Tuesday, September 18, 2018

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

Synopsis (via Goodreads): The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone -- or something -- starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects . . . Harry Potter himself?

“When in doubt, go to the library.”
This review may contain spoilers for the first book. Read at your own risk!

I always love re-reading this series, and I'm thrilled to finally be sharing them with my son. He's still a little to young to fully understand the story, but it's been lovely reading these to him before bed. He gets so excited about the small things -- a car that can think for itself, a tree that fights back, and he was absolutely fascinated by the basilisk. It's hard not to keep reading once he's fallen asleep, but I force myself to dog-ear the page and wait until the next night.

I feel like I notice something new or different each time I re-read these books. There were a few things that irked me when I read this one, and I'm not sure the issues are addressed in later books. One, Malfoy confessed to Harry and Ron (when they were Crabbe and Goyle) that his father had a hidden room in their house where he stored his really dark artifacts. Ron says something about sending an owl to his father, but then nothing comes of it. Did Mr. Weasley raid Lucius Malfoy's house? If so, why wasn't Malfoy imprisoned or charged with something? You'd think that would have been notable information.

Another thing that I'm upset about -- Hagrid. We know he was expelled from Hogwarts ages ago, and his wand was broken in half. When it becomes clear that Hagrid was falsely accused of a crime, why wasn't he reinstated as a wizard? I'm sure someone could have fixed his wand, or allowed him to finish school (even do some owline courses). I feel like Riddle's wrongdoings were never addressed, and Hagrid is still seen as somehow being less than others. It's infuriating because I love Hagrid to death. He's a gentle soul that truly loves Dumbledore, and he cares deeply for Harry and his friends. 

I'm also pretty flarking upset that Hedwig was locked in a tiny cage all summer. It was cruel and unnecessary. You're telling me Harry can fight Voldemort, take on a basilisk, and be the schools youngest Seeker, but he couldn't pick a lock on his owl's cage so she could stretch her wings at night? His aunt and uncle wouldn't have noticed as long as she made it back by morning. Speaking of his aunt and uncle, they are cruel and heartless people. Harry was a child and they locked him in a room and fed him barely edible food. They could have given him a decent home despite their animosity towards wizards. He was still family.

Despite my new issues with some of the content, I will forever love this series. I was always the same age as the characters, so it felt like we grew up together. Now when I read these books, there's a sense of nostalgia. I remember a younger version of myself, and how thrilled I would be to get the next book in the series. I was a different person then, and I'm much older now, but the feelings of wonder and joy are the same.

23 comments:

  1. I can't wait to reread these books. I only read them last year for the first time! But I am excited in a few years I can share with my kids.

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    1. It was truly a wonderful experience reading Harry Potter for the first time! I didn't know then what I know now, and so everything was new and exciting. I still love them, but there's nothing quite like that first time... all the magic mixed in with the unknown. I'm glad you enjoyed them, too! :)

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  2. I was always annoyed that Hagrid never got reinstated or compensated for being wrongly accused. I really need to do a series reread at some point as vI love these books!

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    1. Right?! He's been living a (mostly) magicless life because of Riddle's accusation. People assumed he was the heir of Slytherin and associated him with Voldemort. He's had to live with that for 50 years! Only Dumbledore believed him and fought for his innocence, but even he couldn't protect Hagrid from everything. Once his name was cleared, someone should have apologized and make a public announcement about his innocence. He even spent time in Azkaban! They should have cleared his name and given him back his wand.

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    2. Hagrid was a crucial part of the Harry Potter series. He did so much to help Harry (even retrieving him from the rubble of his parent's house), Ron and Hermione. He helped solve some of the larger plots, and he even visited some... unusual family in the last books to help with the war against Voldemort. Hagrid is a lovely person, he loves the unlovable creatures, and he deserved so much better.

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  3. I think I've re-read this series at least 7 times but it's been awhile since I have. I really should again. ;)

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    1. I love re-reading them in the fall every year! It's like I start school with them, haha. I actually started reading them a little earlier this year, because I know reading them out loud to my son will take me a little longer. I can maybe get through a chapter each night, but he usually falls asleep about halfway through.

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  4. This series definitely has some holes but it’s so great! This one is my favorite. Unpopular opinion but I love it.

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    1. As a child I didn't notice the holes as much, but as an adult they're glaringly obvious. I've also read them a dozen times, haha. I just wish some more justice had been served in this one... against Lucius Malfoy and for Hagrid. They both played major roles, but didn't really get much of an ending. Their stories felt unfinished.

      Chamber of Secrets is your favorite? If I had to pick one, it would be Prisoner of Azkaban or Goblet of Fire. I love the books with Sirius Black and Professor Lupin. Tonks! I pretty much love everyone in the Order of the Phoenix (the actual order, because I know there's a book with the same title). Why would it be an unpopular opinion? Everyone is different! Who cares which Harry Potter book they like -- they're all great! :)

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  5. I watched all the movies but never read the books.

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    1. You're missing out! The movies are pretty accurate, but it would have been impossible for them to include every little detail. There are entire scenes missing from the movies, and a lot of the conversations were condensed. The movies did allude to some of the things they were leaving out, or didn't have time for, like the room he falls into when he's fighting the snake (super long explanation in the book). You should really give the books a try if you have time!

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  6. *fancy voice* HARRY POTTER!!! (I do that around my house all the time, Lol.)

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    1. Haha -- I really want to re-watch the movies soon! I love watching the movies after finishing the books. I think my son is old enough to enjoy them now, too. Maybe? ;)

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  7. I don't think I've ever actually re-read the series after my initial read years ago. I enjoyed the books and I really enjoyed the movies (have seen all those countless times) but HP isn't tied to my childhood like it is for so many people. I think I was already 29 or 30 when the first book came out. So it's not this huge thing that is interwoven with my childhood. There's not really a nostalgia factor. I think it's so cool that you're reading them to your son and sharing that with him! :)

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    1. It's always been a huge part of my life, and I'm so grateful for that. It was exactly what my younger self needed! I look forward to revisiting these books every year, and I try to start them in the fall to coincide with the beginning of the Hogwarts school year (yes, I'm weird). I want my son (and eventually my daughters) to have a similar experience. However, I can't force them to like something, so all I can do is introduce it to them. He's enjoying them so far, but like I said before, he's not quite old enough to grasp the bigger picture.

      I'm happy you read them when they came out! I think everyone should try them at least once. I saw a few books from the series on a "banned book" shelf at the library today. They're trying to promote the books schools are trying to have removed, which is awesome. When I asked why Harry Potter was on there (it being such a significant part of my childhood) they said it was because of the witchcraft. Can you believe that? Magic is even in children's books, but they want to keep kids from reading it... why? It's nonsense. We read about the Salem Witch Trials in school, which is sooo much worse. Women being killed for false accusations, but that's fine. UGH. John Green's Looking for Alaska was on there, too (another book I love).

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    2. I think it's awesome and amazing that there's an entire generation that has this incredible bond with Harry Potter and that it is so intrinsically woven into the fabric of their childhood. That's pretty powerful. There are certainly books I remember from childhood but nothing that had the worldwide impact of HP. Nothing that I felt I shared with millions of others. And to be able to share them with your own kids has to be pretty special.

      It's crazy to me that the HP books are still showing up on banned book lists. Actually it's absurd in this day and age that there is still such a thing as banned books! How dare some group decide what I (or my imaginary kids) cannot read?! I mean, that's insane! Who are they to decide what is appropriate or not appropriate? Gah!

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    3. The summer after my senior year, a group of us went on a trip to Germany. We knew the final Harry Potter book was going to be released on our way there, so at the airport we all bought the book to read on our 14+ hour flight. It gave everyone plenty of time to read it, and I took pictures of people during different stages. There were a lot of tears, and we would take breaks to discuss things as they happened. It's an experience I will always treasure and remember. I hope there are books like that for my children, too. Harry Potter might not mean to them what it meant to me, but I hope they enjoy them. It really is a wonderful feeling to have. I always feel nostalgic and happy when I read through them.

      Right?? Why are there banned books? There's a quote I like that says, "Every book is a children's book if the kid can read!" said by Mitch Hedberg. Children, especially teenagers, should be able to read whatever they want. They're old enough to make their own decisions regarding what they think and how they feel. Also, telling them they can't read something only makes them want to read it more, so banned books are ridiculous. If people are worried how a book my impact a child, then maybe those people should better prepare those kids for the world. My children will be able to think for themselves, and not be easily swayed by the content within a book. It's a book. Read it and learn something from it, or just enjoy it. Harry Potter isn't going to create little Voldemort clones.

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  8. I grew up with these books too, so I'm kind of in love with them. It's interesting to re-read them now though and see what you didn't notice, etc. I feel like it's mentioned in one of the books that Lucius' house was being raided - or might be. Not sure though. I'm almost finished re-reading this one in the illustrated format, which is just beautiful.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I think I'm in love with them, too. I also enjoy the movies, but I love looking for the hidden meanings and skipped conversations. Sometimes they'll allude to a part of the book they didn't have time to cover in the movie. I'll start bouncing up and down and explaining to anyone within earshot what those references are. ;)

      They mention his house being raided in this one, but they didn't know about Lucius' secret room. It's only after the raid that young Malfoy mentions it to Harry and Ron (disguised as Crabbe and Goyle).

      Ohhh, I haven't read that one yet! I can't wait to get a copy for myself. <3

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  9. Ya know - I read this series as it came out and I loved it but I never bothered to re-read and I don't really care to but I love how much every one still gets from the books.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. It's okay, Karen! I still love you. <3

      It's not often that I make time for re-reads (though I'm trying to do it more often), but I always try to squeeze in Harry Potter. I'll listen to the audiobooks if I'm short on time. I also like to watch each corresponding movie after I finish the book. Is that weird? ;)

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  10. The first three books were already out when we started reading them with my seven year old son and I must admit that I read ahead during the day when he was at schoolschools. Ha ha. Then one day he found out his father had taken one of the books to read at work and he hid them, so that put an end to my daytime reading. Ha ha. ๐Ÿ˜‚

    It's wonderful that you are having the experience of sharing them with your son now. I cannot wait until I have grandchildren. ๐Ÿ’œ

    I think Hagrid being given the Care of Magical Creatures professorship was his reparation for being wrongly accused, if I remember correctly. And he did still have his wand in the pink umbrella. I suppose once he was granted innocence he could use it openly? It was still so unfair though.

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    1. It's impossible not to read ahead! The story draws you in from the start, so it's hard to put it down and wait for someone else. I think it's hilarious he hid them once he realized you guys were borrowing them while he was at school.

      Hagrid is only the groundskeeper in the first two books? He doesn't get the Care of Magical Creatures title until the third? (I think he's an awesome professor, btw!) Yes, Dumbledore knows his umbrella is actually his wand, but I don't think anyone else does. Didn't Dumbledore have the umbrella made for him? I'm wondering if he was ever allowed to openly use magic, or if everyone assumed his wand was forever broken. Can you repair a broken wand? Ron needed a new one after a few books, but I can't remember if he gets one. His wand used to belong to one of his brothers, I think. Hopefully both he and Hagrid get new ones in the future. <3

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“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless