Mahdinam Saif Prisun

"Let me get something straight: this is a JOURNAL, not a diary"

This is the first book of the series about young Greg and his journaling. The story is ordinary as it is. We get to see Greg and sometimes his friend Rowley go to school, have fun, survive halloween, and get caught in all kinds of fun situations — fun for us, not for them.

The book is lighthearted and entertaining. There seems to be no climax as it is just a JOURNAL, but also not a boring one. The classmates, the parents, the teacher, the troubles Greg finds himself in, and the cheese — the whole book was captivating. The inner voice written down by Greg really felt like something a child would think like. The childish logic and the middle school stress he goes through are the most enjoyable things about this book. It can keep the reader glued to the pages from the start throughout the end, and keep craving to read what happens next on the life of Greg.

"The five lucky children will be allowed to see all the secrets and magic of the factory" — and we got to see the magic.

The story was fun from the beginning to the end. Five kids got the golden tickets — Charlie being the lucky fifth kid getting his ticket the day before the tour. All of them got to visit Mr Willy Wonka and his factory. Wonka was an interesting figure with his inventions and contraptions that feel magical, but the children were even more peculiar. We got to tour the factory with the group and see all the fun inventions and not-so-smart moves by the kids (and their parents).

The story captured the fun magical theme of an impossible factory. It was just like a fairy tale to read. However, the readers have to push through some of the dialogue to actually enjoy the whole story. Like Wonka sometimes talks nonsense, even for his own character. But it ends in magic just as it starts with excitement.

It is the first book I read from Kafka. It was everything I thought it would be. Even after a hundred years, I can relate it to the present.

Picturing the society in a trippy way... It was a treat. The social theme was beautifully illustrated here. Remembering which animal was who was a fun sidequest while reading this book. I'd like to see the pigs standing on two legs if someone can paint it as explained on the book.