100 Books Challenge discussion

This thread is for discussion of our January group read - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl which is scheduled to begin on Jan. 20.

I know it is early, but thought I would leave this thread open since December was a catch up month.

Feel free to post info about the book, movies (my favorite version is the one with Gene Wilder) and/or the author. Please do hide spoilers or at least give a warning to stop reading if they haven't read as far as you.

I'm looking forward to this one. Have never read it.

Anyone else want to lead the discussion ... either in a very casual manner or by posting questions, etc.? I'm just so busy with helping hubby learn to talk again. And I'm a bit fried some days. Exhausted today, but have a couple of crochet orders to complete by Wednesday so have to get to it.

So glad you started this thread, as I had somehow completed forgotten about this book! I've never read it, and I never saw the movie.

It was my nomination, so I'm willing to lead the discussion.

I ordered the paperback from Amazon and it arrived today. Goes against my grain to buy his book as I've heard negative things about this author. That said, I am glad to be reading the book as I loved the movie & didn't want to wait on a copy from the library.

Thanks, Tessa, for leading the discussion. Somehow I missed that when I first read your post. Too distracted, I guess.

14 medical appointments this month for us. And that doesn't include one cancelled b/c of flooding this week and one for my granddaughter. I told my son he needed to take her. He's a single dad again (has full custody), but he's a farm hand and has no problem getting time off in the winter.

We'll be leaving soon for what I hope is the last one this month. LOL

Sure hope this slows down in the new year!!

Well I couldn't go to the library today because it was closed due to a water main break. Not sure it will be open tomorrow and if NOT, then I'll have to wait until next weekend to get the book.

I got a copy from Amazon. Thought the grandkids might like it.

I'm enjoying it so far.

Finally got to the library and picked up my book. It's on audio and I'll start it as soon as I finish my current audio book -

Looking forward to your thoughts on it. I finished a few days ago.

I'm sorry everyone .... but the proverbial S*** has hit the fan and I won't get to the book until much later in the month (if at all).

Please don't hold back on discussion waiting for me.

I finished this one a week or more ago. Just picked up The Secret Garden from the library so want to put some thoughts down about Charlie ... before I get too far along in another children's classic. I did enjoy this book ... even more than I thought I would. Have read some negative things about Dahl and haven't been too anxious to read his books for that reason. (view spoiler)[I didn't care for how some people were described in the book. Some very negative attitudes and descriptions were made. Also, Willy Wonka's attitude bothered me. Even though he knew that the kids who went up the pipe or down the stream would be ok, their parents did not know this. Granted they were not the best parents, but they were worried and Willy Wonka showed no compassion. I've gotten that off my chest so ... there were some very funny moments and lessons to be learned and it ended very well for Charlie and his family. I did love that! (hide spoiler)]

I do hope some others of you will join in with us and read this. I love that we have 2 children's classics to start off this year.

Here are some links that might interest you (beware of spoilers!!):

http://www.roalddahl.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_Dahl

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie... 2005 version w/Johnny Depp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willy_W... early version w/Gene Wilder

Questions from this website http://www.shmoop.com/charlie-chocola...

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.

1.What would have happened if Charlie hadn't found a Golden Ticket? How would he have survived?

2.If you could create a candy – any candy in the world – what would it taste like and what other effects would it have? Go crazy; it doesn't have to be rooted in reality. Willy Wonka certainly isn't.

3.Which is the worst offense: being gluttonous (eating too much), greedy, spoiled, or lazy? Which of those do you relate to the most? (No one's judging – we're all guilty of something!)

4.Which would have been the most fun room in the factory to explore? Why?

5.(view spoiler)[What will Charlie be like as the factory owner? Will he let children come explore, or keep it closed to the public? (hide spoiler)]

6.Why are the Oompa-Loompas always laughing? What do you think they're laughing at?

7.There has been a lot of controversy over the casting of the two movies based on the book. Who would you cast as Willy Wonka? And as Charlie?

8.Imagine there were a fifth naughty child: a bully. Now write the Oompa-Loompas' song about that bully.

And there are more if you're interested.

1.What would have happened if Charlie hadn't found a Golden Ticket? How would he have survived?
Would have been very disappointed, but realistic about it as the chance was extremely slim. Not sure they would have survived as the food situation was dire.

2.If you could create a candy – any candy in the world – what would it taste like and what other effects would it have? Go crazy; it doesn't have to be rooted in reality. Willy Wonka certainly isn't.
Well, chocolate something certainly ... with pecans & maybe marshmallows.

Maybe more later ...

I never read any of Dahl's books when I was a child but have read a few in the last 10 years. I never saw the movie(s) of this one. So the entire story is a surprise to me.

As I'm listening to this audio I marvel (again) at Dahl's imagination in creating this scenario that is at once realistic and fantastical.

Loving the relationships in the Bucket family ... especially in contrast the relationships the other children have with their parent(s).

Martha wrote: "I didn't care for how some people were described in the book. Some very negative attitudes and descriptions were made. Also, Willy Wonka's attitude bothered me. .."

I see where you're coming from, Martha, but I think we have to remember that the book is aimed at children. And I think children will relate to these stereotypes ... they see the bullies and spoiled brats at school, seemingly getting everything they want while the "good kids" go unrewarded.

I'm more distressed that the big reward for all the golden ticket holders was a life-time supply of candy! LOL

So true about the candy. The fact that it is not a healthy item was never brought up. Kids do love candy and wouldn't a lifetime supply be a better prize than money? LOL

My granddaughter deals with bullies & mean girls every day ... even in our little town. 'I'll be your BFF if you give me your _____.' I ordered some books for her from the Scholastic books. When she got here, I thought the order didn't seem right. Well, one of the mean girls told her she would be nice to her from now on if she would give her this certain book. Unbelievable. She got it back the next week.

There's still lots of time left in which to read this book. It's shorter than most of our selections ... my copy was this one which only has 155 pages and many are illustrated. I do recommend it if you've never read it. Haven't read it to my grandkids yet. Just haven't had time.

If it's only 155 pages, I may read it :) I hope that it's
better than the movie, which I did not like.
As for December and January, I had committed
to a time consuming project (hosting a tournament team
on an online gaming site) and it took up a lot of time.
I have done 3- 2 week tournaments and I am done come
February 3, at 2 am EST!

Back to pleasurable, non-competitive reading!

Sounds like a busy, but fun time!! I hope you like the book.

I have to laugh. :) I was at the library and just happened to come upon this book. It was like karma. lol

I've often said books call my name from the bookshelves. :-)

6 days left! Plenty of time to read this short children's classic. :-)

I'm so glad we read this this month. Things have been very hectic in real life and this was the perfect distraction!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl – 3***
A classic children’s story with a message about good behavior being rewarded. I never read it as a child and I found it a bit over-the-top, but I can see the great appeal that this kind of “fairy tale” holds for children. Eric Idle does a marvelous job of narrating the audio book. All his skill as a voice artist is put to good use creating unique characters. I’d give him 4 stars for his narration.
Full Review HERE