half-Blood Prince?

8) Which object is NOT one of the Deathly Hallows?

9) What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?

10) Who teaches Herbology at Hogwarts?

11) Which potion did Hermione brew in her second year that allowed her, Ron, and Harry to assume the identities of Slytherins?

12) What was the last Horcrux to be destroyed?

13) What animal represents Hufflepuff house?

14) What is the effect of the Cheering Charm?

15) What is the core ingredient of the wand owned by Harry Potter?

16) In the "Order of the Phoenix," who is NOT a member of the original Order of the Phoenix shown in the old photograph that Moody shows Harry?

17) Which creature can transform into a person's worst fear?

18) What is the name of the train that takes students to Hogwarts?

19) What is the name of the goblin-made object that is supposed to bring its owner prosperity, but also brings them into conflict with goblins?

20) What are the dying words of Severus Snape in both the book and the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"?

21) Which character is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts?

22) What does the incantation "Obliviate" do?

23) What creature is Aragog?

24) Which spell is used to open the Marauder's Map?

25) Who was the Peverell brother that owned the invisibility cloak?

26) Who originally owned the Elder Wand before Dumbledore won it?

27) In which Harry Potter book does Harry first speak Parseltongue?

28) What is the name of Harry Potter's pet owl?

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About Mohandas Alva

Mohandas is very passionate about deciphering the nature of language and its role as a sole medium of storytelling in literature. His interests sometimes digress from literature to philosophy and the sciences but eventually, the art and craft of narrating a significant story never fail to thrill him.

About the Book

The Harry Potter section of Book Analysis analyzes and explorers the Harry Potter series. The characters, names, terminology, and all related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros ©. The content on Book Analysis was created by Harry Potter fans, with the aim of providing a thorough in-depth analysis and commentary to complement and provide an additional perspective to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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The Chamber Of Secrets Movie Made A Frustrating Mistake That Haunted The Harry Potter Series For 8 Years

Harry Potter TV remake has a chance to fix mistakes like Polyjuice potion voice inconsistency from Chamber of Secrets movie.
Polyjuice potion changes user's voice in books, but Harry Potter movies struggled with this consistency issue throughout.
HBO's Harry Potter remake must handle even the smallest details correctly to avoid criticisms like the Polyjuice potion mishap.

The Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie made a mistake that hung over the series all the way through to Deathly Hallows . Of course, the Warner Bros films are deeply loved by millions all around the world, but that isn't to say they are perfect. The wizarding world was changed in various ways throughout the movies, and there were times that this came back to bite Warner Bros in the butt. In some cases, it meant some frustrating inconsistencies throughout Harry Potter , but the upcoming HBO TV remake has the chance to set everything straight.

Little mistakes that would later put the Harry Potter movies in a bind were far easier to make in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets since Rowling's books weren't even close to being finished when the films were released. This is where HBO's TV remake has a significant advantage. Harry's story has been completed for nearly two decades, and the whole picture will allow the Harry Potter TV show to avoid continuity issues. In the case of Polyjuice potions, this will be a relief.

HBO's Harry Potter TV Show: Updates & Everything We Know

Harry Potter is being remade as a television show for HBO Max and every detail about the next adaptation featuring the Boy Wizard can be found here.

The Chamber Of Secrets Movie Made Polyjuice Potion Users Keep Their Own Voices

Harry & ron became crabbe & goyle but kept their own bodies in the movie.

In the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie, Harry, Ron, and Hermione use Polyjuice potion to attempt to impersonate Draco Malfoy's friends and discover the identity of the Heir of Slytherin. Harry and Ron used the hairs of Vincent Crabb and Gregory Goyle (while Hermione accidentally used a cat) and successfully took on their appearance after drinking the potion. However, in the 2002 film, the two Gryffindors still had their own voices , something Harry drew attention to when he said, " We still sound like ourselves! "

This wasn't how Polyjuice potion worked in the Harry Potter books . When Ron and Harry posed as Crabb and Goyle, it's specifically stated that they had taken on the brutish voices of the Slytherin bullies . It's unclear why this change was made for the Chamber of Secrets movie. Perhaps director Christopher Columbus didn't want audiences to get confused about who was who, or maybe it just seemed like more fun to dub over with Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe's voices. Regardless, the decision certainly became a problem years later when Polyjuice potion made another appearance.

It's challenging to make dubbing sound natural, which makes Chamber of Secret 's Polyjuice potion mistake all the more jolting.

Goblet Of Fire Retconned The Polyjuice Potion Change (But Deathly Hallows Changed It Back)

The harry potter movies couldn't decide if a polyjuice potion user would keep their voice.

Harry Potter remained Polyjuice potion-free until Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when the brew reappeared as a significant feature of the plot. Barty Crouch Jr. used it throughout the entire school year to pretend to be Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody and did such a good job impersonating the Auror that even Albus Dumbledore was fooled. Of course, this con wouldn't have been possible if the Polyjuice potion hadn't changed Crouch Jr.'s voice, so the Goblet of Fire retconned the previously established rule that a person's voice remained the same .

Eight years after Chamber of Secrets , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 repeated the mistake.

Since Chamber of Secrets was made so early on in the Harry Potter franchise, this retcon would have been forgivable. Everyone could have moved on knowing that the early installment made a simple mistake and that Goblet of Fire set it straight. However, eight years after Chamber of Secrets , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 repeated the mistake. When Harry, Ron, and Hermione use Polyjuice potion to impersonate Ministry of Magic workers, they keep their own voices —and this is again repeated when Hermione becomes Bellatrix Lestrange.

It Doesn't Make Sense That Polyjuice Potion WOULDN'T Change The Drinker's Voice

Polyjuice potion changes a person's entire body - including their vocal cords.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows retconning a retcon only made the situation worse and more confusing. Polyjuice potion is supposed to be a nearly undetectable way to take over someone's identity, which is why it is so challenging to brew. If a drinker's voice doesn't change, then people are bound to notice that they are an imposter , making the Polyjuice potion entirely useless. Instead, it's supposed to change the drinker's body in absolutely every way, which means Harry, Ron, and Hermione's vocal cords would have been changed in Deathly Hallows as well.

An explanation about why this change was made in the Harry Potter movies has never been forthcoming. Since all instances in which the Polyjuice potion didn't change the drinkers' voices involved more than one person using it, the original voices were likely used so that audiences wouldn't forget who was who . Since Barty Crouch Jr. was impersonating Mad-Eye Moody for nearly the entire Goblet of Fire movie, dubbing David Tennant's voice over Brendan Gleeson's would have been a nightmare. Still, HBO's remake can avoid this whole mess from the very beginning.

HBO's Harry Potter Remake Must Fix The Movies' Polyjuice Potion Mistake

Even the smallest details will matter in the harry potter remake.

HBO has teased a " book-faithful " adaptation of the Harry Potter TV remake, and if it hopes to deliver on this, it's essential that even the small details are handled correctly. With a season dedicated to each of the books, Chamber of Secrets should be adapted in season 2 , and it's important that Polyjuice potion be handled correctly from the start. Though dubbing over with the original actors' voices might help audiences know who is who, this isn't worth creating a continuity issue for when Goblet of Fire 's adaptation rolls around and must change the rules again.

Of course, this isn't the only mistake that HBO will have to fix . Nearly every significant change that the Harry Potter movies made wound up biting them in the butt in later installments. For example, Dobby was cut out of every film after Chamber of Secrets until shortly before his death in Deathly Hallows . This meant that the character's tragic end wasn't nearly as impactful since movie audiences hadn't seen him in years (unlike the movies). Of course, when the directors chose to cut costs and leave Dobby on the cutting room floor, they didn't know he would be so important later.

It will be clear to HBO's showrunners what must be included, and they can learn from some of the binds that Warner Bros films got themselves into.

Overall, the Harry Potter TV remake will have its work cut out for it correcting the mistakes of the movies, but it has the benefit of adapting a completed story. It will be clear to HBO's showrunners what must be included, and they can learn from some of the binds that Warner Bros films got themselves into. Things like voices with Polyjuice potion and the minor appearances of a house-elf might not seem like much, but these are the details that help audiences feel immersed in the wizarding world . Without them, HBO's Harry Potter remake will be subject to the same criticisms as movies like Chamber of Secrets .

Harry Potter

Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students' time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.

Created by J.K. Rowling

First Film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

First TV Show Harry Potter

Cast Alfred Enoch, Katie Leung, Dan Fogler, Jason Isaacs, David Tennant, Ralph Fiennes, Ezra Miller, Mads Mikkelsen, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, Eddie Redmayne, Richard Harris, Harry Melling, Matthew Lewis, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson, Emma Watson, Warwick Davis, Timothy Spall, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Katherine Waterston, Jude Law, Jamie Campbell Bower, Helena Bonham Carter, David Thewlis, David Bradley, Daniel Radcliffe, Alison Sudol, Alan Rickman

TV Show(s) Harry Potter

Character(s) Dobby the House Elf, Ginny Weasley, Rubeus Hagrid, Sirius Black, Minerva McGonagall, Ron Weasley, Voldemort, Harry Potter, Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger

The Chamber Of Secrets Movie Made A Frustrating Mistake That Haunted The Harry Potter Series For 8 Years

Stage and Cinema

Arts and Entertainment Reviews

Music Review: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS HARRY POTTER (John Williams Spotlight, LA Phil)

by Nick McCall on May 28, 2024

in Concerts / Events , Music , Theater-Los Angeles

COMPARED TO FANTASIA , NOT SO FANTASTIQUE

Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic concluded its orchestral season and its Spotlight on John Williams series on May 19 with a family-oriented program: Dudamel Conducts Harry Potter . Williams’ music is always an exciting proposition, but the program, the first half of which was dominated by another composer, played like a double-length “Symphonies for Youth” concert.

First up was “The Flight to Neverland” from John Williams’ grand and heart-tugging score to Hook (1991). Easy to listen to, and with a soaring melody — a near-rarity with new music at the Phil — this short piece, was for five minutes a thrilling way for the ginormous orchestra to start the program.

After this, the main piece of the first half was Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of the Orchestra , written in 2022 by Mason Bates and played to the eponymous animated/live action film by director/writer Gary Rydstrom with story and animation by Jim Capobianco projected above the orchestra. The 25-minute short begins with the orchestra warming up against (what you’d be forgiven for mistaking as) the Netflix logo , and then dives into swirling chaos against a pulsating synthesizer while non-figurative animation swoops around on screen. The music shortly calms down and all the abstract shapes disappointingly coalesce into the Sprite character. Why can’t animation get beyond cute characters? Anyway, Sprite then plays the orchestra like a game of Simon, which got some gentle laughs from the audience.

Here is where the piece reveals itself to be an “intro to orchestra” work. Sprite then visits every major instrument in the orchestra. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Each scene here begins with a portrait of the instrument, say, the cello. Then, just as I’m getting into the music, “Cello” pops up on screen, distracting me from the music and forcing me to read it. This portion works best when Sprite follows the physical path of the music and we see it fly along the paths of air inside the instruments. Interspersed throughout are explicit calls to Fantasia (1940), such as the “Sound Track” and musicians’ silhouettes. When not even the Disney company can create a worthy sequel to Fantasia , it’s best to not remind me of the most amazing and audacious animated feature to come out of America. And look so cheap while doing it. Also sprinkled are live-action shots of instruments and random musicians. The real players in front of me are more interesting than any video.

With the intro out of the way, the second half was The Magic of Harry Potter , a suite that covers Williams’ scores from the first three Harry Potter movies (he only did those three) , written 2001-2004 . For this, the Phil brought actor Freddie Stroma to narrate. His script had a rocky start, spouting boilerplate such as how much money the series made and how Harry Potter reminds us about “the wonder of books.” But after that, the narration became truly helpful in situating us as to how each movement fits in the story. As required, it started with the beguiling and haunting “Hedwig’s Theme.” There are ten selections in total, all in different styles, such as the wild and drunk “Night Bus , ” and “Diagon Alley,” which is scratchy and bustling. In between, Stroma explained the type of music and what the orchestra was going to do. I eventually realized that this, too, is an intro-to-orchestra piece , seemingly designed to show off the versatility of the orchestra . “Nimbus 2000” was just the woodwinds, quiet, fast, and breezy, followed by “Quidditch,” a brass-only fanfare. Each section was about 3-4 minutes , not enough time to soak in the music .

Presentation was wildly inconsistent. I was expecting the whole suite was going to be played to picture, but only selections 2 (“Aunt Marge’s Waltz”), 8 (“The Chamber of Secrets”), and 10 (“Harry’s Wondrous World”) had video; the latter two were montages which covered all the movies — including the ones Williams didn’t score . I found the video distracting and inappropriate , and was glad there weren’t any most of the time, but their use seemed random. There were also distracting flashing and swirling lighting effects during the start of each piece. On the one hand, they stopped after maybe 30 seconds (and, may I say, “Good Riddance”) , but on the other hand it showed a lack of follow-through.

So, a program of three appetizers. I kept waiting for the main dish, but it never came. Accordingly, audience applause was tepid. People were getting set to leave when Dudamel came back to lead the orchestra in playing the main theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), prompting the woman behind me to confidently exclaim, “ Jurassic Park !” Same, girl. Same. Freed from having to play to picture, Dudamel let the music breathe and be deliciously bombastic, far more satisfying than the “ E.T. in Concert” performance earlier in the season. This got the standing ovation that didn’t happen earlier, but I had a sneaky suspicion that we were just subjected to a Dudamel parlor trick.

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Review
4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Book Review. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling was published in 1999 and is a great way to connect the first installment to the rest of the books in the series. It delves deeply into a lot of new avenues that aren't explored in the first book. Although not considered as one of ...
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
Harry expects it to be a normal year after his experiences the term before but a secret chamber opens, muggle-born students are attacked and Harry must put his life in danger once more. The three ...
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
4.43. 3,965,221 ratings80,790 reviews. Ever since Harry Potter had come home for the summer, the Dursleys had been so mean and hideous that all Harry 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 who says that if Harry ...
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
This sequel to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1998) brings back the doughty young wizard-in-training to face suspicious adults, hostile classmates, fretful ghosts, rambunctious spells, giant spiders, and even an avatar of Lord Voldemort, the evil sorcerer who killed his parents, while saving the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from a deadly, mysterious menace.
Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
The book in two sentences: Harry is excited to start his second year at Hogwarts, but a mysterious, half-forgotten monster begins to terrorize the school.Harry, Ron, and Hermione attempt to stop it before Hogwarts is shut down for good. Rating: Island collection. Long story long: I realized after publishing my Sorcerer's Stone review that that was less of a review and more of me just feeling ...
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
On Halloween night, Harry, Ron and Hermione find a message painted on a wall that reads, "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware.". They soon discover that the Chamber of Secrets contains a deadly monster, that it hasn't been opened for 50 years, and that the last time it was opened, someone died.
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets By J.K.Rowling Book review by Abbas Panjwani This is the second book in the Harry Potter series by J.K.Rowling, about the young wizard Harry Potter, his best friends Ron and Hermione, and their adventures at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is no ordinary wizard.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Book Review
The second novel in the Harry Potter series is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling. Harry is in his second year of Hogwarts and his second year goes even worse then his first year. Keep reading to see the epic adventures that follow Harry as he returns to Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Summary
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Review. It is the second book in J.K Rowling's fantastic book series Harry Potter. 12 year old Harry has just come back from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to spend a dreadful summer at Number 4 Privit Drive. Little does he know his summer is about to get worse. Uncle Vernon is expecting to get one of the best deals of his life ...
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
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 ...
500 Words or Less Reviews: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
500 + 63 Words or Less Reviews: The Deathly Hallows. After finishing The Sorcerer's Stone I felt at loose ends, lost, eternally adrift…Not really, but I did greatly desire to continue the Potter story ASAP. And so, after borrowing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets from my niece, I plunged into its magical depths.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Themes and Analysis
The analysis of ' Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ' is bound to highlight discrimination and inequalities that are persistent in the wizarding world. The premise of this book alone rests on a group of wizards claiming superiority over other wizards and a select few trying to stop these evil forces.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The story of 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' has been a great success since it was first published in 1998. Due to the roaring success of its predecessor 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,' this series was already a household name, and the book took over most best-selling lists in both the UK and the USA. The book went on to win several awards, including The British ...
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Review. This was my second reading of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and while I normally allow more time to pass between re-reads of favorite books, it was still a fun story. I also had recently re-watched the movie version which made it even fresher in my mind, but I discovered that by watching the movie first and then reading the ...
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling book review
A delightful fantasy story full of magic, mystery and laughter. 9/10 A delightful fantasy story full of magic, mystery and laughter. Buy on Amazon. Review by Amanda White. 11 positive reader review (s) for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. 362 positive reader review (s) in total for the Harry Potter series. JK Rowling biography.
Book review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Plot - 4.5/5. The Chamber of Secrets finds Harry, Hermione, Ron and friends back at Hogwarts for their second year. They've had the summer off after the heroic trio faced off against some magical trials, climaxing with Harry meeting Voldemort for the first time vicariously through their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Quirrel.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Throughout the summer holidays after his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter has been receiving sinister warnings from a house-elf called Dobby. Now, back at school to start his second year, Harry hears unintelligible whispers echoing through the corridors.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2. by J. K. Rowling. Publication Date: June 26, 2018. Genres: Fantasy. Paperback: 368 pages. Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN-10: 1338299158. ISBN-13: 9781338299151. In one of the most highly anticipated sequels ever, J.K. Rowling takes up where she left off with Harry's second year at Hogwarts.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Book Review
August 10, 2019. A sleeping evil awakens under the castle of Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second installment to the Harry Potter series. A sequel that gives what we were looking for an solidifies a desire to read the entire series. Let's dive in and see what this chapter of the series is all about.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie review (2002)
The first movie was the setup, and this one is the payoff. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" leaves all of the explanations of wizardry behind and plunges quickly into an adventure that's darker and scarier than anything in the first Harry Potter movie. It's also richer: The second in a planned series of seven Potter films is brimming with invention and new ideas, and its Hogwarts ...
Why HBO's Harry Potter TV Remake Can't End The Same Way As The Books Or
HBO's Harry Potter remake will give more focus to individual character arcs in a TV format, allowing for a satisfying ending beyond the epilogue. The new series aims to correct the simplifications in the final battle and hopefully explore events between Voldemort's downfall and the epilogue. While the epilogue was divisive, HBO's remake could ...
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Plot Summary
Back in the castle, Ginny Weasley, Ron's sister, is taken to the Chamber of Secrets, and fear spreads throughout the school. Harry, Ron, and Gilderoy Lockhart, the latter who had always been overconfident about his skills enter the Chamber of Secrets. Harry eventually goes into the Chamber, sees Ginny, and encounters Tom Riddle's life-like ...
The Chamber Of Secrets Movie Made A Frustrating Mistake That ...
The Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie made a mistake that hung over the series all the way through to Deathly Hallows.Of course, the Warner Bros films are deeply loved by millions all ...
Music Review: DUDAMEL CONDUCTS HARRY POTTER (John Williams Spotlight
The real players in front of me are more interesting than any video. Gustavo Dudamel. With the intro out of the way, the second half was The Magic of Harry Potter, a suite that covers Williams' scores from the first three Harry Potter movies (he only did those three), written 2001-2004. For this, the Phil brought actor c to narrate.

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