Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Book Review: HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF ASKABAN by JK Rowling

Harry and his friends go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the third year. Just before they get back to school, a prisoner – Sirius Black – escapes the wizard prison, Askaban. He is supposed to be a crazy murderer and from Lord Voldemort’s side. Is that the truth?

Then there is Buckbeak, the hippogriff – yet another fantastical creature brought to the school by Hagrid. While Hagrid is absolutely fascinated by such beasts, the school students – especially those belonging to Slytherin – Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle – don’t agree. Black and Buckbeak are both in danger of being killed by the Ministry Of Magic officials. Will Harry and his friends be able to save them?

For the first time, the students have a good – no, great – defense against the dark arts teacher in the form of Professor Lupin. But, what they don’t know is that he is a werewolf. While Snape helps Lupin with the perfectly made potion so that the latter feels better, the former can’t wait to let everyone know that Lupin is a werewolf.

Ron and Harry also take up the new subject, Divination, much to their regret. Professor Trelawney keeps predicting Harry’s death during every class. If she had had her way, Harry would have died a few hundred times during his third year.

Dementor – another magical being introduced in this book. But unlike most others, Dementors are horrid creatures that suck the happiness out of souls and if allowed the souls themselves. Harry learns to make a ‘patronus’ to chase away the dementors. There is no witch or wizard his age who could produce a full-fledged patronus.

Hermione takes up three times as many subjects as the rest of the other students. While Ron and Harry wonder how she manages to get to all her classes, they realize towards the end of the year that she uses a time-turner that takes her back in time to attend all the classes. Amazing bit of magic! I am sure all of us would love to own this one.

Fred and George gift Harry a special parchment – a secret marauder’s map – that helps him know where everyone is within Hogwarts. Another fascinating object that had been created by Harry’s own father and his best friends.

Coping with his lessons, dementors, Quiddich and more, read the book to see how Harry and his friends manage through this year.

Over and above, they are set a special task by Professor Dumbledore and the threesome do manage to complete that successfully too.

Fascinating book with a lot of meat and keeps you begging for more!

2 comments:

  1. you cant tell people that lupin is a werewolf, it a major suspense of the book which is revealed in the end, thank god the book was released ages ago and this review now, or you would have killed a lot of the suspense of the book.....

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  2. @Anonymous
    You are absolutely right that it is a suspense. And you are also right that the book was released many years ago. That's the reason why I mentioned it at all :)

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