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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
As a kid raised on the little public service announcement warnings issued at the end of every single cartoon [segment] I watched, I really struggled with this one. My thirteen year old said he liked it fine when he read it a few years ago, but I could not get past the feeling that this was a bad situation waiting to happen in real life — inspired by this book.
George, hoping to create a miracle solution to give his cranky grandmother in lieu of her regularly scheduled medicine, creates a concoction from whatever he can grab. There is a brief note where he spares a few moments to think about the medicine cabinet, but he has promised his parents he won't go near it because, "There were things in there ... that could actually kill a person, and although he was out to give Grandma a pretty fiery mouthful, he didn't really want a dead body on his hands."
Aside from that one all too brief mention of potential danger, there was everything under the sun thrown into this stew pot and given to his grandmother: toothpaste, shaving soap, dandruff cure, face cream, laundry detergent, floor polish, flea powder, an assortment of spices from the kitchen, shoe polish, pills for farm animals (chickens, cows, pigs, and sheep), engine oil, and, among an assortment of other things, glossy brown paint.
I get the humor in it, and perhaps I could see it if I had the benefit of being really young, but — with the scare tactics of those PSAs engrained on my brain — I cannot help but think how terrible this idea is for a story for impressionable young minds. I remember not being able to get my dad to run through a rehearsal of the fire escape plan I'd drawn up in elementary school. So I've always been on a different track than some others — like my dad.
George, hoping to create a miracle solution to give his cranky grandmother in lieu of her regularly scheduled medicine, creates a concoction from whatever he can grab. There is a brief note where he spares a few moments to think about the medicine cabinet, but he has promised his parents he won't go near it because, "There were things in there ... that could actually kill a person, and although he was out to give Grandma a pretty fiery mouthful, he didn't really want a dead body on his hands."
Aside from that one all too brief mention of potential danger, there was everything under the sun thrown into this stew pot and given to his grandmother: toothpaste, shaving soap, dandruff cure, face cream, laundry detergent, floor polish, flea powder, an assortment of spices from the kitchen, shoe polish, pills for farm animals (chickens, cows, pigs, and sheep), engine oil, and, among an assortment of other things, glossy brown paint.
I get the humor in it, and perhaps I could see it if I had the benefit of being really young, but — with the scare tactics of those PSAs engrained on my brain — I cannot help but think how terrible this idea is for a story for impressionable young minds. I remember not being able to get my dad to run through a rehearsal of the fire escape plan I'd drawn up in elementary school. So I've always been on a different track than some others — like my dad.
I read this for a book report and had to make a diagrama for it thats still in my house
I haven’t reread this since I was younger, but it holds up pretty well as my favourite Dahl book (maybe only second to Matilda). I enjoyed it more now as an adult because the illustration style used to frighten me.
It was funny and ridiculous, with an interesting bit of magic.
The ending was a bit of a “oh. Okay” moment when George’s grandma ceases to exist. A bit harsh even though she is abusive and horrible?
Some of the reviews say to include a “Don’t try this at home” warning but mine had one? Maybe in the older versions it didn’t which could be a big problem.
I appreciated my version’s extra information on Roald, especially his writing hut.
It was a good disturbing October read and the medicinal aspect was fitting after finishing The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
I would recommend this to middle-graders who want something crazy to take with many punches of salt (and brown paint?
It was funny and ridiculous, with an interesting bit of magic.
The ending was a bit of a “oh. Okay” moment when George’s grandma ceases to exist. A bit harsh even though she is abusive and horrible?
Some of the reviews say to include a “Don’t try this at home” warning but mine had one? Maybe in the older versions it didn’t which could be a big problem.
I appreciated my version’s extra information on Roald, especially his writing hut.
It was a good disturbing October read and the medicinal aspect was fitting after finishing The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
I would recommend this to middle-graders who want something crazy to take with many punches of salt (and brown paint?
Grade: A-
I am basing my rating for these childhood books on how much I enjoyed them when I read them as a child.
I am basing my rating for these childhood books on how much I enjoyed them when I read them as a child.
it's funny to imagine roald dahl thinking that medicine was roughly as whimsical and fantastical and appealing to children as a magic candy factory.
relatedly, this is not the same level of fun as a lot of other roald dahl books.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
relatedly, this is not the same level of fun as a lot of other roald dahl books.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Not my favourite Dahl book but my class have loved it!!
I needed the comfort of Children Literature and it was nice to pick up another book by Roald Dahl. As usual, I like the illustrations by Quentin Blake.
Dashiell and I read this book together. The illustrations are entertaining and it was fun seeing George's medicine at work.