ISBN-10: 0747538484Publisher: Bloomsbury
Published: July 1998
251 pgs
Synopsis (from B&N)
The eagerly anticipated sequel to the astounding smash hit Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is finally here! No need to wait — Harry's back for his second year at Hogwarts, where the infamous Chamber of Secrets has been opened for the first time in 50 years. The monster that is unleashed is literally petrifying Hogwarts students (turning them into stone, that is), and who is the primary suspect? Harry Potter himself. Add to this some enormous spiders, a Deathday Party, a ghost named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and lots and lots of suspense, and you'll soon find yourself engrossed in another terrific tale in which magic does exist and good eventually triumphs over evil.
So I had a great time re-reading the first installment, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone a while back. I find myself immersed in J.K. Rowling's amazing wizarding world and just could not get enough of it, and that is why I devour the second installment immediately after reading the first.
So without further ado, here is my self-interview review of the book.
Q: Which is your favourite and least favourite scene? Why?
A: There are a few scenes which I liked: Harry Potter and friends' encounter with Moaning Myrtle, who haunts the girls' toilet. I find their exchanges to be somewhat amusing at times. And I find myself holding my breath reading about Harry's and Ron's mission to find out the true heir of Slytherin and their narrow escape with the huge spider, Aragog and not to mention the gigantic and deadly Basilisk (also known as the King of Serpents). I also have to mention Hermione's heroic deeds when she went out the way to concoct the Polyjuice potion and being the one to find out about the facts on the Basilisk.
Q: Which is your favourite and least favourite scene? Why?A: There are a few scenes which I liked: Harry Potter and friends' encounter with Moaning Myrtle, who haunts the girls' toilet. I find their exchanges to be somewhat amusing at times. And I find myself holding my breath reading about Harry's and Ron's mission to find out the true heir of Slytherin and their narrow escape with the huge spider, Aragog and not to mention the gigantic and deadly Basilisk (also known as the King of Serpents). I also have to mention Hermione's heroic deeds when she went out the way to concoct the Polyjuice potion and being the one to find out about the facts on the Basilisk.
I do not think there is a scene which I dislike; there is so much adventure in this story. However, I have to say I was a little irritated by Professor Gilderoy Lockhart's attitude; I simply could not stand the way he thinks so highly of himself. Despite this, I am glad he is a harmless character after all.
Q: Name a trait which you think we all should learn from any of the characters in this book.
A: This will be a no surprise answer after all - Harry Potter's courage, his faith and his never-give-up attitude.
Q: Name a trait which you think we all should learn from any of the characters in this book.
A: This will be a no surprise answer after all - Harry Potter's courage, his faith and his never-give-up attitude.
There is this scene between Professor Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter which I really, really like. Dumbledore was telling Harry that it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities and I totally agree with him on this. How many times have we been persuaded or coaxed into doing something, but ultimately the decisions still lie upon us and we have to decide what is right or what is wrong.
Q: Your overall thoughts on this book?
A: I loved it that there are more adventure and more dangerous tasks for the three main characters as the series progress. (Warning: Do not read further to this answer if you have not read this book!) However, I was perplexed over a scene and wonder how did Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes managed to puncture the Basilisk's eyes without getting itself petrified? Did I miss anything there?
Q: Your overall thoughts on this book?
A: I loved it that there are more adventure and more dangerous tasks for the three main characters as the series progress. (Warning: Do not read further to this answer if you have not read this book!) However, I was perplexed over a scene and wonder how did Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes managed to puncture the Basilisk's eyes without getting itself petrified? Did I miss anything there?
During my review for the first installment, I had requested some questions from fellow bookbloggers for this review and here they are:
Q: Do you think that the movie is really close to the book? Or will reading the book give you a different experience altogether? (Violet of Violet Crush)
A: Yes, I do think the movie follows closely to the book, but we all know it is impossible to capture every scene and/or description so I know there are bound to be some little things missed here and there and as long as they do not cut away the major scenes, I am totally fine with it.
A: Yes, I do think the movie follows closely to the book, but we all know it is impossible to capture every scene and/or description so I know there are bound to be some little things missed here and there and as long as they do not cut away the major scenes, I am totally fine with it.
I always prefer reading the books first before watching the movies. However, it is not the case in Harry Potter series as it is the movies that have me hooked to the books (I did not read a lot of YA books back then). I find there is not much difference in regards to the experience no matter if we are reading a book or watching a movie because we are always the third party as we watch the story slowly unfolds in front of us; often it is how the movie (or the characters) portray that makes us compare to the books.
Q: Does any of the book relate to your "real" life? (Amy of Amy Reads Good Books)
A: Fortunately, no! And onto a different topic, as much as I love reading about magic, I would rather read them in books than to see them happen in reality. It would be too scary if someone decided to use it to create chaos in real life.
Q: Which Hogwarts House would you chose to be in and why? (Naida of The Bookworm)
A: Gryffindor, of course! That house has the most righteous attitude among all, but most importantly my favourite characters - Harry and his friends are in it. Period.
Thanks to Violet, Amy and Naida for the great questions!
*****
Note: Please feel free to ask me any questions for my next review of the third installment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
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I always thought that the first movie was very very close to the book, then the further we go through the series, the further we get from the real story. I loved Half Blood Prince at the theater, but they left out so much it was bordering on negligent! I've read the series three times, but now the kids and I are listening to the audios. They are absolutely brilliant!
I don't think I've ever seen that cover! and this is the second HP review I've read this week. Guess he's not going to go away for a long time, huh? Maybe in 20 years I'll actually attempt them...
Ooh, I've never read these books but have signed up to the Harry Potter challenge so can't wait to dive into them. This is a great style of review. I like your answers, really well written. :-)
Great interview! :) I think Moaning Myrtle was one of my favorite characters as well. I like how she seemed rather incidental in the beginning but became more important toward the end.
Thanks for answering my question Melody :)
I was never interested in the book until I saw the movie, but then now that I have watched the movies, I thought that it would be a waste of time to read something that I already know. But then maybe I'll give it a try.
I really have to get going with the series again. Thanks for Q&A review, Melody! :D
What a cute way to review the book! Unfortunately I've not read any of the Harry Potter books so can't ask you any questions but will look forward to your next review :)
enjoyed this as a walk down memory lane cuz it's been ages since I read this one. Oh, I love the Potter books. Hmmm...maybe I should go back and re-read them?
I really, really, REALLY need to get around to reading these! (Actually, I read the first two, but should probably reread those first.) Loved this review, Melody!
Come on, the bits with the Moaning Myrtle were more than somewhat amusing ;) I love how she uses humour in the series. I'm glad you're enjoying these, Melody!
This is such a fun series. I look forward to rereading it one day. I enjoyed your self-interview, Melody.
I've only read the first HP book when I was a teenager. I don't know why I didn't read the other books.
That's a really good point about Fawkes and the basilisk. I hadn't noticed that before, but now I'm wondering too!
Sandy - Wow! I'm in awe that you guys have read this series three times!! I haven't even read the 4th book, though I'd watched the movies to-date a few times! (Our TV station always have a re-run whenever the next HP movie is out!) Plus, I've the DVDs!
Care - That's a UK cover. I'll continue with this series unless I got sidetracked by other books. :P
Ceri - Thanks! I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do!
Amy - Indeed Moaning Mytrle is an interesting character!
Violet - I was introduced to this series through the movies, and I love both book/film versions! (But of course we all know that the books are always better, hehe) I hope you'll give the books a try!!
Alice - I hope you'll read them soon!
Iliana - I did this self-interview because I'm afraid I'll bored the readers into sleeping with my usual review style, LOL. I'm glad you enjoyed reading this format, Iliana. :D
Oh, Debi - How I wish I had read this series earlier! ;) They're so much fun to read!
Nymeth - Moanign Myrtle is a great character. :) And it makes me wonder how she is like before she's dead. :P
Wendy - Thanks! I can't wait to finish this series! :)
Andreea - I've read till Bk 3 last year, and I'm hoping I'll finish this series before the next movie is out! :P
Memory - Initially I thought I've missed something. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought of that. :P
You are making me anxious for this challenge. I love the Potter books. They are so good..... cant wait to get back into them and your review is so fun!
I love this series ;O)
I laughed out loud a few times at Lockheart even tho he was kinda annoying...and I liked how they portrayed him in the film too...lol.
I agree, Dumbledore gives Harry some great advice.
You chose Gryffindor! I am Slytherin all the way :)
Great post!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
I haven't reread this one in a while, but what a great read, huh? I love Lockhart... what a fun character to hate :-)
Sheila - This challenge is fun! And I love reading the magical adventure of Harry Potter and friends. :D
Naida - This is one series I would not forget! The movies are awesome too!!
Kim - Lockhart is a contradicting character, haha.
I truly enjoy your Q&A review, Melody. I find your answers interesting. And I truly like the part where readers/bloggers ask you questions of the book for you to answer :)
**However, I was perplexed over a scene and wonder how did Dumbledore's phoenix, Fawkes managed to puncture the Basilisk's eyes without getting itself petrified? Did I miss anything there?** - anser to this you will understand in the 6th and 7th book surely. If you have not read those i dnt want to tell u more :)!
love your answers! i strongly belive in reading the book vs seeing the movie! :)
Julia - Thanks, Julia! :) I always have fun answering questions asked by fellow bookbloggers.
Veens - Ah...that explains it! I can't wait to finish the whole series!
I think I've lost count the number of times I have reread each of the Harry Potter books... I'm a bit of a fanatic LOL. It's so great that you're reading them and especially enjoying them! I can deal with reading about the spiders in the book but when it comes to the movie, I usually skip that scene... I really hate spiders! *cringes*
Gryffindor all the way! I consider myself a Hufflepuff... personally though I think there should be a Gryffinpuff :P Can't wait to see your thoughts on the next books - my favs in the series are the 6th and 7th :)
Reading your self-interview has made me realize how much of the book I've forgotten!! I should really get to these again--they're such treasured books.
Oh, and I'd totally pick Gryfinndor, too!
Can I ask you a question that might lead to a spoiler for #3? Who did you think the giant wolf was following Harry around? Does that make sense? Trying to ask my question in a cryptic kind of way in case you haven't finished yet! :)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie is a family and adventurous movie...Harry Potter has not had a good summer. Not only has he had to put up with his overbearing Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon Dursley and their dread of his magical abilities, but it seems as if Harry’s best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger have forgotten him – as they haven’t replied to a single one of his letters. Then, suddenly and mysteriously, house-elf Dobby appears in Harry’s bedroom and warns of great danger if the aspiring wizard should attempt to return to Hogwarts.you love to watch Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie from this website....