3.8 AVERAGE


exactly my feeling when I read this

Message to children all over the world : Even if your grandmother were a grumpy, witch-like old lady who told you to eat lots and lots of cabbages all the time, it's not okay to concoct a cauldron full of poison for her sabotage her medicine. At some point of the story I kind of hope that when George gave the medicine to Grandma, Grandma would die, then George was sent to prison or something similar, full stop.

What's more appaling than George's so-called marvelous medicine was George's parents reaction. George's father was practically ignoring Grandma's condition and more interested in how to make money out of George's dangerous marvelous medicine, and in the end
Spoiler he encouraged Grandma to take 50 dose of the medicine. And after about 5 seconds of mourning for her disappearing mother, George's mother said it might be the best, since Grandma is a bit "nuisance around the house"
. Really, parents? I like George's reaction in the end, at least it resembled guilt a little bit.

I love Dahl's stories. Most of them, anyway. I think he was a really charming story teller, and I lived my younger years aspiring to be as bright as Matilda. I might be thinking too much, but I bought all my Dahl collection partly with my (hypothetical future) children in mind, and I don't want to plant this idea (concocting poison/sabotage medicines) in their innocent mind. Perhaps it's enjoyable to read for some adults and older children (who already know better), but I'm not sure what moral he wanted to teach to younger readers through this story.

I've read some better Dahl's books. I'd better stick to them.

This book is always a fun read, and I feel bad counting it towards my yearly reading goal as it is so short. The quick story is full of marvelous magic and has some surprisingly adult dialogue and words (that I did not remember from reading this as a kid).

NiƱos que cometen ASESINATO
funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Great classic to read with children.

Untrained alchemist attempts to poison abusive family member; stumbles upon growth potion; attempts to duplicate formula as part of get-rich-quick scheme; fails; livestock growth patterns severely disrupted.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Worst Roald Dahl book I ever read. Not appropriate for children at all.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

This was our least favorite Dahl book. The characters were selfish and mean, the plot was pointless, and the ending abrupt. It didn't hold my five year old's attention and it took us forever to finally finish due to the lack of interest.



My children and I loved reading this book together. We enjoyed the illustrations immensely and thought the oddly shaped animals amusing.

One of my children liked this book disturbingly overmuch. :D