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This is the second book in the Harry Potter series, and the one that I tried to
read first. I gave up after a couple of tries, and found that this novel
could only be unlocked by going through
The
Philosopher's Stone. The Chamber of Secrets is the novel that sets up
the pattern for much that will come later. Rowling quickly settles into
the yearly cycle that characterises all the books. One year, Lord
Voldemort is going to have to surprise us all by turning up in the autumn term,
and catch Harry Potter when he's napping. Like
The
Prisoner of Azkaban, this book starts off on Harry's birthday. It's
the summer, so Harry is trapped at 'home' with the Durselys. He starts to
question his fabulous year at Hogwarts when he finds that nobody has remembered
his birthday. He does get a visit from a masochistic house elf though.
Dobby implores Harry not to return to Hogwarts, or something nasty will happen
to him. It's not long before Ron Weasley arrives in a flying Ford Anglia
to rescue Harry. Arthur Weasley, who works for the Ministry of Magic,
enchanted the car, but it's beyond the letter of the magic law he wrote himself
to actually fly the car. Just as well then, that Arthur Weasley wasn't
around when Hagrid rescued the baby Harry by borrowing Sirius Black's flying
motorbike.
The Weasleys take care of Harry and they all go to Diagon Alley to buy more
stuff for the oncoming school year. Harry is thrust into the limelight at
one of Gilderoy Lockhart's book signing sessions. Gilderoy Lockhart is the
Delia Smith of Wizardry, but having all his books as prescribed texts at
Hogwarts also helps them sell. Gilderoy snatches a photo opportunity with
Harry to proclaim the good news that he is set to become the new Defence against
Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. It's not long before Hermione is swooning
at the mere sight of the charming Gilderoy. Less charming is the
malodorous Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father. He and Arthur get into a fight
at Flourish and Botts. Apparently, the Malfoys believe that some wizarding
families are better than others. Harry and Ron set off to get on board the
Hogwarts Express as usual, but find that they cannot get on.
Still, who needs a train when you've got a flying Ford Anglia? After a
slight disagreement with a Whomping Willow and Snape, Ron and Harry are safely
housed at Hogwarts. There are a few, new, junior members of the school,
namely Ginny, the younger sister of Ron, who blushes furiously every time she
sees Harry. There's the less welcome Colin Creevey, who's always flashing
with his camera, and, of course, the publicity shy Gilderoy Lockhart. Like
Joanne Harris, J K Rowling appears at times to be uneasy about her fame.
Of course, this is only the second Harry Potter book, but already Rowling seems
to have an inclination of just how big Hogwarts is going to get. No doubt
she's warning herself to never become as shallow as Lockhart. Those who
accuse Harry Potter of plagiarism would be better placed to accuse Gilderoy
Lockhart instead. Rowling does use many literary references, but she does
so subtly. For instance, the writing on the wall that the Chamber of
Secrets has been opened was very reminiscent of the fall of Babylon in the
Bible, even down to the feast (although, I'm pretty sure that there was no
petrified cat at Babylon). Rowling also seems to have been delving into
Thomas Bulfinch's The Age of Fable, especially where the Basilisk is concerned.
Evidence of the intricacies of Rowling's larger plot are there to see. We
learn why Hagrid was expelled, we get a hint of what Azkaban is like (useful for
the next book), and see more of Hagrid's favourite pets. Rowling is not as
understanding of spiders as Barbara Kingsolver in
Prodigal Summer.
Rowling's knowledge of Herbology is as thorough as ever, and the mandrake plants
are amusingly rendered from fable, albeit in the company of pink earmuffs.
All in all, a satisfactory sequel.
authortrek rating: 8/10
Kevin Patrick Mahoney
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Draco Dormiens Numquam Titillandus -
the Hogwarts shield means “Never tickle a sleeping dragon”. J. K. Rowling wanted
something more direct and pertinent than most school mottoes
Gilderoy - the
Scots ballad featuring the extraordinary robber who inspired part of Lockhart's
name. Gilderoy was a very handsome robber. Lockhart is also a thief
Name Puns -
more on Gilderoy Lockhart's name and others
Gilderoy - more on the famous
robber
The Clan Lockhart
- as well as being a town in Australia, this is a traditional Scottish name
Gad-about - a definition of
'gadding' (as in "Gadding with Ghouls")
Mandrake - a definition:
"Another superstition connected with this plant is that a small dose makes a
person vain of his beauty, and conceited; but that a large dose makes him an
idiot" - maybe Lockhart has been partaking of some?
Mandrake - a
further definition
The Writing on the Wall -
foretold the imminent demise of Babylon. J K Rowling has the opening of
the Chamber of Secrets announced on a wall in a similar scene after a Hogwarts
feast. Apparently, there were no petrified cats in Babylon
Lacewing Flies -
what they're like
Fluxweed - a description
Knotgrass -
more herbology
Bicorn - a
mythical beast
Boomslang - all you ever
wanted to know about this South African Snake
The Riddle Family - Rowling
utlises another Scots name
Basilisk - all about the King
of serpents
The Cockatrice - is another
name for Basilisk. It's possible that Rowling has been dipping into Thomas
Bulfich's "The Age of Fable"
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Visit our J K
Rowling page for J K Rowling biography, J K Rowling bibliography, J
K Rowling articles, and J K Rowling interviews, |
