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greek_book_wanderer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As a kid, I didn't read any books written by Roald Dhal, besides Matilda. I was familiar with his books and I knew that he was the author of many classic children's books, but I didn't feel the urge to read them. This year I watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and I'm not exaggerating when I'm saying that it has become one of my most favourite movies. I have watched it numerous times and I simply can't get enough of it. I knew that it was an adaptation of Roald Dhal's novel and since I was curious to read it, I decided to give it a try.
The book was really enjoyable and funny. Although I already knew what it would be about, I was still interested to see what would happen and how the story would process. The story was captivating and I almost wished I could visit Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. The novel in general was a light-hearted read and I had a great time reading it. Roald Dhal was clearly a very creative writer and I was impressed by his storytelling. From the first pages, it captured my interest and I was quickly hooked on it. The story was told in a simple and witty way and there were many humorous elements in it. The book tackled some more serious themes, such as class distinction and it explored moral messages and the difference between good and bad.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book is how it depicted different family dynamics. I liked Charlie's interactions with his family. Their unconditional love towards each other put a smile on my face and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It was refreshing to see that despite their poverty and the difficult circumstances they had to live in, they never stopped caring about each other. Compaired to the Buckets, the rest of the families didn't have the same chermisty. The children didn't seem to be very close with their parents and the elders didn't appear to care enough about them. Dhal emphasised on the importance of good parenting and families in general and it was good to see that he showed how bad parenting can impact children.
Here is an extract from Veruca Salt's song:
The book was really enjoyable and funny. Although I already knew what it would be about, I was still interested to see what would happen and how the story would process. The story was captivating and I almost wished I could visit Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. The novel in general was a light-hearted read and I had a great time reading it. Roald Dhal was clearly a very creative writer and I was impressed by his storytelling. From the first pages, it captured my interest and I was quickly hooked on it. The story was told in a simple and witty way and there were many humorous elements in it. The book tackled some more serious themes, such as class distinction and it explored moral messages and the difference between good and bad.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book is how it depicted different family dynamics. I liked Charlie's interactions with his family. Their unconditional love towards each other put a smile on my face and it made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. It was refreshing to see that despite their poverty and the difficult circumstances they had to live in, they never stopped caring about each other. Compaired to the Buckets, the rest of the families didn't have the same chermisty. The children didn't seem to be very close with their parents and the elders didn't appear to care enough about them. Dhal emphasised on the importance of good parenting and families in general and it was good to see that he showed how bad parenting can impact children.
Here is an extract from Veruca Salt's song:
But now, my dears, we think you might
Be wondering-is it really right
That every single bit of blame
And all the scolding and the shame
Should fall upon Veruca Salt?
Is she the only one at fault?
For though she's spoiled, and dreadfully so,
A girl can't spoil herself, you know.
Who spoiled her, then? Ah, who indeed?
Who pandered to her every need?
Who turned her into such a brat?
Who are the culprits? Who did that?
Alas! You needn't look so far
To find out who these sinners are.
They are (and this is very sad)
Her loving parents, Mum and Dad.
And that is why we're glad they fell
Into the garbage chute as well.
The characterisation in this book was another aspect that made me like it even more. Charlie is one of my favourite characters and I couldn't help but smile whenever he performed an act of kindness (e.g. when he tried to share his birthday chocolate with the other members of the family) and I quickly grew fond of him. Despite them being unlikeable and bratty, I found the other kids to be very intriguing. They represent cardinal flaws and they are also products of bad parenting. Willy Wonka was another interesting character. His sarcastic remarks entertained me a lot and I liked his eccentric behaviour. Though I admit that some aspects of his personality didn't sit right with me, such as him being arrogant and authoritarian at times.
There were times when I didn't like the writing, especially when Dhal repeated the same words or phrases over and over again. Here is an example of what I'm talking about:
Then a few queer rumblings were heard. Then silence again. Then suddenly, the machine let out a monstrous mighty groan, and at the same moment a tiny drawer (no
bigger than the drawer in a slot machine) popped out of the side of the machine, and in the drawer there lay something so small and thin and grey that everyone thought it must be a mistake.
I understand that since it's a children's books, the writing would be simple and repetitive, but I sometimes I would get annoyed by it (not to the point I would consider the book to be unreadable, though). I also had mixed feelings about the usage of the word "fat" and how Augustus Gloob was described in the book. There were some fatphobic and ableist sentiments in the book and although they didn't ruin my experience with the book, they gave me a weird feeling.
Had I read the book at a younger age, I would have probably connected more with it. However, I still found it enjoyable and it's one of these books that I'd like to reread if I want to ease up my mind. I knowledge the fact that it portrays some problematic ideas, as I mentioned above and even though I seperate them from the actual story, I by no means support them. It's a good choice if you want to read a fast-paced book to ease up your mind and I believe that many parents could gain something from it.
Had I read the book at a younger age, I would have probably connected more with it. However, I still found it enjoyable and it's one of these books that I'd like to reread if I want to ease up my mind. I knowledge the fact that it portrays some problematic ideas, as I mentioned above and even though I seperate them from the actual story, I by no means support them. It's a good choice if you want to read a fast-paced book to ease up your mind and I believe that many parents could gain something from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Ableism
katharina90's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
At its core Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is such a magical story that continues to bring joy to children and adults alike.
Unfortunately its flaws are impossible to ignore: repeated body shaming/fatphobia, patriarchal ideas of how women and girls ought to behave, ableist language.
Even the whitewashing of the original text (which introduced the Oompa-Loompas as Africans smuggled to the UK in crates... yikes!) doesn't obscure the icky owner-property relationship between Wonka and his factory "workers".
I'm leaving my 4 star rating in place for now but reading this book definitely involves a lot of cringing these days.
I continue to wrestle with the legacy of authors like Roald Dahl. He was a man who unashamedly held incredibly harmful views and wrote children's books that perpetuate antisemitism, racism, sexism, fatphobia and ableism.
And yet, his stories are whimsical and fun and beloved by so many.
Can we hold space for both of these truths?
Unfortunately its flaws are impossible to ignore: repeated body shaming/fatphobia, patriarchal ideas of how women and girls ought to behave, ableist language.
Even the whitewashing of the original text (which introduced the Oompa-Loompas as Africans smuggled to the UK in crates... yikes!) doesn't obscure the icky owner-property relationship between Wonka and his factory "workers".
I'm leaving my 4 star rating in place for now but reading this book definitely involves a lot of cringing these days.
I continue to wrestle with the legacy of authors like Roald Dahl. He was a man who unashamedly held incredibly harmful views and wrote children's books that perpetuate antisemitism, racism, sexism, fatphobia and ableism.
And yet, his stories are whimsical and fun and beloved by so many.
Can we hold space for both of these truths?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Ableism, Racism, and Classism
eliya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Obviously outdated. First book I’ve actually read myself and finished in like 5/6 years and it was a really easy read, some funny parts. Really frustrating that the kids in the book really didn’t do anything wrong. Very fitting for the time that the punishment very very much does not fit the crime. Poor kids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism
happenstance's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
Still a very enjoyable read but my Children's Lit class has taken some of the shine off this book for me, considering the darker history
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
xbak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia