| Rowling commendably managed to maintain the same level of magic and surprise that made her first book such a hit with children and adults. "Chamber of Secrets" is a little darker and a little scarier (giant spiders in the forest remind one of Tolkien but with a different twist, although a ghost in the girls' bathroom is played as farce). New characters turn up in the form of the fatuous new professor Gilderoy Lockhart and the intriguing elf Dobby. The climax is perhaps a little less compelling than that of the first book, but maybe that's because some of the novelty has worn off. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - very upbeat FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - a powerful magician Spying & Investigations Yes What is main char. doing? - finding a killer (criminal) Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers Yes magical powers: Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14) Descript. of chases or violence - 10 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a teen If magical mental powers: - can fly - Invisibility Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Age: - long-lived adults Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - almost none How sensitive is this character? Setting Terrain Earth setting: - 20th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |
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