Scan barcode
A review by myjourneywithbooks
Wonka by Sibéal Pounder, Roald Dahl
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Ever wondered about Willy Wonka's backstory?
Wonka, by Sibéal Pounder (based on the movie by the same name), sets out to do just that. And it does a fairly decent job.
The prologue introduces us to Willy Wonka as a young boy, living in absolute poverty with his mother. Willy, however, sees his life as grand, bolstered by an imagination that is nurtured by his mother. The highlight of his life is the chocolate his mother makes for his birthday after scrounging for ingredients throughout every year. Willy's dream is to one day open a shop selling the most amazing chocolates. And seven years later, after a life at sea, that's exactly what he sets out to do. But he has to overcome many obstacles first, like a trio of conniving chocolatiers and being tricked into a lifetime of work and imprisonment in a wash-house. Willy will need some luck, a lot of magic and his newfound friends to get out of this sticky situation.
I haven't watched the movie but from what I've seen of the trailer, the book seems to be almost an exact replica, down to the dialogue and everything. That doesn't mean the book is anything to be looked down upon; it takes some skill to turn a screen adaptation into a book, especially to describe the settings and to give life to the characters with just your words. The writing, the character and the humour, though not exactly on the same level as that of Roald Dahl, is still quite reminiscent of it. One of my only complaints is that I wish there had been more about the Oompa Loompa.
Wonka, by Sibéal Pounder (based on the movie by the same name), sets out to do just that. And it does a fairly decent job.
The prologue introduces us to Willy Wonka as a young boy, living in absolute poverty with his mother. Willy, however, sees his life as grand, bolstered by an imagination that is nurtured by his mother. The highlight of his life is the chocolate his mother makes for his birthday after scrounging for ingredients throughout every year. Willy's dream is to one day open a shop selling the most amazing chocolates. And seven years later, after a life at sea, that's exactly what he sets out to do. But he has to overcome many obstacles first, like a trio of conniving chocolatiers and being tricked into a lifetime of work and imprisonment in a wash-house. Willy will need some luck, a lot of magic and his newfound friends to get out of this sticky situation.
I haven't watched the movie but from what I've seen of the trailer, the book seems to be almost an exact replica, down to the dialogue and everything. That doesn't mean the book is anything to be looked down upon; it takes some skill to turn a screen adaptation into a book, especially to describe the settings and to give life to the characters with just your words. The writing, the character and the humour, though not exactly on the same level as that of Roald Dahl, is still quite reminiscent of it. One of my only complaints is that I wish there had been more about the Oompa Loompa.