Book two in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series is probably the least interesting of the lot. That is not to say it isn’t enjoyable, but it’s hard to care about a story that ends much like its predecessor.
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, forces are plotting to keep Harry away from Hogwarts but, miserable at home with his aunt, uncle and cousin, Harry is determined to get back to school by any means necessary.
Though the storyline doesn’t really differ all too much from the first book, Chamber of Secrets does introduce an array of fantastic new characters into the mix, including the youngest Weasley, Ron’s little sister Ginny. Eleven-year-old Ginny is new to Hogwarts, has a crush on Harry and doesn’t have many friends. This book also sees the introduction of the fabulous house-elf Dobby, the elf owned by the Malfoy family. Dobby takes it upon himself to protect Harry Potter, but sadly subtlety was never really his strong suit. Gilderoy Lockhart is the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher who clearly has more celebrity than brains and there is also the brilliantly funny and oh-so-crazy Moaning Myrtle, the ghost who haunts the ladies toilets.
The Chamber of Secrets focuses on a legend at Hogwarts about a Chamber that will unearth all sorts of evils if someone manages to open it. Harry discovers a diary written by a boy named Tom Riddle which has the power to transport him back in time to view his parents at his age, along with a young and slightly creepy Professor Snape and even Dumbledore. Too consumed with his need to be with his deceased parents, Harry doesn’t stop to think what the diary is doing or what consequences might come from reading it. He starts to hear voices nobody else can hear and thinks perhaps he is going crazy.
The film of HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS really shows that, after their work on the first film, everybody seems to have found their feet a little more. The young cast have really started honing their skills and Bonnie Wright is great as the shy, young Ginny. Kenneth Branagh arrives as the “dreamy” but totally useless Gilderoy Lockhart and adds some great comedy value to an otherwise tense film.
The very best thing about this second outing – apart from the giant snake – is that the story starts to dig deeper than the first, with more explanation as to the history of the magical world, the school and its four founders Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin.
As with The Philosopher’s Stone, this book reads more like a children’s book than anything Young Adult. However, it is evidently getting darker by exploring the horrific idea of ethnic cleansing via the Chamber of Secrets. As McGonagall explains to the children, the ‘mudbloods’ (those not of magical lineage) were deemed unfit to study and practise magic and as such were persecuted and killed. As Hermione is not of magical lineage (but is clearly a better witch than all her peers!) it becomes a very personal affair for our three young heroines. Really, it’s the personal elements of the story that make it so readable. The drama is always happening to one of the three or somebody close to them. Drama and danger just seem to seek them out – something we are set to see more of as their stories continue.
JK Rowling’s second story was an excellent conversion from book to film. The snake is terrifying and the drama brilliantly captured on the big screen. It just doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the fold.
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