Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling
Of the entire seven-book series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is my favorite installment of the Harry Potter books. The introduction of the magical wizarding world has already swept the audience off their feet, and as Harry, Ron, and Hermione return for another school year, we get another treat of fun, friendship, danger, and magic. While the first book introduces you to the world, the second lets you feel like you’re a part of it.
There’s so much to love in this book. Can you imagine a Halloween party in the wizarding world? It’s every bit as grand as you imagine, with ghosts, fun costumes, tons of magical elements, and it was entirely cut out of the movie. There’s also a magical diary that reads entries and talks back, and while that major plot point is included in the movie, it’s condensed considerably. Many of the characters have cute and funny scenes in this book that didn’t make it to the movie, so if you really love this book, you might be disappointed.
Some readers have turned to audio books, and I know how fun it is to listen to J.K. Rowling’s text being read aloud. My dad read all seven books to us before each of the movies were released, no matter how old we grew, and it was so much fun listening to him voice all the different characters. With a squeaky voiced house elf, a nearly headless ghost, a “peevish” ghost, talking spiders, very varied teachers, the Sorting Hat, and the cast of children, this can be a memorable family time if you sit around and listen to it, or even if you take turns reading different characters’ parts! My brother and I will never forget a very innocuous line fragment, “said Hagrid flatly,” which my dad accidentally turned into, “said Flagrid hatly.” I recommend you read it with your family, since professionals who record audio books won’t create those delightful memories.
More details about the different classes the students take are included, as well as an introduction of a potion that can turn your appearance into someone else if you steal one strand of his hair. There’s a new teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, added to the staff, and he’s absolutely hilarious. He’s incompetent yet full of himself, and as a writer and celebrity, women fawn over him constantly. Of all the guest teachers throughout the years, he might be my favorite.
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2002's film adaptation here!
More Harry Potter book reviews here on Hot Toasty Rag!
There’s so much to love in this book. Can you imagine a Halloween party in the wizarding world? It’s every bit as grand as you imagine, with ghosts, fun costumes, tons of magical elements, and it was entirely cut out of the movie. There’s also a magical diary that reads entries and talks back, and while that major plot point is included in the movie, it’s condensed considerably. Many of the characters have cute and funny scenes in this book that didn’t make it to the movie, so if you really love this book, you might be disappointed.
Some readers have turned to audio books, and I know how fun it is to listen to J.K. Rowling’s text being read aloud. My dad read all seven books to us before each of the movies were released, no matter how old we grew, and it was so much fun listening to him voice all the different characters. With a squeaky voiced house elf, a nearly headless ghost, a “peevish” ghost, talking spiders, very varied teachers, the Sorting Hat, and the cast of children, this can be a memorable family time if you sit around and listen to it, or even if you take turns reading different characters’ parts! My brother and I will never forget a very innocuous line fragment, “said Hagrid flatly,” which my dad accidentally turned into, “said Flagrid hatly.” I recommend you read it with your family, since professionals who record audio books won’t create those delightful memories.
More details about the different classes the students take are included, as well as an introduction of a potion that can turn your appearance into someone else if you steal one strand of his hair. There’s a new teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, added to the staff, and he’s absolutely hilarious. He’s incompetent yet full of himself, and as a writer and celebrity, women fawn over him constantly. Of all the guest teachers throughout the years, he might be my favorite.
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2002's film adaptation here!
More Harry Potter book reviews here on Hot Toasty Rag!