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mindy_m 's review for:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl
It's always so wonderful re-reading an old favorite; especially a childhood favorite.
I had forgotten that Charlie and Grandpa Joe never sipped that bubble soda... Nor had I remembered that the Oompa Loompas didn't always sing specifically about the children that fell victim to their vice.
Wonka's humor is as twisted as ever, so that was lovely. And as an adult I can appreciate how this is a tale about the dangers toward Capitalism and consumerism. One of the songs even makes a point to glorify reading.
Through Augustus, you see the dangers of over-indulgence in food. (Nobody wants somebody who will selfishly consume everything.) Through Veruca, you see the dangers of the spoiled rich girl getting her materialistic heart's desire. (Money surely cannot buy you everything.) Violet shows you why a competitive heart without a rational mind/ethical heart won't get you far. And Mike is the epitome of why one must be careful about what they see, and just because you can think it up doesn't mean you should just blindly trudge forward. None of these kids are good contenders for what Wonka really wants, so it's best that they fell victim to their own issues.
But Charlie? Oh, well, Charlie observes, listens, limits himself, adheres to warnings, paces himself, and is excited about the opportunity. He's not there for a competitive edge or to obtain some new bit to bring home. No- Charlie is there for the experience of a lifetime and the ability to feed his family. And because his morals are in the right place, he gets the best gift of all.
This book still had some surprise left in it after all these years. I'm so pleased that I re-read a classic.
I had forgotten that Charlie and Grandpa Joe never sipped that bubble soda... Nor had I remembered that the Oompa Loompas didn't always sing specifically about the children that fell victim to their vice.
Wonka's humor is as twisted as ever, so that was lovely. And as an adult I can appreciate how this is a tale about the dangers toward Capitalism and consumerism. One of the songs even makes a point to glorify reading.
Through Augustus, you see the dangers of over-indulgence in food. (Nobody wants somebody who will selfishly consume everything.) Through Veruca, you see the dangers of the spoiled rich girl getting her materialistic heart's desire. (Money surely cannot buy you everything.) Violet shows you why a competitive heart without a rational mind/ethical heart won't get you far. And Mike is the epitome of why one must be careful about what they see, and just because you can think it up doesn't mean you should just blindly trudge forward. None of these kids are good contenders for what Wonka really wants, so it's best that they fell victim to their own issues.
But Charlie? Oh, well, Charlie observes, listens, limits himself, adheres to warnings, paces himself, and is excited about the opportunity. He's not there for a competitive edge or to obtain some new bit to bring home. No- Charlie is there for the experience of a lifetime and the ability to feed his family. And because his morals are in the right place, he gets the best gift of all.
This book still had some surprise left in it after all these years. I'm so pleased that I re-read a classic.