Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Mass market paperbound - 2002
by J. K. Rowling
About this book
Reader reviews for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Review summary
Readers broadly enjoyed Chamber of Secrets as a lively continuation, noting stronger mystery elements, darker stakes, and a noticeable step up in prose. Gilderoy Lockhart’s comic turn earned frequent praise, Dobby was beloved by many and grating to some, and the book’s themes of prejudice and identity were highlighted as a meaningful deepening of the series. Opinions split on overall ranking: some preferred it to the debut, while many called it their least favorite yet still worthwhile. Common critiques cited a slower middle, a rushed climax, occasional deus ex machina, and world?building inconsistencies. The story’s scares (basilisk, spiders) were flagged for younger readers, but it remained a popular family read?aloud and a nostalgic reread. Audiobook performances by Stephen Fry and Jim Dale drew strong approval, while a few reviewers raised objections to the author alongside continued admiration for the storytelling.
Readers say this book is:
entertainingsuspensefuldarkerfunnynostalgicuneven pacingrushed endingimmersive worldbuildingfamily read?alouddivisive charactersWrite a review for this book
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From the publisher
First edition identification
The first edition of Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets was published in the UK by Bloomsbury, in 1998. "First published in Great Britain in 1998" is stated on the copyright page with a number line of “10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1”, and the printer stated as "Clays Ltd, St Ives plc”.
The boards are illustrated to match the dust jacket, which has a price of £10.99 on the bottom corner of the front flap. The two reviews printed on the dust jacket were by The Sunday Times, and The Independent on Saturday. Early printings lack the Hogwarts logo on the copyright page which was later added to hardcover editions. First printings of the paperback edition do have the logo.
Printed in 1999 by Scholastic Press, the first US edition of Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets is also very valued in the book market. The copyright page has the full number line "10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 9/9 0/0 1 2 3 4". "First American edition, June 1999" is stated on the same page. Boards are in blue with an embossed diamond pattern and a green cloth spine. The original price was $17.95.
Note - there are book club editions that have the same full number line, but they don’t have the diamond pattern on the boards.
Details
- Title Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Author J. K. Rowling
- Binding Mass Market Paperbound
- Edition [ Edition: Repri
- Pages 448
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Scholastic Paperbacks, New York, NY, U.S.A.
- Publication date 2002-11
- ISBN 9780439420105 / 0439420105
- Weight 0.46 lbs (0.21 kg)
- Dimensions 6.73 x 4.22 x 1.16 in (17.09 x 10.72 x 2.95 cm)
- Age range 08 to UP years
- Grade levels 3 - UP
- Category Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction
- Library of Congress subjects England, Magic
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
by Rowling, J. K., Rowling, J.K
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by Rowling, J. K
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by Rowling, J. K
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Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
by Rowling, J.K
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