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Charlie Bucket #1-2
Two Classics by Roald Dahl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory / Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
334 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,385 books25.1k followersRoald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer and screenwriter of Norwegian descent, who rose to prominence in the 1940's with works for both children and adults, and became one of the world's bestselling authors.
Dahl's first published work, inspired by a meeting with C. S. Forester, was Shot Down Over Libya. Today the story is published as A Piece of Cake. The story, about his wartime adventures, was bought by the Saturday Evening Post for $900, and propelled him into a career as a writer. Its title was inspired by a highly inaccurate and sensationalized article about the crash that blinded him, which claimed he had been shot down instead of simply having to land because of low fuel.
His first children's book was The Gremlins, about mischievous little creatures that were part of RAF folklore. The book was commissioned by Walt Disney for a film that was never made, and published in 1943. Dahl went on to create some of the best-loved children's stories of the 20th century, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and James and the Giant Peach.
He also had a successful parallel career as the writer of macabre adult short stories, usually with a dark sense of humour and a surprise ending. Many were originally written for American magazines such as Ladies Home Journal, Harper's, Playboy and The New Yorker, then subsequently collected by Dahl into anthologies, gaining world-wide acclaim. Dahl wrote more than 60 short stories and they have appeared in numerous collections, some only being published in book form after his death. His stories also brought him three Edgar Awards: in 1954, for the collection Someone Like You; in 1959, for the story "The Landlady"; and in 1980, for the episode of Tales of the Unexpected based on "Skin".
Dahl's first published work, inspired by a meeting with C. S. Forester, was Shot Down Over Libya. Today the story is published as A Piece of Cake. The story, about his wartime adventures, was bought by the Saturday Evening Post for $900, and propelled him into a career as a writer. Its title was inspired by a highly inaccurate and sensationalized article about the crash that blinded him, which claimed he had been shot down instead of simply having to land because of low fuel.
His first children's book was The Gremlins, about mischievous little creatures that were part of RAF folklore. The book was commissioned by Walt Disney for a film that was never made, and published in 1943. Dahl went on to create some of the best-loved children's stories of the 20th century, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and James and the Giant Peach.
He also had a successful parallel career as the writer of macabre adult short stories, usually with a dark sense of humour and a surprise ending. Many were originally written for American magazines such as Ladies Home Journal, Harper's, Playboy and The New Yorker, then subsequently collected by Dahl into anthologies, gaining world-wide acclaim. Dahl wrote more than 60 short stories and they have appeared in numerous collections, some only being published in book form after his death. His stories also brought him three Edgar Awards: in 1954, for the collection Someone Like You; in 1959, for the story "The Landlady"; and in 1980, for the episode of Tales of the Unexpected based on "Skin".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
September 26, 2012
I think one of my favorite parts of motherhood is revisiting favorite books and sharing them with my kids. This is definitely one of those cases. We're reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for a bed time story for two reasons. One, I find it incredibly sad when my children think of the movie before the book in cases like this. Two, it's the best door into the universe of whimsy and fun that is Ronald Dahl.
December 15, 2022
Roald Dahl really has a way of writing serious issues in a humorously way
April 1, 2016
Great book to read with your kids! We only did the first half (Chocolate Factory) not the Great Glass Elevator. We will read the rest at a later date. My kids loved it, they range in age from 11-4. They loved the ending
September 27, 2018
4* voor het (geweldige) eerste boek en 2* voor het tweede boek dat helaas nogal tegen viel.
January 30, 2022
Roald Dahl is just THAT good — he approaches tough subjects and lessons with a slapstick sort of humor that I did not get as a 9 year old but appreciate so much now. Definitely worth the read again now that I’m older, and definitely one I’m excited to pass down to my kids one day !!
June 15, 2020
A highly enjoyable read which carries great messages and insight.
Read
October 12, 2021I think both the stories were very good, but I think the reader could have made a little more difference between the characters' voices.
December 24, 2017
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
:
"But there was one other thing that the grown-ups also knew, and it was this: that however small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance is there. The chance had to be there."
I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with all my heart, so when I first got this book back in 2014, I was as happy as Charlie when he got his Golden Ticket.
Re-reading this book as an older audience, it felt different. I still got those happy feelings of a child throughout this whole book, but there were some little details that I paid more attention to. For example, I never see the moral values of any books that I read as a child, but now, I noticed those values and I will keep it noted. This book taught me a lot about accepting all we have, because there are a lot of people who are in need. But now, I see more things like, how every tiny act that we do can affect our whole life just like what happened to the other kids affected theirs. It's just mind-blowing.
I also understand a lot more of the characters and why they are so annoying-ly annoying. Veruca Salt, a girl who is spoiled by her parents, and Mike Teavee, a boy who does nothing but watch television, still remain as my least favorite characters, epecially our young Miss Salt. Violet Beauregarde, a girl who chews gum all day long, and Augustus Gloop, a greedy boy, are still pretty acceptable, for me at least. But, they're all nasty brats. Except for our dearest Charlie Bucket, The Hero, IS SO PRECIOUS OMG HE DESERVES ALL HAPPINESS!! Mr. Willy Wonka, our super weird yet funny chocolatier, love him always!
Overall, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was such a wonderful re-read. It's definitely one of my favorite books of all time! I can't wait to give it another re-read!!
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator :
"You'll never get anywhere if you go about what-iffing like that."
I never actually finish this book (SHAME). But, I've read like 9 of 20 chapters so, I can say that I've read a good amount of the book (NO SHAME).
The plot-line of this book was a little bit confusing for me. It was good, it was fun, but it was confusing. I thought I would hate it but, no I was wrong! Roald Dahl 's touches to the story were phenomenal! He added those unique-ly weird and funny extra touches that brought the story to live! Fantastic!
Mr. Wonka was even more peculiar in this book, and I love that! We also got a lot more of the grandparents in this one, it was a little unexpected for me, but I really enjoyed it. They were really funny and they managed to brought the story to a different level.
Overall, this book was great, but not as great as the first one. I still really enjoyed the expansion of Mr. Wonka's magically weird world.
Conclusion :
Such a splendid book, or should I say series? I love meeting these characters again and get those nostalgic feels, my poor heart just can't.
4.5 stars
"But there was one other thing that the grown-ups also knew, and it was this: that however small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance is there. The chance had to be there."
I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with all my heart, so when I first got this book back in 2014, I was as happy as Charlie when he got his Golden Ticket.
Re-reading this book as an older audience, it felt different. I still got those happy feelings of a child throughout this whole book, but there were some little details that I paid more attention to. For example, I never see the moral values of any books that I read as a child, but now, I noticed those values and I will keep it noted. This book taught me a lot about accepting all we have, because there are a lot of people who are in need. But now, I see more things like, how every tiny act that we do can affect our whole life just like what happened to the other kids affected theirs. It's just mind-blowing.
I also understand a lot more of the characters and why they are so annoying-ly annoying. Veruca Salt, a girl who is spoiled by her parents, and Mike Teavee, a boy who does nothing but watch television, still remain as my least favorite characters, epecially our young Miss Salt. Violet Beauregarde, a girl who chews gum all day long, and Augustus Gloop, a greedy boy, are still pretty acceptable, for me at least. But, they're all nasty brats. Except for our dearest Charlie Bucket, The Hero, IS SO PRECIOUS OMG HE DESERVES ALL HAPPINESS!! Mr. Willy Wonka, our super weird yet funny chocolatier, love him always!
Overall, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was such a wonderful re-read. It's definitely one of my favorite books of all time! I can't wait to give it another re-read!!
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator :
"You'll never get anywhere if you go about what-iffing like that."
I never actually finish this book (SHAME). But, I've read like 9 of 20 chapters so, I can say that I've read a good amount of the book (NO SHAME).
The plot-line of this book was a little bit confusing for me. It was good, it was fun, but it was confusing. I thought I would hate it but, no I was wrong! Roald Dahl 's touches to the story were phenomenal! He added those unique-ly weird and funny extra touches that brought the story to live! Fantastic!
Mr. Wonka was even more peculiar in this book, and I love that! We also got a lot more of the grandparents in this one, it was a little unexpected for me, but I really enjoyed it. They were really funny and they managed to brought the story to a different level.
Overall, this book was great, but not as great as the first one. I still really enjoyed the expansion of Mr. Wonka's magically weird world.
Conclusion :
Such a splendid book, or should I say series? I love meeting these characters again and get those nostalgic feels, my poor heart just can't.
4.5 stars
February 13, 2021
Koostuu romaaneista Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ja Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. Ainakin ensin mainittu tunnetaan myös elokuvasovituksista, ja minulla on hämäriä muistikuvia jostain 80-luvulla näkemästäni elokuvasta, mutta kokonaiskuvan juonesta sain vasta nyt. Eksentrinen kapitalisti ja kolonialisti Willy Wonka kutsuu viisi onnekasta lasta kiertokäynnille suklaatehtaaseensa. Kiertokäynnin aikana ahneille käy juuri niin kuin ahneille käy. Köyhän kodin Charlie ei lankea houkutuksiin, ja lopussa hän saakin yllätyksekseen koko tehtaan perintönä Willy Wonkalta.
Jälkimmäisessä romaanissa lennetään ensin lasihissillä avaruuteen aiheuttamaan kansainvälinen selkkaus ja taistelemaan avaruusolioita vastaan, ja sen jälkeen palataan suklaatehtaaseen, jossa vanhuksia ensin nuorennetaan ja sitten vanhennetaan takaisin lääkkeellisesti. Minun oli vaikea löytää tästä jälkimmäisestä kohelluspätkästä varsinaista juonta.
Jälkimmäisessä romaanissa lennetään ensin lasihissillä avaruuteen aiheuttamaan kansainvälinen selkkaus ja taistelemaan avaruusolioita vastaan, ja sen jälkeen palataan suklaatehtaaseen, jossa vanhuksia ensin nuorennetaan ja sitten vanhennetaan takaisin lääkkeellisesti. Minun oli vaikea löytää tästä jälkimmäisestä kohelluspätkästä varsinaista juonta.
March 2, 2024
5 stars for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
3 stars for Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
I finally read both of these stories in progression. The first book has been a favorite of mine for a long time. In the second book, the Bucket family moves into the Wonka Chocolate Factory and readjust to a new life. I really enjoy reading more about his grandparents, they made this story,...
However, the pacing of the second book did not keep me as interested. I was underwhelmed. Also reading this as an adult and realizing the strong themes.
Still a recommended duo of Roald Dahl books.
3 stars for Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
I finally read both of these stories in progression. The first book has been a favorite of mine for a long time. In the second book, the Bucket family moves into the Wonka Chocolate Factory and readjust to a new life. I really enjoy reading more about his grandparents, they made this story,...
However, the pacing of the second book did not keep me as interested. I was underwhelmed. Also reading this as an adult and realizing the strong themes.
Still a recommended duo of Roald Dahl books.
March 18, 2017
Very fun and silly series. I really enjoyed it.
May 12, 2018
First Graders might be the best possible audience for this book. Especially if you have a group of them who love to make up accents for each of the characters! Loved it.
February 22, 2019
Charlie and the chocolate factory 3/5
Charlie and the great glass elevator 1/5
I really couldn't be bother with the second part.
Plus, nothing compares to Matilda.
Charlie and the great glass elevator 1/5
I really couldn't be bother with the second part.
Plus, nothing compares to Matilda.
April 9, 2020
The first part of the book was great. The second part, I lost interest. Did not finish.
September 7, 2020
Eh, this one wasn’t for me. The chocolate factory was okay but the glass elevator was just a bunch of nonsense. Quite unusually, I prefer the movie. Glad to know where the phrase “vermicious knid” comes from though.
July 10, 2014
Judul: The Complete Adventures of Charlie and Mr. Willy Wonka
Penulis: Roald Dahl
Penerbit: Puffin Books
Halaman: 384 halaman
Terbitan: 2001
Introducing the amazing Willy Wonka, chocolate-maker extraordinary! Now in one volume are the complete works of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, two Willy Wonka classics from beloved author Roald Dahl.
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka's famous, mysterious chocolate factory is opening its doors at last. But only five lucky children will be allowed inside: Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee, and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life. But even Charlie never expects to fly through the chocolate factory in a giant glass elevator! In the uproarious sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Willy Wonka whisks Charlie and the entire Bucket family right into space on an intergalactic elevator joyride and another wild fantasy adventure.
Review
Berturut-turut baca karyanya Roald Dahl. Beruntung buku ini ada di perpustakaan. Lebih murah sewanya ketimbang minjam Charlie and the Chocolate Factory dan Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator secara terpisah :)).
Jujur saya lebih dulu mengenal Charlie dan Willy Wonka lewat adaptasi filmnya di tahun 2005. Itu loh, yang Johny Depp jadi Willy Wonka-nya. Saya suka banget sama filmnya dan pengin baca bukunya sejak lama.
Di antara kedua cerita yang ada di buku ini, saya rasa Charlie and the Chocolate Factory lebih menarik ketimbang Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. Yang pertama ceritanya terasa lebih berarah, sementara yang kedua agak lebih... hmm, random gitu kali ya.
Cuma akhir ceritanya Charlie and the Chocolate Factory terasa kurang nendang buat saya. Saya baru ngeh kalau akhir di filmnya itu tambahan pembuat filmnya sendiri. Tidak mengikuti novelnya. Saya berharap ada sedikit tambahan di akhir novelnya, tapi sayang ceritanya berakhir begitu saja.
Secara keseluruhan tetap seru lah. Di sini juga saya makin yakin kalau Roald Dahl memang tidak suka televisi. Kelihatan banget dari penggambarannya tentang TV, baik di Matilda, maupun di Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Penulis: Roald Dahl
Penerbit: Puffin Books
Halaman: 384 halaman
Terbitan: 2001
Introducing the amazing Willy Wonka, chocolate-maker extraordinary! Now in one volume are the complete works of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, two Willy Wonka classics from beloved author Roald Dahl.
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka's famous, mysterious chocolate factory is opening its doors at last. But only five lucky children will be allowed inside: Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, Mike Teavee, and Charlie Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life. But even Charlie never expects to fly through the chocolate factory in a giant glass elevator! In the uproarious sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Willy Wonka whisks Charlie and the entire Bucket family right into space on an intergalactic elevator joyride and another wild fantasy adventure.
Review
Berturut-turut baca karyanya Roald Dahl. Beruntung buku ini ada di perpustakaan. Lebih murah sewanya ketimbang minjam Charlie and the Chocolate Factory dan Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator secara terpisah :)).
Jujur saya lebih dulu mengenal Charlie dan Willy Wonka lewat adaptasi filmnya di tahun 2005. Itu loh, yang Johny Depp jadi Willy Wonka-nya. Saya suka banget sama filmnya dan pengin baca bukunya sejak lama.
Di antara kedua cerita yang ada di buku ini, saya rasa Charlie and the Chocolate Factory lebih menarik ketimbang Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. Yang pertama ceritanya terasa lebih berarah, sementara yang kedua agak lebih... hmm, random gitu kali ya.
Cuma akhir ceritanya Charlie and the Chocolate Factory terasa kurang nendang buat saya. Saya baru ngeh kalau akhir di filmnya itu tambahan pembuat filmnya sendiri. Tidak mengikuti novelnya. Saya berharap ada sedikit tambahan di akhir novelnya, tapi sayang ceritanya berakhir begitu saja.
Secara keseluruhan tetap seru lah. Di sini juga saya makin yakin kalau Roald Dahl memang tidak suka televisi. Kelihatan banget dari penggambarannya tentang TV, baik di Matilda, maupun di Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
March 15, 2013
Just read this book which includes both Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, (5 stars) and it's less popular sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (3.5 stars) out loud to the kids.
Both stories are classic Dahl, though Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is undoubtedly the stronger of the two.
I think writing to kids is much harder than most people realize and Dahl is a master. His sense of humor as well as his ability to exaggerate his characters attributes to the point of being almost ridiculous makes his stories fun and goofy. Yet, it's not just silliness that he delivers. Along with all the laughs he also manages to include some important social commentary. From offering his views on TV expressed through the character of Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to his clever and kooky political satire in Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.
I would recommend this book to any young reader who enjoys strong, fun characters and especially those who are already a Roald Dahl fan. There's a reason his stories are still so popular. For those who enjoy more contemporary children's authors like Kate Dicamillo and/or Lemony Snicket but who haven't read Dahl's many works, I would say give this a try. As a bonus, this combined addition features an interview with Dahl on the process of his writing that was worth a read.
Both stories are classic Dahl, though Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is undoubtedly the stronger of the two.
I think writing to kids is much harder than most people realize and Dahl is a master. His sense of humor as well as his ability to exaggerate his characters attributes to the point of being almost ridiculous makes his stories fun and goofy. Yet, it's not just silliness that he delivers. Along with all the laughs he also manages to include some important social commentary. From offering his views on TV expressed through the character of Mike Teavee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to his clever and kooky political satire in Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.
I would recommend this book to any young reader who enjoys strong, fun characters and especially those who are already a Roald Dahl fan. There's a reason his stories are still so popular. For those who enjoy more contemporary children's authors like Kate Dicamillo and/or Lemony Snicket but who haven't read Dahl's many works, I would say give this a try. As a bonus, this combined addition features an interview with Dahl on the process of his writing that was worth a read.
January 7, 2017
*The version I read doesn't include "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator" part
The book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" used to be one of my favorite stories that I had read when I was about the age of 8. This Winter break, I decided to read this fabulous book. The purpose was to feel the difference of reading this book on 8 and 16. The main character; Charlie Bucket
is a boy from poor family who really wants to explore Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. One day he gets the chance to explore the factory. Charlie and other kids head to factory with Willy Wonka. Every kid except for Charlie got left out during the trip since they had high curiosity or selfishness. However Charlie didn't do any mistakes and made through all courses of the trip in factory. Later in the book, Willy Wonka helps Charlie's family to live in better life.
When I was 8, I just thought the story was interesting, because of the strangeness in the factory and Willy Wonka's peculiar personality. This time, I wasn't feeling the same thing as I felt in 8. I was interested by Charlie's patience and the result for that patience. Kids that had similar age as Charlie all got kicked out, because of the lack of patience. However Charlie was different. When I relate this to my life, I thought that I need more patience in process of being successful.
The book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" used to be one of my favorite stories that I had read when I was about the age of 8. This Winter break, I decided to read this fabulous book. The purpose was to feel the difference of reading this book on 8 and 16. The main character; Charlie Bucket
is a boy from poor family who really wants to explore Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. One day he gets the chance to explore the factory. Charlie and other kids head to factory with Willy Wonka. Every kid except for Charlie got left out during the trip since they had high curiosity or selfishness. However Charlie didn't do any mistakes and made through all courses of the trip in factory. Later in the book, Willy Wonka helps Charlie's family to live in better life.
When I was 8, I just thought the story was interesting, because of the strangeness in the factory and Willy Wonka's peculiar personality. This time, I wasn't feeling the same thing as I felt in 8. I was interested by Charlie's patience and the result for that patience. Kids that had similar age as Charlie all got kicked out, because of the lack of patience. However Charlie was different. When I relate this to my life, I thought that I need more patience in process of being successful.
February 14, 2016
This book contains 2 novellas about Charlie's adventures with Mr. Wonka. The first one, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", is probably familiar by book or film to most readers. The second one, "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator", was unfamiliar to me and to perhaps many other readers.
The first book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", is a great story. The movie version I saw of it, with Gene Wilder as Mr. Wonka, has stayed with me for many years. The book and that film version are more or less the same. I cannot speak of the version made by Johnny Depp, as I have not seen that one.
The second, lesser known story, was in my opinion, not as good. In that book, Charlie, all his grandparents and his parents go with Mr. Wonka into outer space and end up at the new and yet to be staffed Space Hotel. There they all run into the horrible Knids, a shaped shifting alien race who have taken over the Space Hotel.
The second story is just not as good as the first one. I therefore gave this book 4 stars because the first book was great and the second one was only o.k. Had the second book been better, this would have definitely been a 5 star book for me.
The first book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", is a great story. The movie version I saw of it, with Gene Wilder as Mr. Wonka, has stayed with me for many years. The book and that film version are more or less the same. I cannot speak of the version made by Johnny Depp, as I have not seen that one.
The second, lesser known story, was in my opinion, not as good. In that book, Charlie, all his grandparents and his parents go with Mr. Wonka into outer space and end up at the new and yet to be staffed Space Hotel. There they all run into the horrible Knids, a shaped shifting alien race who have taken over the Space Hotel.
The second story is just not as good as the first one. I therefore gave this book 4 stars because the first book was great and the second one was only o.k. Had the second book been better, this would have definitely been a 5 star book for me.
October 8, 2007
I heard this story from my friend many years ago[ movie ] . But I never have it. Cause I very busy,but when I came to USA. The kid in my host family show the movie for me. I like very much.It's colorfull, some time we had a dream look like this story. And I want to learn English from this story. My host family borrow from library for me.It's like turn to a child agian.Have a wonderful world in a while time.Can got something from this story for still a life. And happy when know some word and can do,"enough"
August 29, 2014
Imagine going to a chocolate factory all day long with a very "interesting" owner that has one or two tricks up his sleeve. Of course I am talking about "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". One of the best books in the world. This book is about a young poor boy named Charlie, duuuuuuuuuuuh, and his journey through Willy Wonkas Choclate Factory with a bunch of really spoiled kids that end up disappearing one by one. Follow Charlie through this tasty journey full of magic, singing Oompa Loompas, and Choclate waterfalls to the surprising reward at the end. Read to find out.
June 16, 2010
Two well known stories by Dahl. I've seen the movie and thought that perhaps the books might be a bit darker and more adult. That would have been cool, but they weren't. They're okay children’s stories, the writing is mediocre and the stories are fun in a chocolate cake with frosting kinda way, mouthwatering to look at, good while you're eating it but in the end not memorable.
November 27, 2008
This is one of the only times I'll say this but the movie was better than the book. This was one of Rhod Dhal's first books. I think the director of Charlie and the Chocolate factory was better than the book. I wouldn't read it.
November 15, 2016
I read "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" to my two girls (7/5 yrs old) and we all loved it. Ronald Dahl had an extraordinary imagination--seriously love him!
January 7, 2023
i want another story about how the four other children cope with their trauma and PTSD
December 13, 2023
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory was worth the read, but Charlie & the Great Glass Elevator was not.
April 5, 2023
I think that, like many kids my age, because I saw the movie before I read the book, I'm biased. To me, the only true version is the Gene Wilder movie. I recognize this ignorance, and ask you to bear with me as I rake this under the coals.
Obviously, Charlie and Chocolate factory is a fab story. I like that, for the most part, it's universal. Kids and adults are all caught up in the frenzy of the chance to win a golden ticket. Even the 1% and politicians are getting in on it. The chance to win! Chocolate! An eccentric small business owner (yet world renknown), mystery and intruigue! These are all elements kids and adult readers will enjoy. Even as an adult, I enjoy the rediculousness and impossibility of all of Wonka's gadeget, gizmos, and inventions. However, despite my best efforts, there are some things that are hard to overlook. The he poverty of the Buckets, for example. As an adult, it's unfathomable to think that their condition could exist, even in the outlandish world in which the story takes place. Still, the story itself is fun, and teaches a valueable lesson. I could do without the Oompa Loompa songs. I think it wastes time, ink, and paper, but here we are. C&TCF: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Now to the Great Glass Elevator.
What. The actual. Eff.
This story was so all over the god damn place, that it's practically a Vicious K'nit in itself. Did the author have a stroke before he wrote this story? It reads like something that was pumped out in a day in order to cash in on the success of the first story. Charlie and Great Glass Elevator immediately picks up where we left off at hte end of Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Wonka and the seven Buckets (and a 4-person bed) are in the elevator, and are shooting into space. Without going into detail, here's what happens: They go into space, they dock at a space hotel, they hang out for a few minutes before being chased out again by aliens, they dick around with the aliens for a bit (and by a bit, I mean half the fucking story), then land back at the chcolate factory. Then, Wonka gives the grandparents youth pills, but one gets too much and disappears, so they have to go find her in earth pergatory, then age them back up, then go to the White House to meet the 1970's version of President Donald Trump.
I don't even know where to start with this! In The Glass Elevator the biggest news for the past three months, apparently, was this space hotel. Yet, 30 minutes ago, the biggest news was the Golden Ticket contest fromt he previous book. At the begnning of the story, the whole reason they go up so high is that they can come back down at great speeds to break through the factory roof. Yet, the elevators have rockets built in to go fast enough to break through earth's atmosphere. There are more examples, but the story goes beyond childhood imagination and reasonable absurdity into full blown ludicrous insanity. To quote Lewis Black, "...even a three-year-old would go 'fuck that, mommy.'"
Obviously, Charlie and Chocolate factory is a fab story. I like that, for the most part, it's universal. Kids and adults are all caught up in the frenzy of the chance to win a golden ticket. Even the 1% and politicians are getting in on it. The chance to win! Chocolate! An eccentric small business owner (yet world renknown), mystery and intruigue! These are all elements kids and adult readers will enjoy. Even as an adult, I enjoy the rediculousness and impossibility of all of Wonka's gadeget, gizmos, and inventions. However, despite my best efforts, there are some things that are hard to overlook. The he poverty of the Buckets, for example. As an adult, it's unfathomable to think that their condition could exist, even in the outlandish world in which the story takes place. Still, the story itself is fun, and teaches a valueable lesson. I could do without the Oompa Loompa songs. I think it wastes time, ink, and paper, but here we are. C&TCF: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Now to the Great Glass Elevator.
What. The actual. Eff.
This story was so all over the god damn place, that it's practically a Vicious K'nit in itself. Did the author have a stroke before he wrote this story? It reads like something that was pumped out in a day in order to cash in on the success of the first story. Charlie and Great Glass Elevator immediately picks up where we left off at hte end of Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Wonka and the seven Buckets (and a 4-person bed) are in the elevator, and are shooting into space. Without going into detail, here's what happens: They go into space, they dock at a space hotel, they hang out for a few minutes before being chased out again by aliens, they dick around with the aliens for a bit (and by a bit, I mean half the fucking story), then land back at the chcolate factory. Then, Wonka gives the grandparents youth pills, but one gets too much and disappears, so they have to go find her in earth pergatory, then age them back up, then go to the White House to meet the 1970's version of President Donald Trump.
I don't even know where to start with this! In The Glass Elevator the biggest news for the past three months, apparently, was this space hotel. Yet, 30 minutes ago, the biggest news was the Golden Ticket contest fromt he previous book. At the begnning of the story, the whole reason they go up so high is that they can come back down at great speeds to break through the factory roof. Yet, the elevators have rockets built in to go fast enough to break through earth's atmosphere. There are more examples, but the story goes beyond childhood imagination and reasonable absurdity into full blown ludicrous insanity. To quote Lewis Black, "...even a three-year-old would go 'fuck that, mommy.'"
July 25, 2018
Am I horrible for not loving these books? In truth, I think I may have enjoyed them better had I not seen either movie adaptation to begin with, so I already knew the general theme of the story quite well. However, I never loved the movies either, so I'm not surprised that I wasn't in love with these books. They were both okay, and I'm glad I can mark off that I've finally read them, but I just really couldn't get into them the way everyone else seems to be able to.
That being said, I liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory better than Charlie and the Glass Elevator. The second story seemed far more scattered, indirect, and written for the sake of continuing the story, but there wasn't much point to the story, beyond poking fun at ideas like greed, selfishness, and the ridiculousness of the American government and politicians.
One of the things that always got me in this story is it seemed very much to be a cautionary tale, in a way. "Don't be like these people." However, so much of it was messages that weren't necessarily children can relate to. The message seemed to be more one geared towards parents and a "don't raise your kids to be like this" kind of way with the cautionary songs that are sung, with the exception of maybe the chewing gum story and the girl and the medicine cabinet in the Glass Elevator. In the case of Mike Teavee and the song there, it was implied that kids wouldn't argue and fight, or even play loudly or be a bother if they didn't have television, because kids would suddenly discover books, and that would keep them busy. Having lived without television, and even at one point without a computer, I can honestly say that's not necessarily true. Kids are more likely to play imaginatively, making up grand adventures, but kids that aren't into books or simply don't love them aren't going to pick up a book because you took their television away, except, perhaps, if there are no other kids around to play with.
This is one of those classic stories that's taken me years to get to, since I'd never read it as a child. I'd never had much interest in Roald Dahl and his works when I was younger, and never really got into either of the movies. However, I do know that one of my kids loves the first story (and thinks he's going to read the other one) so who knows. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea.
That being said, I liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory better than Charlie and the Glass Elevator. The second story seemed far more scattered, indirect, and written for the sake of continuing the story, but there wasn't much point to the story, beyond poking fun at ideas like greed, selfishness, and the ridiculousness of the American government and politicians.
One of the things that always got me in this story is it seemed very much to be a cautionary tale, in a way. "Don't be like these people." However, so much of it was messages that weren't necessarily children can relate to. The message seemed to be more one geared towards parents and a "don't raise your kids to be like this" kind of way with the cautionary songs that are sung, with the exception of maybe the chewing gum story and the girl and the medicine cabinet in the Glass Elevator. In the case of Mike Teavee and the song there, it was implied that kids wouldn't argue and fight, or even play loudly or be a bother if they didn't have television, because kids would suddenly discover books, and that would keep them busy. Having lived without television, and even at one point without a computer, I can honestly say that's not necessarily true. Kids are more likely to play imaginatively, making up grand adventures, but kids that aren't into books or simply don't love them aren't going to pick up a book because you took their television away, except, perhaps, if there are no other kids around to play with.
This is one of those classic stories that's taken me years to get to, since I'd never read it as a child. I'd never had much interest in Roald Dahl and his works when I was younger, and never really got into either of the movies. However, I do know that one of my kids loves the first story (and thinks he's going to read the other one) so who knows. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea.
August 30, 2017
Anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely love both movie adaptations of Roald Dahl's wonderful Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It occurred to me a few months ago that this story was a book first before it became two movies. So I set out to find the book.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 5/5. I love so much that both movies captured everything in the book. What one movie lacked, the other made up for. This is a brilliant story for the dreamers, the ones who think they have no hope or chance. This story gives you hope as you ride through the day with Charlie, feeling all his emotions along with him. I am extremely happy I read the book!
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator: 3.5/5. When I first started reading, I wondered why this hasnt been made into a movie, or if it has why I havent seen it. After finishing, I knew why. This kind of made me anxious. So much was going on, so many things that just seemed far more unbelievable than "Chocolate Factory." I couldn't stand either of the grandmothers. But I enjoyed watching Charlie take charge and learn. The Wonka-Vite was just creepy, so was Minusland. This story definitely didn't have the same whimiscal feeling as "Chocolate Factory" does. My review is just as chaotic as the story felt. Nevertheless, being in Charlie's and Wonka's world is what I love about "Chocolate Factory," so I held on to that and finished the story.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 5/5. I love so much that both movies captured everything in the book. What one movie lacked, the other made up for. This is a brilliant story for the dreamers, the ones who think they have no hope or chance. This story gives you hope as you ride through the day with Charlie, feeling all his emotions along with him. I am extremely happy I read the book!
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator: 3.5/5. When I first started reading, I wondered why this hasnt been made into a movie, or if it has why I havent seen it. After finishing, I knew why. This kind of made me anxious. So much was going on, so many things that just seemed far more unbelievable than "Chocolate Factory." I couldn't stand either of the grandmothers. But I enjoyed watching Charlie take charge and learn. The Wonka-Vite was just creepy, so was Minusland. This story definitely didn't have the same whimiscal feeling as "Chocolate Factory" does. My review is just as chaotic as the story felt. Nevertheless, being in Charlie's and Wonka's world is what I love about "Chocolate Factory," so I held on to that and finished the story.
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