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stindex's review against another edition
dark
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? It's complicated
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Colonisation, Torture, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Bullying, Slavery, Body shaming, Violence, and Fatphobia
nathanjhunt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
This was my 15th book finished in 2024. I've seen the 2005 film, and most recently the "origin story", but never read the book.
There are such mixed messages in this book... Wow, Roald Dahl sure hates fat people, especially fat children Fat people bad, but as outlined in the beginning of the book, Charlie's selflessness is good. But then Charlie's greed when buying two chocolate bars instead of giving his family the money is what makes him win the ticket. So what's meant to be the message here, Roald? Is greediness good under certain circumstances?
According to Wonka, nothing is better than chocolate! Unless you're fat. "Don't indulge in too much because it will make you fat and then you'll be sucked into a tube and punished. Oh but then I have said I'll give you a lifetime supply of chocolate when you win".
Also for most of the children, their bad behaviour is explained by the way their parents brought them up. But Mr Wonka will punish the children for it.
Some of the play on words in the book were amusing, and Mr Wonka can be funny sometimes, but he just gaslights everyone throughout. I assume you're supposed to like his character, but I didn't. And I don't understand why he liked Charlie so much? That boy has zero personality and basically didn't say a single thing in the factory.
Remember kids, Roald Dahl says you're a bad person if you're fat, if you chew gum, if you're spoiled (fair, but the parents are to blame), and if you watch TV! A very dated message from a middle aged man in the 1960s who didn't want to change with the times. Boomers love defending Dahl, but the book really is getting a bit dated sixty years after publication.
The TV chapter was the most annoying of all... yes yes we get it, TV "rots your brain". We've been hearing that nonsense for three generations now. We'll be fine, get over it Roald.
On a last note (the elephant in the room), the Oompa-Loompa songs got very annoying very quickly. Not to mention the horrid colonial undertones of enslaving African pygmies and making them work in your factory for a pittance of cacao beans. Icky.
I give it a 3.25 because it was clever and amusing in places, but I didn't enjoy the dated undertones and mixed messages.
There are such mixed messages in this book... Wow, Roald Dahl sure hates fat people, especially fat children Fat people bad, but as outlined in the beginning of the book, Charlie's selflessness is good. But then Charlie's greed when buying two chocolate bars instead of giving his family the money is what makes him win the ticket. So what's meant to be the message here, Roald? Is greediness good under certain circumstances?
According to Wonka, nothing is better than chocolate! Unless you're fat. "Don't indulge in too much because it will make you fat and then you'll be sucked into a tube and punished. Oh but then I have said I'll give you a lifetime supply of chocolate when you win".
Also for most of the children, their bad behaviour is explained by the way their parents brought them up. But Mr Wonka will punish the children for it.
Some of the play on words in the book were amusing, and Mr Wonka can be funny sometimes, but he just gaslights everyone throughout. I assume you're supposed to like his character, but I didn't. And I don't understand why he liked Charlie so much? That boy has zero personality and basically didn't say a single thing in the factory.
Remember kids, Roald Dahl says you're a bad person if you're fat, if you chew gum, if you're spoiled (fair, but the parents are to blame), and if you watch TV! A very dated message from a middle aged man in the 1960s who didn't want to change with the times. Boomers love defending Dahl, but the book really is getting a bit dated sixty years after publication.
The TV chapter was the most annoying of all... yes yes we get it, TV "rots your brain". We've been hearing that nonsense for three generations now. We'll be fine, get over it Roald.
On a last note (the elephant in the room), the Oompa-Loompa songs got very annoying very quickly. Not to mention the horrid colonial undertones of enslaving African pygmies and making them work in your factory for a pittance of cacao beans. Icky.
I give it a 3.25 because it was clever and amusing in places, but I didn't enjoy the dated undertones and mixed messages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Colonisation, Slavery, Genocide, and Cultural appropriation
swimfast724's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Confinement, Bullying, Child death, Slavery, and Kidnapping
madmadmaddymad's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I liked it as much as chocolate but
Oompa Loompa’s rhyme kind of lazily
And towards the end - their songs become tedious
If you like songs - it might make you crazy
Heartwarming, sort of, we all know the story
Willy Wonka has the ability to make me feel like a child
There’s candy and whimsy and lessons about love and kindness
Thank you Roald Dahl for a book that’s both worthwhile and wild
Oompa Loompa’s rhyme kind of lazily
And towards the end - their songs become tedious
If you like songs - it might make you crazy
Heartwarming, sort of, we all know the story
Willy Wonka has the ability to make me feel like a child
There’s candy and whimsy and lessons about love and kindness
Thank you Roald Dahl for a book that’s both worthwhile and wild
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Slavery and Xenophobia
rock_hyrax's review against another edition
The description of the 'pygmies' wonka had 'imported' from Africa, and who were now working in his underground factory without the outside world even knowing they were there, was a bit too racist for me. Seriously, there are 3000 workers living in that factory.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Slavery
sellnow_hannah's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Read this book in Spanish to practice. Of course I knew the story but I was VERY surprised by the Atlantic slave trade parallels with the story of the Oompa Loompas. As a kid I thought of them as Willy Wonka’s lovable friends but the book depiction of them is very different and honestly incredibly racist. This detracted from the story for me (hence the low rating). The translation was interesting - they used the vosotros verb tenses more than I’m accustomed to, which was good for learning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Fatphobia, Racism, and Ableism
jonessp's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-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
0.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Fatphobia, Colonisation, Body shaming, Slavery, Trafficking, and Torture
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