Jayson’s Reviews > Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets > Status Update

Any thoughts Jayson???

theCOMMENTator wrote: "Any thoughts Jayson???"

On the status update? Well, what thoughts I had are in the update. Though, I'm happy to further opine if anyone has anything to add or ask.

Excellent gif choice- another adorably awkward Ron and Hermione moment

Annie wrote: "Excellent gif choice- another adorably awkward Ron and Hermione moment"

They seem to have adorably awkward moments in every film. I love how maximally far apart they are on that handshake: there's very little slack to actually shake :)

"The Secret Chamber." That's how the book is called in Spanish "La Cámara Secreta"

I guess then the German title ist also more appropriate: "Die Kammer des Schreckens" - chamber of horror/terror.

Leon wrote: ""The Secret Chamber." That's how the book is called in Spanish "La Cámara Secreta""

Possibly the Spanish translators had the same objections I did. Lol :)

Makati wrote: "I guess then the German title ist also more appropriate: "Die Kammer des Schreckens" - chamber of horror/terror."

Things always seem more accurate when rendered in German! While I can understand how American and British publishers might think it's too scary to market to children, it's indeed a more appropriate title, especially since this book is essentially a Jack the Ripper style "murder mystery."

The chamber itself wasn't the secret. The secret, from harry's perspective, was finding out Voldemorts real name and lineage. (Also when you get to book six and you realize what the diary was) There are actually many secrets within the chamber🙂

Davina wrote: "The chamber itself wasn't the secret. The secret, from harry's perspective, was finding out Voldemorts real name and lineage. (Also when you get to book six and you realize what the diary was) Ther..."

True enough. Though in that case, it shouldn't have been referred to as "The Chamber of Secrets" from the start by students, teachers and history books. It's neither the source of any secrets nor was thought to contain any secrets, until the very end. I'm all for renaming the place after the events of this book, but beforehand it doesn't make much sense as a place name 🤷‍♂️😁

Jayson wrote: "Makati wrote: "I guess then the German title ist also more appropriate: "Die Kammer des Schreckens" - chamber of horror/terror."

Things always seem more accurate when rendered in German! While I c..."

Well, not always. I still don't understand, why they translated Sirius Black's name (Sirius Schwarz) in the first book. And only in the first book. 🤨🙈😅

Makati wrote: "Well, not always. I still don't understand, why they translated Sirius Black's name (Sirius Schwarz) in the first book. And only in the first book. 🤨🙈😅"

Lol! Possibly they took it as an adjective or nickname instead of a surname :)

I've always heard people say that 'The Chamber of Secrets' is the weakest of the 'Harry Potter' movies, and that 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' is the strongest, and for the most part I agree. I've always wondered if its true of the books as well, since it could insinuate that the TCOS is worse as an overarching story, and TPOA is better in the opposite regard.

It wouldn't surprise me too much to find out that some of J.K. Rowling's worst and best work on HP took place earlier in the series when she was still finding a solid rhythm and distinct style, while simultaneously crafting an iconic series of novels.

I’ve always professed that Chamber of Secrets was my fave Harry Potter book because it was the biggest mystery from beginning to end. Very cleverly spun and fun to try and figure out too!

Kenzie wrote: "I've always heard people say that 'The Chamber of Secrets' is the weakest of the 'Harry Potter' movies, and that 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' is the strongest, and for the most part I agree. I've alwa..."

For me, the last four books are really four parts of one really long book, which I like to call "The Voldemort is Back" saga. None of the last four books can stand alone, like the first three books can stand alone and be read independent of each other. Being so tied together, the last four books simultaneously raise each other up and weigh each other down. So, to say that the fifth book, for example, is the best or worst is to say the last four books in totality also are. That's why I think people always look to the first three books for their favorite and least favorite in the series, because it's easy to separate them from the series as a whole and assess them individually. And of the first three, I think it's common consensus that the third book is the best and the second book is the worst. Which is how I'd explain the uniformity of preference you outlined.

Kadi wrote: "I’ve always professed that Chamber of Secrets was my fave Harry Potter book because it was the biggest mystery from beginning to end. Very cleverly spun and fun to try and figure out too!"

Yes, "Chamber of Secrets" is very much a self-contained detective mystery. It's almost a prototype and precursor for Rowling's Cormoran Strike series. I can understand, if you're fond of detective novels, how it would appeal to you the most. Despite being decidedly middle-grade, it's very much a Jack the Ripper style murder mystery, where instead of finding mutilated prostitutes in dark gaslit streets, you're finding petrified students in dark torchlit hallways. "The heir of Slytherin strikes again!" and so forth. So, in that sense, along with being historically based, it's very Victorian in flavor.

Jayson wrote: "Kenzie wrote: "I've always heard people say that 'The Chamber of Secrets' is the weakest of the 'Harry Potter' movies, and that 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' is the strongest, and for the most part I a..."

I love your take. I always imagined that's how it worked in my mind, but it felt harder for me to properly articulate it. Thank you for putting it into words. This take makes the most sense to me and explains a lot about 'Harry Potter' from a storytelling perspective, and how the series shifts as the characters and audience age.

Kenzie wrote: "Jayson wrote: "Kenzie wrote: "I've always heard people say that 'The Chamber of Secrets' is the weakest of the 'Harry Potter' movies, and that 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' is the strongest, and for th..."

I'm happy I could help, Kenzie! I agree about how shifting with the audience can affect storytelling. Younger readers generally like shorter stories that are quick to read and easily digestible. As readers age, they're more inclined toward serialized storytelling and cliffhangers. I think that was Rowling's ambition to begin with, but that it was really smart to hold off on that kind of storytelling until the fourth book when existing readers would be accepting of having to wait a year at least for answers and payoffs.

I agree; it was a smart move on her part.

Kenzie wrote: "I agree; it was a smart move on her part."

😁👍