ashleylm's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was a bit strange—all over the place, scattered, and didn't really make for a coherent read. Lots of little illustrations ... it would have been perfect as one of those late 80s early 90s books with ever so many sidebars and such, but it just didn't hold together for me as a book.
That said, the author, while describing Dahl, managed to craft a terrific description of what makes a good storyteller—I actually stopped to highlight this, the first time in my life I have highlighted anything during a Kindle read. You can't quote lines to prove great storytelling, it doesn't work like that, whether Dahl or Trollope or Grisham (her suggestion, not mine). There's no easy definition:
"It's a matter of keeping up a certain pace while still allowing yourself time to realize all the possibilities along the way, so that the reader keeps turning the page but never feels short-changed and can finish the book with a sigh of satisfaction rather than exasperation."
And I think that's awfully close, except I don't think great storytelling should realize "all" the possibilities, just some of the best ones. Otherwise, she nailed the description.
Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:
(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
That said, the author, while describing Dahl, managed to craft a terrific description of what makes a good storyteller—I actually stopped to highlight this, the first time in my life I have highlighted anything during a Kindle read. You can't quote lines to prove great storytelling, it doesn't work like that, whether Dahl or Trollope or Grisham (her suggestion, not mine). There's no easy definition:
"It's a matter of keeping up a certain pace while still allowing yourself time to realize all the possibilities along the way, so that the reader keeps turning the page but never feels short-changed and can finish the book with a sigh of satisfaction rather than exasperation."
And I think that's awfully close, except I don't think great storytelling should realize "all" the possibilities, just some of the best ones. Otherwise, she nailed the description.
Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:
(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
juliakoko's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I was hesitant to read this because of recent criticisms to Roald Dahl's character, but after reading this book for what seems the hundredth time, yet for the first time as a novel study with a class, I wanted to learn more about this wonderful chocolate factory. So when I saw that my library had it, I immediately took it out.
First of all, I just want to acknowledge all the research that went into this.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the character comparisons from each illustrator, how they were adapted on screen in the two films, and the wanna-be psych theorist in me appreciated the theories of criticism chapter. It pains me to read all the criticism surrounding the 1971 movie (especially from Dahl himself) because that movie will forever be magical to me. It's amazing just how big of a franchise one idea came to be.
I was hesitant to read this because of recent criticisms to Roald Dahl's character, but after reading this book for what seems the hundredth time, yet for the first time as a novel study with a class, I wanted to learn more about this wonderful chocolate factory. So when I saw that my library had it, I immediately took it out.
First of all, I just want to acknowledge all the research that went into this.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the character comparisons from each illustrator, how they were adapted on screen in the two films, and the wanna-be psych theorist in me appreciated the theories of criticism chapter. It pains me to read all the criticism surrounding the 1971 movie (especially from Dahl himself) because that movie will forever be magical to me. It's amazing just how big of a franchise one idea came to be.
suannelaqueur's review against another edition
4.0
A delicious read for anyone who grew up on the book and the movie. So much fun.
raehink's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
jennifermreads's review
5.0
50 years? Can you believe it has been 50 years since Roald Dahl graced us with the magically wonderful Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? And 43 years since the first movie adaptation hit the screens? Where does the time go? Well, in this case, the time went to endearing this story to children across the ages.
Inside Charlie’s Chocolate Factory is an in-depth look at the book itself, the illustrators that have decorated various editions of the book’s pages, the movies and theatrical productions, and the immense effect the book has had on pop culture. I dare anyone to read this and not (a) run for a chocolate bar, and then (b) run for the book give it another re-read, and then (c) sprint for the DVD player and pop-in your copy of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!
I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in all things Charlie, Roald Dahl, and chocolate. Admittedly, I was brought to this culture/obsession via Gene Wilder and the visual fascination with the Oompa Loompas and the Chocolate Room. *gasp* I only recently read the actual book for the first time! So, even if you have not read the book but have obsessively watched the movie each time your TV remote flipped past it, you are sure to enjoy all the delicious details contained in this volume.
Ok … I’m off to dig out that chocolate bar from the depths of our cupboards …
Inside Charlie’s Chocolate Factory is an in-depth look at the book itself, the illustrators that have decorated various editions of the book’s pages, the movies and theatrical productions, and the immense effect the book has had on pop culture. I dare anyone to read this and not (a) run for a chocolate bar, and then (b) run for the book give it another re-read, and then (c) sprint for the DVD player and pop-in your copy of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!
I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in all things Charlie, Roald Dahl, and chocolate. Admittedly, I was brought to this culture/obsession via Gene Wilder and the visual fascination with the Oompa Loompas and the Chocolate Room. *gasp* I only recently read the actual book for the first time! So, even if you have not read the book but have obsessively watched the movie each time your TV remote flipped past it, you are sure to enjoy all the delicious details contained in this volume.
Ok … I’m off to dig out that chocolate bar from the depths of our cupboards …
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