Harry returns for his second year at Hogwarts, and we are introduced to the delightful character of Dobby the house-elf. At Hogwarts, the heir of Slytherin has opened the Chamber of Secrets and unleashed whatever monster Slytherin left there-- and Harry has to deal not only with the suspicions of the other students, but his own doubts about himself, since the Sorting Hat considered putting him in Slytherin house. Ultimately, he proves himself loyal to Dumbledore and a true Gryffindor when he faces Voldemort in a different, younger incarnation.
Eventually Dumbledore explains to Harry that, when Voldemort tried to kill Harry and failed, some of his power was transferred to Harry-- like the rare gift of parseltongue that makes everyone suspect Harry is Slytherin's heir. This is pretty interesting when you know the prophecy that is revealed later in the series-- by trying to take out a threat, Voldemort creates an even greater threat.
A couple of things that seemed annoyingly convenient to the plot, when I knew where it was heading: Harry, Ron, and Hermione are in frequent contact with Moaning Myrtle, yet they never think to ask her how or when she died? And Hermione is too clever not to figure out what the monster is before everyone else-- but of course she doesn't voice her suspicions until she can confirm it in the library, and then she's turned to stone until the whole thing is over. Ginny's behavior, on the other hand, did not bother me, because it seemed about the way someone like that would behave in such a situation.
Read in two days.
| Title: | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets |
|---|---|
| Author: | J. K. Rowling |
| Date published: | |
| Genre: | Children's Fantasy |
| Series: | Harry Potter |
| Number of pages: | 341 |
| Notes: | repeat reading |
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