(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: A bit bland at times, with less wonder and discovery than before, but finishes well with a more satisfying conclusion.

There is an advantage in rereading a series like Harry Potter, and that is knowing how it all ended, to see its connectivity as it builds toward its climax. When I first read it, over 15 years ago, I had no idea what will be in store for the coming installments. So, this book was just another adventure of Harry Potter where he yet again displayed his heroism. But now, when I'm revisiting them, I can see how Rowling has shaped the series and build up from book to book her story of good against evil.

Lord Voldermort, as any Potter fan will know, is the evil incarnation. His power, however, was defeated, by a power far more powerful, a power the dark lord never comprehended, and that was the power of love. It all fits the theme - good vs evil. But Rowling also wants to show that evil doesn't take the defeat too kindly and that it lurks in every dark corner, ready to pounce again. And so, Lord Voldermort hunts Harry so he could crush the good that is associated with him and defeat the forces that fight to preserve the good in the world.

Returning to the book, I found this daring adventure of Harry to be exciting and fascinating. This is the first full-blown adventure of Harry after learning of his magical inheritance. This adventure allows Harry yet again to prove his courage and loyalty which he does admirably. Reading the book was like a positive antidote to the present hard times, where we tend to lose hope and courage. Harry's fighting nature, the determination to do what's right, and his courage, even knowing he is no match for the power that he challenges, makes us question whether we tend to give up at the very moment that we should fight.

About the creative genius of Rowling, I'm not about to harp afresh. I said that in my review of the first book of the series, and I'll leave it there. But I would like to mention what I've quite missed out on in my first reading; that is satire and humor. Rowling injects both of these subtly through the character of Gilderoy Lockhart, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. I think all of us must, at some point in our lives, have met the sorts of Gilderoy Lockharts, those who take credit for other people's honors. :) I liked how Rowling made Harry instrumental in exposing his deception and humbling his vanity while fighting a bigger battle with Lord Voldermort.

There is one more thing I want to mention before I wind up my review and that, with a big apology to all the Ronald Weasley fans. It looks like that all through my first reading, I haven't truly appreciated Ron's character. I've seen him only as "the faithful" who follows the "master". But this second reading of the book made me see the individuality of his character, which to me was closed by Harry's bravery and Hermione's brains. But I'm slowly beginning to realize that without Ron's steadfast support and loyalty, perhaps, it wouldn't have been quite easy for either of them to shine as they did.

I'm quite warming to the series again and remembering all the pleasure of my first reading. I was in awe then, and I'm still, even now.

Me: life's too short to read the same books again and again.
Me to me: re-read Harry Potter.

This was a cute middle grade book. Even though it was slow, I liked it a little more than the first book since at this point the world has already been established and now we get to see more of the characters and the setting. Ron and his family, especially the twins, are endearing. I also thought it was interesting seeing Harry’s internal struggle with whether he was truly Gryffindor or Slytherin, and the payoff later on about how it is our choices that show what we truly are. I didn’t like how the mystery was conveniently solved, the monologue of explanation from the villain at the end, and how Hermione was literally petrified throughout most of the book just so that she wouldn’t have figured everything out right away. But I’m glad to finally be done with this book so that, just like Dobby, I am free.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2), J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets begins when Harry is spending a miserable summer with his only remaining family, the Dursleys. During a dinner party hosted by his uncle and aunt, Harry is visited by Dobby, a house-elf.

Dobby warns Harry not to return to Hogwarts, the magical school for wizards that Harry attended the previous year. Harry politely disregards the warning, and Dobby wreaks havoc in the kitchen, infuriating the Dursleys.

The Dursleys angrily imprison Harry in his room for the rest of the summer. Luckily, Harry's friend Ron Weasley steals Harry away in a flying car, and Harry happily spends the rest of the summer at the Weasley home. ...

Quidditch practices begin and Draco Malfoy is the new Slytherin seeker. On the field, he calls Hermione a "mudblood," insulting her Muggle heritage.

After taunting Hermione, Draco is the suspect when, on Halloween night, someone petrifies the school caretaker's cat and writes a threatening message. Before the cat is attacked, Harry twice hears an eerie voice.

He hears it first during his detention and second during a party, moments before the cat is attacked. Everybody in the school is alarmed.

By doing some research, Harry, Ron, and Hermione learn that fifty years ago a chamber at Hogwarts was opened and a student was killed. ...

عنوانهای چاپ شده در ایران: «هری پاتر و اتاق اسرار»؛ «هری پاتر و اتاق رازها»؛ «هری پاتر و تالار اسرار»؛ «هری پوتر و تالار اسرار»؛ «هری پاتر و حفره اسرار»؛ «هری پاتر و حفره اسرارآمیز»؛ «هری پاتر و دخمه اسرارآمیز»؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ موضوع: داستانهای خیالی و جادویی برای کودکان و نوجوانان از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 20میلادی؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش ماه نوامبر سال 2000میلادی؛ تاریخ دومین خوانش نسخه ای دیگر ماه آگوست سال 2001میلادی

عنوان: هری پاتر و حفره اسرارآمیز - کتاب دوم؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: ویدا اسلامیه؛ تهران، کتابسرای تندیس، 1379؛ در 381ص؛ شابک 9645757045؛ چاپ دوم آبان 1379؛ چاپ سوم 1379؛ چاپ چهارم تا چاپ هشتم 1380؛ چاپ نهم 1381؛ چاپ یازدهم 1382؛ چاپ دوازدهم 1383؛ چاپ پانزدهم 1384؛ چاپهای شانزدهم و هفدهم 1385؛ چاپ هجدهم 1386؛ چاپ بیستم 1387؛ چاپ بیست و یکم 1388؛ چاپ بیست و پنجم 1392؛ شابک 9789645757043؛ چاپ بیست و هفتم 1394؛ موضوع: داستانهای نوجوانان از نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده 20م

عنوان: هری پاتر و تالار اسرار - کتاب دوم؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: طوبی یکتایی؛ تهران، انتشارات شیوه؛ 1379؛ در 345ص؛ شابک9649177892؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، میعاد، 1381؛ در 352ص؛ شابک ایکس - 964693045؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، فرتاب، 1381؛ در345ص؛ شابک 9647964080؛

عنوان: هری پاتر و اتاق اسرار؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: محمد قصاع؛ تهران، آینده نگار، 1379؛ در 383ص؛ شابک ایکس-964927071؛ چاپ دوم 1382؛

عنوان: هری پاتر و اتاق رازها؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: نسیم عزیزی؛ تهران، ذکر، قاصدک، 1381؛ در 227ص؛ شابک 9643071979؛

عنوان: هری پاتر و اتاق رازها؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: فریدون قاضی نژاد؛ ویرایش: نسیم عزیزی؛ تهران، روزگار، جوف، 1381؛ در480ص؛ شابک ایکس-9649306170؛

عنوان: هری پاتر و اتاق رازها؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: فریدون قاضی نژاد؛ ویرایش نسیم عزیزی؛ تهران، روزگار، جوف، 1381؛ در480ص؛ شابک ایکس-9649306170؛

عنوان: هری پاتر و تالار اسرار؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: پرتو اشراق؛ تهران، عقیل، 1380؛ در 376ص؛ شابک9646205275؛

عنوان: هری پاتر و تالار اسرار؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: ایران علیپور؛ تهران، عقیل، 1383؛ در 353ص؛ شابک9647689233؛

عنوان: هری پاتر و تالار اسرار؛ نویسنده: جی.کی رولینگ؛ مترجم: مریم شعبانی؛ تهران، سنایی، 1383؛ در هفت و 360ص؛ شابک9646290388؛
...

این جلد را مترجم کتاب: سرکار خانم «طوبی یکتائی»، عنوانش را «هری پوتر و تالار اسرار» نامیده اند، اما نخستین عنوان این جلد را ناشرش تندیس، با ترجمه سرکار خانم «ویدا اسلامیه»، «هری پاتر و حفره ی اسرار » گذاشته است؛ عنوانهای دیگری که کتاب با آن عنوانها منتشر شده آن بالا نوشته ام؛

هری پاتر، پسر بچه‌ ای از نسل جادوگرهاست، که پدر و مادرش را، که آنها نیز جادوگر بوده‌ اند، از دست داده؛ با این همه، از چگونگی مرگ آنها خبر ندارد؛ خانواده ی «دورسلی»، یعنی خاله، و شوهرخاله اش، او را از یکسالگی بزرگ کرده اند؛ رفتار خانواده «دورسلی»، با «هری»، هماره تحقیرآمیز بوده است؛ «هری» در یازده سالگی، برای تحصیل به مدرسه جادوگری «هاگوارتز» میرود، و آنجا تجربیات شگرفی می‌اندوزد، و در پی آن، ماجراهایی عجیب و باور نکردنی را، پشت سر می‌گذارد؛ «هری» در پایان سال نخست تحصیلی خود، برای تعطیلات تابستانی به خانه ی «دورسلی»ها بازمی‌گردد؛ اما رفتار نفرت انگیز آنها سبب می‌شود، هری به یاری دوستش از آن‌جا فرارکند، و روزهای مانده از تابستان را، در خانه ی «ویزلی»ها بگذراند؛ سپس با آغاز سال تحصیلی تازه، دوباره به مدرسه «هاگوارتز» بازمی‌گردد؛ آنگاه با ماجراهای شگفت‌ انگیز دیگری رودررو می‌شود؛ در دومین سال تحصیلی «هری» در مدرسه جادوگری هاگوارتز، او با دوستان صمیمی‌ خویش، «رون ویزلی» پسری كنجكاو، و «هرمیون (هرماینی) گرنجر» باهوش‌ترین دختر مدرسه، سعی دارند، پرده از معمای حفره ی اسرارآمیز بردارند؛ حفره‌ ای كه هیولایی مخوف را در خود جای داده است، و رازی بزرگ در ژؤفای آن وجود دارد؛ و ...؛

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 13/07/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 25/06/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

4/5 ⊹₊⟡⋆

i kind of shot myself in the foot by taking 16 days to read this because I was in a littleeee bit of a slump, but overall it’s just enjoyable and fun. there’s no obvious faults or things that I had an issue with (except for my inability to follow the story but that might be a ME issue). reading this as an adult holds up 100%, and the reveals and plot twists are so good. the world is just so rich it’s a perfect fantasy series to get lost in. i don’t think i can quite give it 5 stars because i didn’t get that *5 star feeling* where it leaves such an imprint on you, but nevertheless i will be reading the next one

So, what is Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets?

Why perhaps one of the greatest sequels ever written?

Ha! Then why is it the lowest rated of the 7? Why do so many consider it to be their least favorite?

I don't know! I thought it was flipping amazing.

Why?

Because Jo Rowling, so very English and erudite, with her topsy turvy hilarious and creepy narrative, her human characters and her timeless topics; Jo, who knows the human heart like Hermione knows the works of Gilderoy Lockhart, hides the motives of every character till the perfect moment of revelation. Even those that should be above suspicion are not with the taint of pride and ambition, and even the most beloved characters breathe with the fragility of humanity as the story relentlessly runs along through the darkened halls of Hogwarts.

Beware, second-year students, the desire to be great is a double-edged sword beset with rubies.

I first became a fan of Jo with Cuckoo's Calling and it occurred to me, breathlessly reading through Chamber of Secrets, that the Riddle was solved. Finally. Why is Jo Rowling so good? It's simple.

She's a mystery writer.

Harry Potter soars above Muggle mystery books because of its special additives. Magic, yes, and undeniably malleable lenient fantasy elements that Jo masterfully weaves and waves her wand over to manipulate and beef up the story as she sees fit, but truly, how many mysteries have we read (collectively) where we set them down and forget who the detective was, or the suspect, or whatever. Why is that? Because of Jo's reverse engineering (no doubt an ancient Slytherin technique) where the character comes first. No matter what, and no matter which character. The books are entirely character driven and because we love The Boy Who Lived and He Who Shall Not Be Named and The Weasleys and Rubeus Hagrid and Ginny (the cutest human being on planet earth) and on and on and on, we find ourselves shoulder to shoulder with our would-be sleuths and puzzle solvers and their "we must we must" attitude. Chamber of Secrets was an outstanding mystery, chock-full of red herrings, an incredible combative climax, and too many laugh-out-loud lines to count.

Dear Diary, I have a new favorite book.

Oh really, what is it?

*Throws diary out the window and runs away screaming*

And, shivers, at the mere mention of Azkaban, I read Chamber of Secrets with far too much excitement and anticipation, because, knowing I was going into Harry Potter, The Prisoner of Azkaban, following Chamber of Secrets, was the book I was waiting for the most, and for that I blame Gary Oldman. (I am a Sirius fan of Gary Oldman) That said, I had no idea that Chamber of Secrets would be so outstanding and leave me thinking the incredible Philosopher's Stone was a perfectly-pitched welcome handshake compared to the books to come.

For those who like to feel up a book for flaws, I have none, and I see none. I see the sheer verve of adventure and the scintillating luster of mystery, gleaming hungry-eyed and ready for more. You see, as Philosopher's Stone was about love, Chamber of Secrets was about fearlessness. Fearlessness to speak the truth in the face of a lie, fearlessness to stand up for what's inside your heart. Fearlessness to take a leap of faith and follow the path of destiny.

Also, I am very interested in how the issues gain maturity as Harry and the other characters age. Obviously there are deaths to come, but in the case of Chamber of Secrets versus Philosopher's Stone, I could feel that sense of maturity creeping in just a bit, and am so very excited for the continuation of the series (I'll have to go buy some more chocolate frogs now) as everything in the Wizarding World becomes increasingly dangerous and unhinged and wild and wondrously unforgettable.

Recommended for everyone.

And 50 points for Hermione for being epic even whilst being petrified.

This volume is packed with action, fantasy and creativity.

The Chamber of Secrets begins, as did the Philosopher’s Stone, with Harry once again at home with the dreadful Dursleys. The Dursleys are, to put it mildly, unpleasant and the arrival of the house-elf Dobby sets in motion a chain of events that ends with Harry. Harry Potter is about to start his second year at Hogwarts. Harry expects it to be a normal year after his experiences the term before but a secret chamber opens, muggle-born students are attacked and Harry must put his life in danger once more.

n  You might like to check out more similar books here.n

A Comprehensive List of all the Things I Love About This Book:

*The whole flying car escape. The fact that the Weasley twins know how to actually pick locks and that they taught Ron how to do it as well.

*The Burrow and its sheer chaotic architecture and the warmth of its people. I want to live here please.

*Mr & Mrs. Weasley. Adopt me, please.

*Dobby and the whole pudding fiasco! Though Dobby really can be maddening at times, I’m quite fond of him.

*The fact that Malfoy talks about Harry to his family. That he infcat talked of little else the whole damn summer except for “wonderful Potter with his scarand his broomstick”. This is cannon. I cannot even.

*Gilderoy motherfuckjng Lockhart LOL. His autograph scenes! When he tells Harry he might be famous enough one day to keep his own stack of autographs handy, When he made Harry reenact all his äccomplishements.” When he tried to duel Snape!

Third time time's a charm (previously last read in 2007)… as on my third reading of this series, it is only now that I really do begin to appreciate just how good The Chambers of Secrets is. Better late than never? At Hogwarts, paranoia, suspicion and danger becomes the norm as it is rumoured that the mythical Chamber Of Secrets has been reopened. This book sees a nice expansion of the main and supporting characterisations, of life at Hogwarts and underlines just how key Harry's friends and classmates are, and will be. 8 out of 12. Four Star read.

2013 read; 2007 read; 2005 read

Rowling confirms that the first book was not a fluke. The Harry Potter series is the real deal, with compelling characters, action and adventure, multi-dimensional characters you can love and hate, all wrapped up in a fascinating created world.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”



Like Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, reading JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was another great walk down Memory Lane! And we get introduced to Dobby! Very happy I decided to revisit Harry Potter's world after all these years. Great storytelling and fun experience!

“I'll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I'm not there.”