374. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Recommended by:
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult
341 pages, published July 2, 1999
Reading Format: Audio Book
Summary
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is book two in the classic Harry Potter series. Once again escaping his mean muggle relatives, Harry is delighted to be back at Hogwarts with besties Ron and Hermione. However, his happiness is soon interrupted when students begin turning to stone and the school is ominously put on notice that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened.
Quotes
“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
“When in doubt, go to the library.”
“Honestly, if you were any slower, you’d be going backward.”
“Ginny!” said Mr. Weasley, flabbergasted. “Haven’t I taught you anything? What have I always told you? Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain?”
“Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won’t they?” said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward the enchanted barrier. “When they hear what you did this year?” “Proud?” said Harry. “Are you crazy? All those times I could’ve died, and I didn’t manage it? They’ll be furious…”
“Do I look stupid?” snarled Uncle Vernon, a bit of fried egg dangling from his bushy mustache.”
“Hang on . . .” Harry muttered to Ron. “There’s an empty chair at the staff table. . . . Where’s Snape?”
“Maybe he’s ill!” said Ron hopefully.
“Maybe he’s left,” said Harry, “because he missed out on the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again!”
“Or he might have been sacked!” said Ron enthusiastically. “I mean, everyone hates him —”
“Or maybe,” said a very cold voice right behind them, “he’s waiting to hear why you two didn’t arrive on the school train.”
Harry spun around. There, his black robes rippling in a cold breeze, stood Severus Snape.”
“Gotta bone ter pick with yeh. I’ve heard you’ve bin givin’ out signed photos. How come I haven’t got one?”
“Ron: Why spiders? Why couldn’t it be “follow the butterflies?”
“Voldemort,” said Riddle softly, “is my past, present, and future, Harry Potter. . . .”
He pulled Harry’s wand from his pocket and began to trace it through the air, writing three shimmering words:
TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE
Then he waved the wand once, and the letters of his name rearranged themselves:
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT”
My Take
I am having so much fun re-reading the Harry Potter series. Or, rather, listening to them with the delightful audio version narrated by the incomparable Jim Dale who brings the story to life with his imaginative voice work. J.K. Rowling is a marvel, crafting a richly drawn fantasy world replete with an incredible level of detail while still managing to create completely relatable characters. A pleasure for readers of any age!
