harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban book review essay

Book Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Book review: harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban by j.k. rowling.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, written by J.K. Rowling, is the third book in the phenomenal Harry Potter series. The genre of this book is fantasy, which involves magic, spells, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I chose this book because the whole series is incredible, and J.K. Rowling is by far one of the all-time greatest authors in the world. The adventure of Harry Potter, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, takes place in Hogwarts, home to many young wizards and witches.

In their third year, Harry is forced to go on another roller coaster ride with many challenges that occur in the book. The plot starts when Sirius Black, a convicted murderer, escapes from the prison of Azkaban. As Harry learns about Sirius Black’s unforgivable past, his emotions start to rise and boil. As the book twists and turns, it follows Harry in his magical world not only with his friends Ron and Hermione, but also with the troubles that occur. The Dementors (huge cloaked black figures that float in the air) play a huge part in the story.

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As a precaution, Dementors are put on Hogwarts grounds to catch Sirius Black and protect the students and teachers of Hogwarts. A new teacher is also introduced in this story, Professor Remus Lupin, who teaches “Defence Against the Dark Arts”. Lupin also becomes very close to Harry. My favourite part of the story was when Harry caught the Snitch in the Quidditch Finals against the Slytherins. The main characters in this book include Harry, Ron, Hermione, Sirius Black, Professor Lupin, Dumbledore (Headmaster), Professor Snape, and Hagrid (Keeper of the Keys and Grounds Keeper).

As a reader, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban could well possibly be my favourite book. It is also, in my opinion, the best Harry Potter book J.K. Rowling has ever written. The storyline of this book flows very well and every aspect of the book is detailed. There was not a single bit of this book that I did not enjoy. The book can be described as funny, adventurous, quirky, and very imaginative. I score this book 10/10, and I give it 5 stars. I would recommend this book to children and parents ages 7+.

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

By j.k. rowling.

Many reviews have lauded 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' for being one of the best Harry Potter books ever written, especially for its bold shift from children's storytelling to elements of gritty realism.

Article written by Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

‘ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ‘ is one of the most well-received books in the entire series. Its movie adaptation, ‘ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ‘ is certainly the most critically acclaimed Harry Potter movie ever made. While the latter may be due to the skillful directing prowess of Alfonso Cuarón, there is no denying that the book is popular solely because of how well Rowling established herself as a writer with a confident voice that can explore dark and gritty boundaries in the plot without fearing rejection of the manuscript.

While the concept of Harry Potter and the world of magic in itself is very interesting, it is the later books, starting from ‘ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ‘ that showed the true potential of this series as not just a children’s book series, but also as a series that children would grow up loving and learning crucial lessons of life from.

Blind Spots of the Law

One of the most essential ideas that this book address is the nature of law and its fallibility. It is very clear from the occurrences of this book that the law doesn’t always protect the innocent. Instead, it sometimes just looks for the easiest explanation that fits into its idea of who the culprit is and just claims judgment. Sometimes, the actual culprits easily escape trial, and the innocent are punished.

Sirius Black, as it is eventually found out, is not at fault at all, and is grieving the deaths of two of his closest friends, when he is arrested and placed in the Azkaban prison for betraying these friends and being a supporter of Voldemort . Furthermore, he is also accused of killing Peter Pettigrew, the very person who actually betrayed Lily and James Potter and beat a hasty retreat.

The law doesn’t seem to care or listen to anything Sirius has to say, neither do the closest people to Sirius, who are hoodwinked by the authoritative nature of the law to believe that he must be guilty. This is the blind spot of the law that it cannot always protect the innocent, not if they are made to look guilty.

Another place where this problem arrives is when Buckbeak is accused of attacking Draco Malfoy and sentenced to death. Clearly, it was Draco Malfoy’s fault, as is evident from his actions. He was told to not insult the Hippogriff and to approach it slowly, but he ridiculed it and made fun of it. Furthermore, despite being only slightly bruised, he made a big deal out of his injury, involving his powerful father to speak in favor of sentencing Buckbeak to death. Eventually, the law complied. Not only because of Malfoy’s father but also because of his preconceived notions about animals being dangerous. This again is a blind spot of the law that J. K. Rowling has boldly addressed in this book.

Fear and the Dementors

Fear, in any of its forms, is one of the most unsettling and undesirable emotions. It makes us feel very vulnerable and helpless, and we usually try to avoid it whenever we are faced with something that induces it. In the story of ‘ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ,’ the dementors are creatures that feed on people’s joy and hope, making them weaker and more vulnerable with time. The dementors are a very apt and clever metaphor for depression and perpetual sorrow, something that Rowling intended when she wrote this book.

When Rowling wrote this, she was suffering great loss from the sudden death of her mother, and the periods of sorrow that kept coming back and made it difficult to live were what led to the creation of dementors in the plot. Dementors represent a dark force that takes away all that is happy and the ability to be happy again and leaves behind fear, doubt, and sorrow.

The only way to overcome the dementors is to cast a Patronus, which in essence, is an imprint or projection of what makes our ‘self’ happy and worth living for. There are always going to be difficulties and struggles in life, but recalling the moments that we crave to go back to or memories that made us really happy helps us focus on what to be grateful for and what to hope for instead of what to fear. This is one of the best ways to triumph over fear.

Friendship and Betrayal

A very strong theme to touch upon in a children’s book, betrayal of friendship is a sad and undesirable but very real effect. Friendship is a very strong bond of mutual reciprocation that keeps one happy, strong, and content in life. Friendship, as has been addressed in the first two Harry Potter books, can be a great thing because until Harry met Ron and Hermione, or even Hagrid, he didn’t have any friends, and he really enjoys his life after he met them.

In ‘ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ,’ Rowling delves deeper into the trope of friendship by also bringing in the rare case of betrayal. Although friendship is a pure bond based on trust, there are times when this bond is broken by people who do not understand the true meaning of friendship.

Rowling uses the example of Peter Pettigrew to illustrate this harsh reality, warning young readers to understand these complexities instead of ignoring them and getting hurt later. Peter betrayed both James and Lily and eventually got them killed. Furthermore, when confronted by Sirius, he made it look like he got killed and escaped, leaving Sirius to take his place as the culprit of all the crimes Peter committed.

What are some symbols in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban?

There are several significant symbols in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Some of them include the dementors who represent fear, the grim , which could signify irrational fears that scare us despite no real threat being there. Another symbol is the time turner worn in a necklace form which could represent the immense value of time.

How did Peter Pettigrew escape from Sirius Black?

When Sirius Black confronted Peter for betraying James and Lily Potter, he loudly claimed that Sirius had betrayed the Potters for the onlookers to see, but when Sirius tried to catch him, he used an explosive curse that ended up killing twelve muggles , leaving a crater on the road and diverted everyone enough for him to turn into his rat form and easily escape without being noticed.

How did Remus Lupin become a werewolf?

Remus Lupin is a very interesting and likable character in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. When he was a boy, he was bitten by another werewolf called Fenrir Greyback and therefore turned into a werewolf.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - One of the best Harry Potter Books

Book Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Book Description: 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' stands out for weaving complex themes into a children's narrative, skillfully incorporating motifs like time travel and rebellion.

Book Author: J.K. Rowling

Book Edition: First Edition

Book Format: Hardcover

Publisher - Organization: Bloomsbury Publishing

Date published: July 8, 1999

Illustrator: Cliff Wright

ISBN: 978-0-7475-4225-6

Number Of Pages: 422

• Writing Style
• Lasting Effect on the Reader

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Book Review

‘ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ is one of the best Harry Potter books ever written because it incorporates a multitude of themes and ideas into a children’s novel and makes it a way bolder book than the others. Its ability to still be a children’s book but impart some grounded realities of life into the reader makes it quite an exceptional and skilfully written book. Its plot makes use of several interesting motifs including time travel, imprisonment, revenge and rebellious rule-breaking.

• It is a very strongly written book with a lot of life lessons for children.
• It teaches both about friendship as well as how to make good friends without hesitating to highlight the latter.
• It has several key plot lines making it more engrossing for the reader.
• It may be very gritty and dark for some readers, especially considering the first two books which were way more mild.
• It has some plot holes which might reduce its credit as a contender for a great book.
• It is still a one sided account of the enmity between the Marauders and Snape, making it very biased for the reader.

Harry Potter Quiz

Summon your wit and wisdom—our Harry Potter Trivia Quiz awaits you! Do you have the knowledge to claim the title of Master Witch or Wizard? Take the challenge now!

1) Who is the Half-Blood Prince?

2) What is the core ingredient of the wand owned by Harry Potter?

3) Which object is NOT one of the Deathly Hallows?

4) What is the name of the goblin who helps Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into Gringotts?

5) What potion is known as "Liquid Luck"?

6) What are the dying words of Severus Snape in both the book and the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"?

7) Which creature can transform into a person's worst fear?

8) Who originally owned the Elder Wand before Dumbledore won it?

9) What specific type of dragon does Harry face during the Triwizard Tournament?

10) What is the name of the goblin-made object that is supposed to bring its owner prosperity, but also brings them into conflict with goblins?

11) What was the last Horcrux to be destroyed?

12) What is Dumbledore's full name?

13) Who was the Peverell brother that owned the invisibility cloak?

14) What animal represents Hufflepuff house?

15) Which character is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts?

16) What creature is Aragog?

17) What is the name of the train that takes students to Hogwarts?

18) What is the effect of the Cheering Charm?

19) Who teaches Herbology at Hogwarts?

20) What is the name of Harry Potter's pet owl?

21) In the "Order of the Phoenix," who is NOT a member of the original Order of the Phoenix shown in the old photograph that Moody shows Harry?

22) What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?

23) Which potion did Hermione brew in her second year that allowed her, Ron, and Harry to assume the identities of Slytherins?

24) Which spell is used to open the Marauder's Map?

25) What does the incantation "Obliviate" do?

26) What is the name of the book Hermione gives to Harry before his first ever Quidditch match?

27) What does the Mirror of Erised show?

28) In which Harry Potter book does Harry first speak Parseltongue?

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About Mohandas Alva

Mohandas is very passionate about deciphering the nature of language and its role as a sole medium of storytelling in literature. His interests sometimes digress from literature to philosophy and the sciences but eventually, the art and craft of narrating a significant story never fail to thrill him.

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Book Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

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A Review of The Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban

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8 July 1999

J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter

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Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

The book in one sentence:  As Harry begins his third year at Hogwarts, he is warned about Sirius Black, one of Voldemort’s supporters who has broken out of Azkaban prison and is looking for revenge.

Rating :  Island collection

Long story long : Rereading the Harry Potter series has been both thrilling and nostalgic. It’s incredible how well the stories have held up over the past 20-something years, and how much of our lives they continue to influence (I mean, I still haven’t given up on my Hogwarts letter).

Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite book so far because it marks a turning point in the seven-book series. It has some of the darkest material we’ve seen– what with an escaped convict, an execution, the return of Voldemort’s servant, and all the Dementors– and more importantly, it connects Harry’s life in Hogwarts to the larger wizarding world outside.

We get glimpses of this world in the first two books, but we start to understand it better in Prisoner of Azkaban . It introduces us to Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, and to the Dementors who guard Azkaban prison, both of whom become important figures in Harry’s story. We learn about Peter Pettigrew’s betrayal and the subsequent deaths of Lily and James Potter, and we meet Harry’s godfather, Sirius Black, who is one of the few people who intimately knew his parents.

Just as in Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets , the identity of the villain is masked until the very end. While all signs seem to point to Sirius, it’s later revealed that they in fact point to Pettigrew, a Death Eater who told Voldemort where to find the Potters. I mentioned in my last review that I was afraid the plots in subsequent books would become too formulaic; they all tend to follow the “we-think-it’s-person-A-but-really-it’s-person-B” narrative. Prisoner of Azkaban continues that trend, and the reveal is slightly more predictable having just read the first two books. However, the ending is also extremely satisfying.

Finding out that Pettigrew has been an Animagus all along comes as a shock (although we’ve seen Scabbers behaving unusually throughout the book), as does finding out that Sirius went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Despite the fact that Pettigrew betrayed his parents, Harry doesn’t let Lupin and Sirius kill him, saying he didn’t think his dad would want them to turn into murderers. When Harry feels responsible for Pettigrew’s escape, Dumbledore tells him he did a noble thing, that Voldemort now has a servant who owes Harry his life. He says, “This is magic at its deepest, its most impenetrable.” This is the second example of magic held in/between bodies, born out of a very strong emotion rather than a wand or incantation. Pettigrew’s guilt will come to protect Harry from Voldemort, not unlike the way Lily’s love protected Harry as a baby. It’s fun to think about how magic first originated in this universe, and how it’s classified (no doubt all students learn this in Professor Binn’s History of Magic class). I also wonder how this type of “emotive magic” will manifest moving forward.

But returning to Dumbledore for a moment, I wonder why he didn’t insist on being the Potters’ Secret-Keeper himself, even after James told him that Sirius would rather die than betray his friends. I came to the conclusion that: 1) James knew Dumbledore would be controlling (similar to how Harry feels in Order of the Phoenix ) and he wanted his freedom, and 2) James placed an incredibly high value on friendship and would have considered it dishonorable to not trust his closest friends.

In spite of (or perhaps because of) the dark tones in this story, Rowling nudges us towards the light. We’re with Harry as he learns how to fight Dementors by conjuring a powerful Patronus Charm, which requires the witch or wizard to concentrate on the happiest moment of their life. Harry, who lived quite a miserable life with the Dursleys for 11 years, can think of a number of happy memories: the day he learned he’s a wizard (“I’m a wot??”), winning the House Cup for Gryffindor, and the idea of leaving Privet Drive forever to go live with Sirius. I thought about what my happiest memory was…and I’m a little embarrassed to say I couldn’t think of one. When was I the happiest I’ve ever been? I don’t know. I mean, I know I’ve been happy, but the happiest ? I’ll have to think about it some more. Unlike 13-year old Harry, almost-30-year-old Me has a lot more life experience to sift through.

As is probably evident, I enjoyed Prisoner of Azkaban a lot. While it leaves you with more questions than answers (e.g., Why was Voldemort looking for the Potters in the first place? Where do Dementors come from? How will Pettigrew repay his debt to Harry? How does time travel work in the Harry Potter universe?– more on this last one later!), it moves the story along quite a bit, and sets up the events in the next book nicely.

What are your thoughts on Prisoner of Azkaban ? Share them in the comments section! I’ll end this review with some of my favorite quotes from this book:

“What are you doing Muggle Studies for?” said Ron, rolling his eyes at Harry. “You’re a Muggle-born! Your mum and dad are Muggles! You already know all about Muggles!” But it’ll be fascinating to study them from the Wizarding point of view,” said Hermione earnestly.

“Hermione, I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately!” said Ron, astounded. “First you hit Malfoy, then you walk out on Professor Trelawney–” Hermione looked rather flattered.

“He– he was taking over everywhere!” gasped Pettigrew. “W- what was there to be gained by refusing him?” “What was there to be gained by fighting the most evil wizard who has ever existed?” said Black, with a terrible fury in his face. “Only innocent lives, Peter!”

“Didn’t make any difference?” said Dumbledore quietly. “It made all the difference in the world, Harry. You helped uncover the truth.”

“You think the dead we have loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don’t recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?”

“He was my mum and dad’s best friend. He’s a convicted murderer, but he’s broken out of Wizard prison and he’s on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though…keep up with my news…check if I’m happy…”

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Book Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban is about Harry’s 3rd year at Hogwarts. Along with friends Ron and Hermione, Harry investigates the case of Sirius Black, an escaped prisoner from Azkaban, the wizard prison. Sirius Black is believed to be one of Voldemort's allies, and he is the only wizard ever to escape Azkaban, so he is definitely powerful. Harry Potter then overhears that Sirius Black wants to kill him.

This book is full of creeps and chills, like in one part, the train to Hogwarts is stopped because of terrible flying things that can suck out your soul. Because of these soul-suckers, Harry almost dies, but in the end, Harry learns a lot about himself, his parents, and friends (both of his, and his parents’).

But this book is still full of interest. In a memorable moment, Harry Potter flies on a Hippogriff, which is a hybrid between a horse and eagle. In another part, The Prisoner of Azkaban goes from fantasy to sci-fi, because of time travel, where Harry goes back in time to save himself.

With the adventurous and scary parts in perfect balance, this book is a good read, and personally, it is my favorite book in the whole series.

Book review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Continuing my Harry Potter reread and review sees me next reviewing The Prisoner of Azkaban. This is the third book in the series and sees our three heroes return back to Hogwarts ready for another year not knowing the massive discoveries they’re going to uncover and the new friends they’re going to make over the coming year. Is the Prisoner of Azkaban the first where things really start to get good?

Please note that this article contains affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban via any of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate links do not have an effect on my final opinion of the product.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third instalment in the wildly successful Harry Potter series (if there ever was an understatement). This book sees the series take a slightly more dangerous and darker turn, introducing some incredibly important characters from Harry’s past that shows us a peek into where the rest of the series is going to take us.

The Prisoner of Azkaban plot – 4.5/5

I know a lot of people that would state Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as having their favourite plot from the series. It features some really big and important moments for the future of the series and introduces us to some characters who will have a real impact on Harry and those around him.

In a similar vein to Chamber of Secrets , Prisoner of Azkaban starts off with Harry having a slightly less than usual end to his summer. The book starts off with Harry accidentally inflating his Aunt after she insults his parents and so Harry takes off and runs away. After an enjoyable ride on the magical Night Bus, Harry finds out that a dark and dangerous wizard, Sirius Black, has escaped from Azkaban, the most secure wizarding prison there is. The images make him out to be very powerful with the rumours being that he wants to find and kill Harry. It all starts off quite dark but eventually things lighten up as Harry reunites with Ron and Hermione and they return to Hogwarts. However, as with all previous years, things start to take a turn for the worse when Harry arrives to see Dementors patrolling the grounds. Without spoiling too much more, there are a lot more big introductions in this novel that, if you’ve read the later books, you’ll notice stick around.

I would have to say this is one of the smarter Harry Potter books. It’s not filled with quite as much action as the other two previous editions but it certainly has an ending that will shock and surprise many who’ve not read it before. As I stated before, it is certainly the book in the series that takes things down a slightly darker route. Things start to become far more serious and the real danger the threesome could be in has now ramped up. Rowling does a brilliant job in this third instalment without having to jump on the same tropes she has in the previous two books.

The Prisoner of Azkaban characters – 4.5/5

As I stated with the previous books, one of the best things about these books is the characters. The comradery seen between Ron, Harry and Hermione is like nothing we’ve rarely seen in fiction since. The friendship they have and the utmost respect they have for one another is simply unparalleled.

To add to their great chemistry, some big names are introduced in this book – including Professor Remus Lupin, a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher and of course Sirius Black. Both of them will have huge roles to play in the future. You instantly fall in love with Lupin as he’s one of the first and few teachers who appear to be on Harry’s side and want him to succeed.

The Prisoner of Azkaban summary – 4/5

Now, there may be some controversy in my final decision here, but hear me out: yes, Prisoner of Azkaban is a great addition to the Harry Potter universe, one that I myself have described as “one of the smarter Harry Potter books”. But there’s a real lack of anything really happening in the middle of the book. Yes, the introduction to some great new characters and the great ending make for a really satisfying end to the book but there is definitely a lack of real depth in the middle.

This is a great Harry Potter book but, as a story in itself, it’s not something I would deem five stars. However, don’t let this dissuade you from carrying on. It’s not a bump on the road, it’s merely a little crack and an important one at that.

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The latest book reviews and book news, harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban: book review.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

The third novel in the Harry Potter series is Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling. As Harry returns to Hogwarts for his third year, he is pursued by the escaped prisoner, Sirius Black. Harry learns about how his parents were killed and wants revenge no matter what. Keep reading to find out what else to expect in this novel!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Summary

Harry Potter gets into a heated argument with his aunt and uncle and leaves home as a result. Luckily for him, Sirius Black has escaped jail and is reportedly after him which leads to the Ministry of Magic helping Harry until he returns to Hogwarts. The third school year is different as Dementors, wraithlike dark creatures, are roaming around Hogwarts to prevent Black from entering.

A new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher named Lupin helps Harry defend himself as Harry passes out when Dementors are around him. Divination professor Sybill Trelawney irritates Harry and his friends by constantly predicting Harry’s life to be in danger. And lastly, Harry and his Quidditch team practice nonstop so they can finally win the Quidditch cup.

As Harry navigates his third year, he feels suffocated with all the teachers trying to keep him safe. Sirius Black has been spotted on campus and Harry learns who betrayed his parents to the Dark Lord. Follow Harry as he tries to balance his school life and his personal feelings in a hectic third school year at Hogwarts. 

It is yet another horrible school year for Harry . One more person is allegedly after Harry and it makes his life more chaotic than usual. It is hard to say what is normal for Harry since he hasn’t had a normal life ever since he found he was a wizard. Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban and security around Harry tightens…somewhat. But that is the normal is this universe at this point.

The third year is much busier and we get more details about the classes, something that the previous books lacked. And I did enjoy that. Seeing them learn other stuff besides Defense against the Dark Arts (which they haven’t learned much in class) makes it feel like a real school experience. The timeskip to Christmas and the finals still happens to fast in my opinion.

There are several plot twists that seem too big to not have been solved beforehand. If only the wizard world had detectives and police instead of Dementors that crave suffering and pain. Harry and his friends have solved a lot of the mysteries and they are not even 13!

That is my take for this novel. It is mostly humourous and stuff that I enjoy thinking too much. I will try to read the fourth book by the end of the month or early August so be on the lookout for that!

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

By j.k. rowling, harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban study guide.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third novel in J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. In this book, the saga continues as Harry is faced with dementors, the soul-sucking guards of Azkaban prison that bring icy depression into the wizarding world. The dementors are sent to guard the grounds of Hogwarts upon the escape of Sirius Black , the most wanted wizard of the age. Harry befriends a hippogriff, a huge winged lion, and learns deep secrets about his past, kept hidden from him by his closest guardians.

The novel was published on July 8, 1999, in the United Kingdom by Bloomsbury. Scholastic Inc. published it in the United States on September 8, 1999, two months after the release in the UK. In the UK, it sold 68,000 copies in the first three days of release and since has sold over three million copies in the country. The first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , took five years to complete writing, while the second, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , took two years for Rowling. But she said this book, The Prisoner of Azkaban , was quite easy to write, taking only a year to finish. Rowling added that this book was "the best writing experience I ever had… I was in a very comfortable place writing [number] three. Immediate financial worries were over, and press attention wasn't yet by any means excessive" (Puig). It won several awards, including the 1999 Whitbread Children's Book Award, the Bram Stoker Award, and the 2000 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

Upon the novel's release, The New York Times said that " The Prisoner of Azkaban may be the best 'Harry Potter' book yet." Others praised Rowling’s wit and charm in the story, while some detractors thought the plot was predictable and lacking in suspense. The book was eventually made into a major motion picture in 2004, ranking number one in the box office for its first two weeks in theaters. Many different editions were printed, including hardcovers, adult editions with a different cover than the original, and a Celebratory Edition, with a blue and purple border around the book.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Harry ran away from the Dursleys' house after he (blank)---.

Harry Potter ran away from the Dursleys' after he turns Aunt Marge into a human balloon.

How does the story address issues of prejudice, discrimination and oppression?

Check out the themes below:

https://www.gradesaver.com/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban/study-guide/themes

Who’s life did Harry save even thought he did not want to?

I think that was Pettigrew.

Study Guide for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban study guide contains a biography of J.K. Rowling, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Summary
• Character List

Essays for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling.

• ‘Life’ and ‘Death’ Upside Down in Harry Potter Series
• The Many Forms and Effects of Imprisonment as Presented by The Handmaid’s Tale and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Emotional Development in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Harry Potter and the End of Perfect Tales: Building up to 'Goblet of Fire'