Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, reviewed by Manya Manushi

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Reviewed by
Name: Manya Manushi (9 years)
School: Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School, Humayun Road, New Delhi.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is an adventurous story of Charlie Bucket’s trip to a chocolate factory. Charlie Bucket, a poor boy lives in a small wooden house on the outskirts of a big town with his parents and four grandparents. The love among the family members makes their abject poverty bearable. Close to Charlie’s house, is a famous chocolate factory owned by Mr. Willy Wonka, a mysterious man . One day, a ‘Golden Tickets’ contest is announced by him with a life time supply of sweets to the winner.
Charlie wins a ticket along with four other children. Augustus Gloop, a very greedy boy, Veruca Salt, a rich spoilt child, Violet Beauregarde, who does nothing but chew gum all day and Mike Teavee, who spends all day watching TV and doesn’t really get excited about anything else.

The children touring the chocolate factory with Willy Wonka are faced with amazing inventions, unbelievable sweets and of course the Oompa-Loompas (the undiscovered small people) who work in the factory. Charlie not only completes the tour but also becomes the owner of the world’s biggest chocolate factory. His strength of character and resilience helps him in winning Mr. Wonka over. The other four children get punishment befitting their indisciplined behaviour.

My favourite character Mr. Willy Wonka, the world’s best chocolate maker, comes across as a shrewd man with no heart in the beginning. But as the plot progresses, one starts to appreciate Willy Wonka’s acumen. His unique way of selecting the ‘new owner’ for his factory is intriguing and deserves adoration.

The fairy tale of Charlie’s adventure is very well written and puts you in splits many times in course of reading the novel. I recommend this book because of the strong emphasis laid on familial love and good behavior. It also teaches us that fortune and fortitude are interrelated and always work alongside.