Potty about Potter? (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J. K. Rowling)

Member Name: Bryn Pearson

Product:	Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J. K. Rowling
Date:	21/11/01 (164 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: another good plot, some new information, builds well on the first book.

Disadvantages: the limitations of the school setting.

"The Chamber of Secrets" is Rowling's second book in the harry Potter series. Inevitably as a follow up, it lacks some of the freshness and inovation of its predescessor, but happily, it builds well on the first book and is largely satisfying. If you haven't read the first book, read some ops about it if you want this to make any sense.

Harry Potter spends a dreadful time with his relatives, the Dursley's before being rescued by the Weasley's and taken to their house for the rest of the summer. A strange magical little person is trying to persudae Harry not to go back to school, but despite mising the train and having to 'borrow' a flying car, he's determined to get back to Hogwarts, the magical school. It is soon clear that some new and dastardly plot if afoot, and that the school is in very real danger from an ancient plot. The founder of Slytherine has left something nasty for his followers to take advantage of, and when strange things start to happen, rumour has it that Harry is to blame.

"The Chamber of Secrets" does a really good job of develloping the setting and some of the minor characters - we find out a few secrets, including why Hagrid was expelled, why Filch hates the students, why Snape hates Harry and who founded the school. The three main characters are not so well developped - Hermione is less present if anything, we do see a bit more of Ron's home life and family, but apart from increasing self doubt and concern about who or what he is, Harry himself remains much as ever.

The trouble with basing a series of books on life at school, is that the school year enforces a certain structure - the plot must begin somewhere just before or at the start of term, take advantage of the Christmas break and come to a conclusion before everyone is sent home for the summer. The other problem, as with the first book, is that while there are many intelligent adults floating about, only Har
ry can save the day. This is something of a convention in children's books, and at least this time Rowling has come up with a tollerably good justification.

An entertaining read for children of all ages - perhaps a little to much like the first in its structure, but interesting enough, and with a few pleasing surprisses and unexpected developments along the way.

Summary: