by Roald Dahl
5/5 Stars
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been on my to-read list for many years, but was never a priority read. I was fairly comfortable with the plot line and the characters through the movies “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and the more recent “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. However, I recently took a short trip that I wanted a time-appropriate (i.e. finished before I reached my destination) audiobook to fill my time with.
This was such a fun listen! As other Roald Dahl books I’ve listened to recently, the narration style was very fun and the sound effects used helped the story come alive in ways all it’s own. I was surprised to discover that each film interpreted Willy Wonka’s character in a slightly different way from the book, although I would argue neither of them got it wrong, just…different.
The world built within the factory walls is one that appeals to children and adults alike – who wouldn’t love to visit a room where everything is “eat-able” and delicious?!
There were several things though that stuck out to me as an adult reading a children’s book. Dahl was as effective as Disney (or classic Disney – I can’t speak to the newer movies) in appealing to children and adults alike. Watching a Disney movie from my childhood as an adult, while still full of nostalgia, I find new easter eggs in the form of different jokes and messages/themes that I pick up on that a child wouldn’t – which is the beauty of these types of novels/movies/stories.
The word play was excellent and I’m honestly not sure if I would’ve caught all of the different usages of Dahl’s word play if I had been reading the book instead of listening to it (now I’d like to read a paper copy). He warns against the bad behaviors frequently found in children by doling out various forms of punishments to the children, but also makes a point to drag the parents of the children into each punishment as well. I love this warning of poor parenting and passing on bad traits to children that is thematic throughout the story.
In other words, in Dahl’s eyes, if there is a spoiled child, rotten parents are likely found not too far away. Adults and children alike can find enjoyment in this book, and adults and children alike will find different messages to take away from this book.
If your child wants a fun, engaging, entertaining read, I’d recommend this.
If you’re an adult who didn’t get around to this book as a child, I’d recommend this.
Becca's Bookshelf 