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unusuallyy's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
Minor: Confinement and Physical abuse
tetedump's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
james1star'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As I’m revisiting Roald Dahl books as an adult, this was next on the list and yh… it was a decent read (*listen* - new narration by James Acaster which was great). The book follows a small orphan called James who’s sent to live with his horrible aunts Sponge and Spiker. Not long into the book, James is visited by a weird man who gives him these magic things but he trips and they make their way into the ground surrounding the peach tree. A solitary peach appears which grows and grows and James, seeking solace from his wicked aunts, travels into the peach’s stone core where he meets a bunch of giant insects. Each has their own personality and are nice despite the constant bickering. Without saying much more, James along with his fellow travellers embark on a journey using the peach as their ship which you’ll just have to read to find out about yourself. I do kind of remember the book (and movie adaptation) from before but not entirely and some parts did seem quite new to me as well. I enjoyed it and liked how funny it was in all honesty - Acaster certainly added to this humours element with different voices for the characters. The story isn’t a favourite of mine with maybe less lovable/relatable characters compared to some other Dahl books, similarly the messages weren’t that insightful. I guess the main one being the crucial role of insects in making the world go round. That being said, the adventure was entertaining and I certainly see it’s appeal for the intended children audience.
Note: I used to have a bad relationship with this book because, being big myself, I was bullied in primary school and children would say ‘James is a giant peach’ when we read it as a collective… so yh there’s some trauma exposed on here.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Child abuse
blitz_ramna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child abuse
Minor: Physical abuse and Confinement
00phantom's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child abuse
another_dahlia's review
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Two peach vehicular homicides, child abuse, and a cast of whiny characters. What's not to love?
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
katievh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Cursing
jobarber's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
natreadstheworld's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Orphaned at a young age, James is sent to live with his two spinster aunts. After several long years of torment, something magical happens that sends sends his life spinning in a very different direction - and so begins a fantastical adventure that changes James' life forever.
I loved the whimsical spirit of this book. The first couple of chapters are a bit intense, featuring the excessive abuse from his aunts, but once the magic starts, it's an easier read. I do think the magic of the story is enough to overcome the intensity of the first few chapters, at least for most readers. Spurred by mysterious magic, James sets out on an adventure unlike any other, quickly forming close friendships with his unusual traveling companions, the bugs within the peach. The adventures are light-hearted and fully of whimsy. Often, the fantastical elements of the story are presented without explanation, they're simply a part of the story, accepted as-is. This makes for an easy, simple read that allows the reader to focus only on the story as it happens, rather than puzzling out the way the magic works in this world.
I found this to be an easy and enjoyable read. The chapters are also short and simple, making it a perfect beginning chapter reader.
I loved the whimsical spirit of this book. The first couple of chapters are a bit intense, featuring the excessive abuse from his aunts, but once the magic starts, it's an easier read. I do think the magic of the story is enough to overcome the intensity of the first few chapters, at least for most readers. Spurred by mysterious magic, James sets out on an adventure unlike any other, quickly forming close friendships with his unusual traveling companions, the bugs within the peach. The adventures are light-hearted and fully of whimsy. Often, the fantastical elements of the story are presented without explanation, they're simply a part of the story, accepted as-is. This makes for an easy, simple read that allows the reader to focus only on the story as it happens, rather than puzzling out the way the magic works in this world.
I found this to be an easy and enjoyable read. The chapters are also short and simple, making it a perfect beginning chapter reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
Note: I've seen some comments present the book as being fatphobic, due to the large size of one of the villainous sisters. I do not believe the fatphobic label is accurate, because the other sister is just as equally thin, and still villainous, and both are presented as vain and selfish. Thus, their villainy is not tied to their actual physical appearance, so I don't consider it to be fatphobic. However, it's still worth noting that there does happen to be a villain in this story who is extremely large.bitterseason's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Physical abuse, and Racism