Reviews

The Witches by Roald Dahl

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sams84's review against another edition

5.0

Another funny yet scary yet entertaining book from Roald Dahl. This plays on every child's fear of the old lady next door/down the street/round the corner that they're plotting and planning a way to get rid of you. A fabulous tale of heroism and daring and of battling the unknown power of none other than the Grand High Witch.

katieliterary's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

scijessreads's review against another edition

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5.0

I grew up on Roald Dahl. But The Witches is special in its dark, sinister undertones. It revels in evil, and part of my memories of this book are tied closely to the Angelica Houston movie version. But in both cases, seeing children rise up against the witches is satisfying every time.

maries_bookverse's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

5.0

Re-Read October 2024
5 stars 🌟
Kicking off the spooky October season, I decided to revisit ‘The Witches’ by Roald Dahl—a book I first discovered during an elementary school reading project called Leselyst. We spent an entire month immersed in books, and Dahl’s stories quickly became my favorites. As a fantasy lover with a fascination for witches, ‘The Witches’ stood out from the rest. I read it hundreds of times as a child, and it never lost its magic. I remember devouring the story with equal parts fear and curiosity, and now, revisiting it as an adult, I completely understand why it left such a lasting impression!

The story follows a young boy and his grandmother who uncover a terrifying secret: witches are real, and they despise children. These witches, however, aren’t your typical broomstick-riding, pointy-hat-wearing types. They hide in plain sight, blending into society as ordinary women. But underneath their human disguise, they’re child-hungry monsters with a master plan to rid the world of children by turning them into mice! The boy and his grandmother soon find themselves up against the Grand High Witch herself, and together they must find a way to stop her wicked scheme before it’s too late.

Dahl doesn’t hold back. This is a children's book, yet it's almost barbaric—adults eating children? That’s intense! I definitely didn’t remember it being quite so terrifying, but reading it now, I’m in awe of how Dahl manages to create a book that’s both horrifying and whimsical. It strikes the perfect balance between childlike wonder and genuine horror. What’s remarkable is how Dahl masterfully writes “horror” for kids in a way that’s palatable for both young readers and adults.

This brings me to why ‘The Witches’ is a timeless classic. Dahl’s writing appeals not just to children but also to adults, and it’s not just because we have nostalgia for his books. It’s his ability to weave deeper themes into seemingly simple, even absurd stories. In ‘The Witches’, the way he depicts adults—particularly the witches—is chilling. They look like regular women, but underneath, they’re child-eating monsters, and that’s where the real horror lies. Dahl often presents adults as terrifying figures.

It’s not just the concept that keeps me hooked, though. Dahl’s language is playful, his storytelling fast-paced, and his ability to take something as cozy as a grandmother telling stories and turn it into a hair-raising tale about witches hiding in plain sight is genius. I love how Dahl doesn’t shy away from letting kids feel scared and curious. That’s what makes it all the more engaging, both when I read it as a child and now as an adult. And honestly, I’m grateful that ‘The Witches’ was part of my childhood reading because it sparked my love for books and the sheer joy of reading.

It’s the perfect kick-off to October, and I’ll always be thankful to Dahl for making reading fun—for both children and adults. ‘The Witches’ remains a favorite for its ability to entertain and terrify.

This was a delightful re-read, and I’m sure I’ll pick it up again! Some books just have that timeless charm, and The Witches is definitely one of them.