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Matthew's Reviews > Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
by
by
Matthew's review
bookshelves: at-home-reading, library, young-adult, fantasy, read-with-kids, least-favorite, sci-fi, 2020
Jun 12, 2020
bookshelves: at-home-reading, library, young-adult, fantasy, read-with-kids, least-favorite, sci-fi, 2020
When I read this as a kid: 5 Stars
Reread as an adult: 2 Stars
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic. I enjoyed it as a kid and I enjoyed it as an adult when I reread it with my kids a few months ago. Next logical step was to reread the sequel to my kids which was another book that I had fond memories of from my childhood.
However, this book has not aged well . . .
Generally, I really enjoy Dahl’s work, but I may have found one that might be best left skipped. I guess the incoherent goofiness of this was endearing to me as a child, but it was quite painful during the reread. My wife kept trying to get out of listening to it with me and the kids because it was so bad, but the kids would not let me proceed unless she was in the room! The first half of the book is a bizarre space adventure with cringe-worthy dialogue. The second half is a thinly veiled commentary on drug overdosing – including an (view spoiler). It’s just makes me wonder a lot about where this all came from after the wonderful first book.
Also, there are many cultural representations in this book that would not fly today. Some of you have seen on Disney+ where they have left the old movies in tact but put a warning on movies like Dumbo and Peter Pan that they contain dated cultural references – this book needs that disclaimer! As racial tensions have been very high in the news lately, know that this book would not hold up in the debate. This is especially troublesome as it is geared towards children – so I kind of skimmed a few parts. Maybe back when it was written it was not a big deal, but there are several things here I would not want my kids repeating in public!
So, approach this one with caution. If you want to complete Charlie and Willy Wonka’s journey, then give it a go and maybe you will enjoy it more than I did. But, you have been warned about what you are getting into!
Reread as an adult: 2 Stars
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a classic. I enjoyed it as a kid and I enjoyed it as an adult when I reread it with my kids a few months ago. Next logical step was to reread the sequel to my kids which was another book that I had fond memories of from my childhood.
However, this book has not aged well . . .
Generally, I really enjoy Dahl’s work, but I may have found one that might be best left skipped. I guess the incoherent goofiness of this was endearing to me as a child, but it was quite painful during the reread. My wife kept trying to get out of listening to it with me and the kids because it was so bad, but the kids would not let me proceed unless she was in the room! The first half of the book is a bizarre space adventure with cringe-worthy dialogue. The second half is a thinly veiled commentary on drug overdosing – including an (view spoiler). It’s just makes me wonder a lot about where this all came from after the wonderful first book.
Also, there are many cultural representations in this book that would not fly today. Some of you have seen on Disney+ where they have left the old movies in tact but put a warning on movies like Dumbo and Peter Pan that they contain dated cultural references – this book needs that disclaimer! As racial tensions have been very high in the news lately, know that this book would not hold up in the debate. This is especially troublesome as it is geared towards children – so I kind of skimmed a few parts. Maybe back when it was written it was not a big deal, but there are several things here I would not want my kids repeating in public!
So, approach this one with caution. If you want to complete Charlie and Willy Wonka’s journey, then give it a go and maybe you will enjoy it more than I did. But, you have been warned about what you are getting into!
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Reading Progress
April 16, 2020
–
Started Reading
April 16, 2020
– Shelved
April 16, 2020
– Shelved as:
at-home-reading
April 16, 2020
– Shelved as:
library
April 16, 2020
– Shelved as:
young-adult
April 16, 2020
– Shelved as:
fantasy
April 16, 2020
– Shelved as:
read-with-kids
June 10, 2020
–
Finished Reading
June 12, 2020
– Shelved as:
least-favorite
June 12, 2020
– Shelved as:
sci-fi
August 12, 2020
– Shelved as:
2020
Comments Showing 1-2 of 2 (2 new)
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message 1:
by
Kandice
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Jun 12, 2020 07:47AM
I haven't reread this since mine were small. I do remember cringing as I read aloud, but not details, other than (view spoiler)[ the toilet. (hide spoiler)]
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Kandice wrote: "I haven't reread this since mine were small. I do remember cringing as I read aloud, but not details, other than [spoilers removed]"Yeah - the other part is towards the beginning when the president is either meeting with or talking about people from other countries (can't remember which) and the way they are portrayed is based on stereotypes. I mean - it seems like it was originally intended as harmless fun. But, the world has changed so much, I don't think it would be seen that way anymore.
