Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
By Roald Dahl (Author's Website)
Publisher: Puffin Books
Published: 2007
ISBN-13: 9780141322711
208 pages
This is my first Roald Dahl book and I must say I love it! Highly imaginative and full of lessons, this book is a gem. I like the little boy Charlie very much and like most children, he is full of curiosity. He is also obedient for he listens to his parents, Mr and Mrs Bucket, and his very old grandparents. His family is poor and the seven of them live in a tiny, worn-down house. It is heartbreaking reading his family situation.
One day, Mr Willy Wonka, a well-known chocolate maker who was missing in action for a long, long time comes back into business. As we know, Mr Wonka makes all sorts of wonderful, out-of-this-world, magical sweets. His chocolate-making secrets, having been copied before by other manufacturers (that’s the reason he closed down and went ‘missing’) he now protects them by hiring a mysterious workforce when he reopens. The workers are never seen to enter or exit from his factory—very strange. The action starts when Mr Wonka launches a competition with an irresistible prize: a visit IN the factory for five children! These children will be able to see how his secret chocolates are made and their adult guardians can come with them. To win, each of them must possess the golden ticket only found in Wonka chocolates! The world, of course, launches into a chocolate-buying frenzy. But Charlie, a chocolate lover, is so poor and could not even afford a decent meal, how could he afford to buy enough chocolates to get a chance to win one of the five golden tickets?
The story gets even better when the five winners—all from different backgrounds and attitudes—get their tour in the factory. Four of them are spoilt brats in their unique ways, and the fifth one is Charlie (of course he got in)! What an experience each of these children and their parents (except Charlie for he brought his grandfather) go through! From the way Mr Wonka talks (as evident in the writing), he is an enthusiastic person. There are lots of exclamation marks punctuating his sentences and italics to emphasis his points. Besides all the intriguing stuff, the children also discover who the workers are. It is interesting to see how the children’s mischief gets them into trouble in the factory.
I love how Roald Dahl weaves the magical story so wonderfully and it was funny reading about the four obnoxious children. More interesting is how each ‘weird’ incidence that happens during the tour is in direct relation to their naughtiness. Watch out for the twist towards the ending, too, because there is more to things than just the factory tour. This is an amazing tale. Now, I must go watch the movie of the same title starring the scrumdiddlyumptious Johnny Depp...
One day, Mr Willy Wonka, a well-known chocolate maker who was missing in action for a long, long time comes back into business. As we know, Mr Wonka makes all sorts of wonderful, out-of-this-world, magical sweets. His chocolate-making secrets, having been copied before by other manufacturers (that’s the reason he closed down and went ‘missing’) he now protects them by hiring a mysterious workforce when he reopens. The workers are never seen to enter or exit from his factory—very strange. The action starts when Mr Wonka launches a competition with an irresistible prize: a visit IN the factory for five children! These children will be able to see how his secret chocolates are made and their adult guardians can come with them. To win, each of them must possess the golden ticket only found in Wonka chocolates! The world, of course, launches into a chocolate-buying frenzy. But Charlie, a chocolate lover, is so poor and could not even afford a decent meal, how could he afford to buy enough chocolates to get a chance to win one of the five golden tickets?
The story gets even better when the five winners—all from different backgrounds and attitudes—get their tour in the factory. Four of them are spoilt brats in their unique ways, and the fifth one is Charlie (of course he got in)! What an experience each of these children and their parents (except Charlie for he brought his grandfather) go through! From the way Mr Wonka talks (as evident in the writing), he is an enthusiastic person. There are lots of exclamation marks punctuating his sentences and italics to emphasis his points. Besides all the intriguing stuff, the children also discover who the workers are. It is interesting to see how the children’s mischief gets them into trouble in the factory.
I love how Roald Dahl weaves the magical story so wonderfully and it was funny reading about the four obnoxious children. More interesting is how each ‘weird’ incidence that happens during the tour is in direct relation to their naughtiness. Watch out for the twist towards the ending, too, because there is more to things than just the factory tour. This is an amazing tale. Now, I must go watch the movie of the same title starring the scrumdiddlyumptious Johnny Depp...
I like the illustrations on the website!
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16 commented:
I remember watching the original movie of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as kid. I remember thinking how I enjoy it but think how weird it is until I read the book. Really enjoy both movie and book.
The newer version of the 2nd movie (starring Johnny Depp *I love him*) was even more strange, but I love the version look of the Chocolate Factory in that one..and Johnny Depp *grin*...
Great review Alice!
Alice youve got to read The BFG
I loved it
and still am talking about it with My Home Schooler several weeks later
Jen
The title of the book is enough to pique my curiosity! ;) I'm glad you enjoyed the book, Alice!
It's such a great story isn't it, Alice? Like Julia, I remember watching the original movie as a child and it was one of my favorites. I loved the little songs the little people would sing. :-) The Johnny Depp version of the movie is good too!
Hi Julia! Ya... even my brother thinks I'm weird because he said how come I pick books and movies that are weird... (I asked him if he has this DVD at home and that's what he said LOL) Johnny Depp and chocolates are delicious! Yummm...
Hi Jen! That's the plan - will be getting The BFG soon. Thanks for highlighting it! :D
And Melody, I'm so happy for you and your husband and your daughter on the arrival of your second bundle of joy! She's too adorable!
Hi Wendy! Yes, it's a fantastic story. Definitely like the songs the little people sang. I'm going to extract one out and post it tomorrow and I reckon you'd know which one I'm going to include... Clue: The last song. Hehe...
Alice - it okay to be weird. I sometime think that I'm weird too! And if we both love this book/movies then we should be weird - together. What do you say?! Let show them! *grin*
I still love the movie!
Your first Roald Dahl?! Well don't stop until you read them all! I'm about to read The Witches for the first time and maybe Matilda after that (I haven't read it either). The original Gene Wilder movie is much better but the sets and stuff of the new one are more interesting.
Yay you, Julia! Let's show 'em! LOL.
I think so, Jen (ladytink). I'm hooked on this one and I think I'll venture out further... *GRIN*
I'm so glad you loved it! Enjoy the movie! I like it a lot too. And like Ladytink said, now you must read all the other Roald Dahl books :P
This is a great book isn't?! I loved this book when I was a kid and had a blast sharing it with my kids. They loved it too!
This was my first Roald Dahl book too but I read it when I was about 10. The book after this would be Charlie and the Glass Elevator!
I like Charlie's grandparents, they're funny. It's also sad to read about how poor Charlie was. That's why we're all so happy that he's won the Golden Ticket to Willy Wonka's factory! He definitely deserved the trip there, more than the other spoilt kids. But it's also fun to read about the other kids and their adventures!
I've also reviewed this book!
Hi Nymeth! Oh yes... now I must read all of Roald Dahl's work. I managed to dig the DVD out from my family's collection. Actually, it was my brother who found it when we both were looking through the files today. :D
It's indeed a great book, Renee! I'm really, really glad I picked it up.
Oh yes, Josette. I share your thoughts. And Charlie won it in the nick of time too! I'll go check out your review now.
I'm glad you enjoyed reading the book. I enjoyed watching the original movie and the newer version starring Johnny Depp.
And that reminds me that I've gotta watch the movie soon, Rachel. I found the DVD at my family's place. hehe...
I loved this story as a kid. You need to read Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator next which continues the story. I like the old film best, but the Burton one is cool too.
Thanks for the recommendation, Rhinoa. Will definitely check it out along with the other Roald Dahl books. :D
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