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The Review Man
Formerly of Goodreads, now of both words, in the coming times only here?
Currently reading
Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature
Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals
Simulacra and Simulation (The Body, In Theory: Histories of Cultural Materialism)
Leaven of Malice
The Salterton Trilogy
Effi Briest (Penguin Classics)
Empires of the Word: A Language History of the World
Cases And Materials On The Law Of Torts
Public Law : Cases Materials and Commentary
A Property Law Reader
Roald Dahl was one weird guy. You'd think that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a kids' book (given the title and all), and while it is in some sense, it's also a pretty trippy psych (as in psychological or psychedelic) narrative.I must have read this book over ten times as a child. Now, when I look back on it, I see it very differently. Of course the plot is fantastical and the ending is happy and yet twinged with sadness. But what I see most from Charlie now is how strange Dahl must have been to come up with such weird characters and plot ideas. The notion that Dahl probes dark human nature is certainly true, although I wouldn't read too much into this viewpoint.
What still troubles me the most about this book today is the glass elevator. Oh, the glass elevator. It was basically relegated to a cameo in Charlie, and I wanted to see a 12-hour 3-part epic... I suppose that's what Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator is for.
In the end, it's easy to differentiate a Roald Dahl book from another kids' author: his are crazier, wittier, more satirical and ultimately better.
3.5 stars.