Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

Another book I read this year to my daughter, a chapter each night.

Roald Dahl writes terrible characters - by which I mean he writes terrible characters well. Four awful children with equally awful parents; and of course, Willy Wonka. Charlie Bucket, is the exception, and a bit of a wet blanket. Even Grandpa Joe is marginal. Lazing about in his bed unable to contribute anything to the family until Charlie finds his golden ticket, suddenly Grandpa Joe is jumping around the room and well enough to accompany him on his factory tour - seems fishy to me.

And the factory - fantastical chocolate inventions, as absurd as they sound, Oompa-Loompa - slave labour (who you need only feed caterpillars), a multi-dimensional lift which no engineer is likely to replicate.

What a great load of fun for kids who are pushing the limits of their imagination (and motivated by chocolate). I don't recall ever reading the book in my childhood, but for me I guess, Gene Wilder will always be the Willy Wonka I conjure up when thinking about this book. Him and those orange Donald Trump-esque Oompa-Loompas.

4.5 stars rounded down.