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zengar1's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Possibly my least favourite Dahl book. The terrible message given to Danny that poaching is an acceptable lifestyle choice gives poor life lessons for the children that read them.
cait_readsxox's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It was a fun and entertaining read. I loved that this book had such a strong emphasis on a father-son relationship!
grace_hogg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
yushi's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
5.0
katrina_ingram's review against another edition
3.0
So I didn’t realise this book was mainly about poaching pheasants. It was told in Dahls fun and silly style but I felt uncomfortable with how it glorified hunting. I did like the inclusion of the BFG and the story about the bull frogs which I read in his memoir.
jeffcarlson96's review against another edition
5.0
Go back and read all your favorite books from childhood, especially if they’re Roald Dahl. This is genuinely one of my favorite stories: a whimsical, sweet, and mischievous father and son adventure.
“What I have been trying so hard to tell you all along is simply that my father, without the slightest doubt, was the most marvelous and exciting father any boy ever had.”
“What I have been trying so hard to tell you all along is simply that my father, without the slightest doubt, was the most marvelous and exciting father any boy ever had.”
kindle_and_crossstitch's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
davidcottington's review against another edition
5.0
Next time someone asks about my relationship with my father, I will simply tell them this story, as if my own... 'David the Champion if the World'!
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Firm favourite for me, and now my son. Wonderful characters and father-son relationship.
A few years ago, my son (then aged 4-5) and I worked our way through Roald Dahl. Mostly the audiobooks, but some at bedtimes. We missed out Danny, I didn't think he'd concentrate on it as he could on the others, the story was a little more dense, the relationship more central to the plot. I realised recently we'd missed out Danny (he's now 9!), and we've listened to this in the car over a couple of weeks.
My son was taken in from the start, with the caravan, the filling station and Danny as a young mechanic. I loved hearing again about his fantastic father, his stories (cue the first appearance of the BFG) and twinkly eyes. Listening along was a pleasure. The narrator (known for his voiceovers on CBeebies) made an amiable and engaging reader.
It's a different world, the world of Danny and his Dad. The green space of decades ago, village life, corporal punishment in schools, poaching. Quite an education for a 21st century child.
But Danny still feels relatable - his is a one-parent family, he has troubles at school, he adores his Dad. And the story of the child attempting to overcome the more powerful adult (here the ghastly Mr Hazell) is one that never goes out of fashion.
Definitely not quite as suitable for the younger audience as Mr Twit, Mr Fox and Charlie. But it's as much a part of Dahl canon as any of his other slightly-better-known works (and with a superb film made of it as well).
Inventive and resourceful children will learn a lot from Danny. Just watch out when they offer your raisins.
For ages 7-10 in particular.
A few years ago, my son (then aged 4-5) and I worked our way through Roald Dahl. Mostly the audiobooks, but some at bedtimes. We missed out Danny, I didn't think he'd concentrate on it as he could on the others, the story was a little more dense, the relationship more central to the plot. I realised recently we'd missed out Danny (he's now 9!), and we've listened to this in the car over a couple of weeks.
My son was taken in from the start, with the caravan, the filling station and Danny as a young mechanic. I loved hearing again about his fantastic father, his stories (cue the first appearance of the BFG) and twinkly eyes. Listening along was a pleasure. The narrator (known for his voiceovers on CBeebies) made an amiable and engaging reader.
It's a different world, the world of Danny and his Dad. The green space of decades ago, village life, corporal punishment in schools, poaching. Quite an education for a 21st century child.
But Danny still feels relatable - his is a one-parent family, he has troubles at school, he adores his Dad. And the story of the child attempting to overcome the more powerful adult (here the ghastly Mr Hazell) is one that never goes out of fashion.
Definitely not quite as suitable for the younger audience as Mr Twit, Mr Fox and Charlie. But it's as much a part of Dahl canon as any of his other slightly-better-known works (and with a superb film made of it as well).
Inventive and resourceful children will learn a lot from Danny. Just watch out when they offer your raisins.
For ages 7-10 in particular.