I saw the movies before I actually read the book, but I say that book is much, much better than what the movies act out.
The original movie did not stick to the story line of the book, and that really brought it down for me, the newer one was closer to the actual book, but it didn't bring out the full potential of it.
And the actors who played Willy Wonka were nothing like the one in the book!

Basically, I like the book much more than the movies, but then again, the book is usually better than the movies.

The imagination in the book was amazing to say the least, the magic that are written on the pages should insprise children to try and reach their dream.
It really was a great book, I clap for Roald Dahl, a book well written. ( )

Like all of Dahl's books, this one is delightfully cruel. At first, I thought that Charlie Bucket was a bit of a dull protagonist, but then I realized that the chocolate factory itself is the real protagonist of this story. God, I wish there really was such a thing as a whipple-scrumptious fudgemallow delight. Or grass that was made of sugar.

From the legendary Roald Dahl who never fails to delight, thrill, and utterly captivate people of all ages comes a book that will surely enchant you. If you're a lover of chocolate and anything that's magical, then you should've read this as a child growing up.

For the first time in a decade, Willy Wonka, the reclusive and eccentric chocolate maker, is opening his doors to the public--well, five members of the public to be exact. The lucky five who find a Golden Ticket in their Wonka chocolate bars will receive a private tour of the factory, given by Mr. Wonka himself.

"Mr. Willy Wonka can make marshmallows that taste of violets, and rich caramels that change color every ten seconds that you suck them, and little feathery sweets that melt away deliciously the moment you put them between your lips. He can make chewing gum that never loses its taste, and candy balloons that you can blow up to enormous sizes before you pop them with a pin and gobble them up."

For young Charlie Bucket, this a dream come true. And, when he finds a dollar bill in the street, he can't help but buy two Wonka's Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delights--even though his impoverished family could certainly use the extra dollar for food. But as Charlie unwraps the second chocolate bar, he sees the glimmer of gold just under the wrapper!

The very next day, Charlie, along with his unworthy fellow winners Mike Teavee, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregarde, and Augustus Gloop, steps through the factory gates to discover whether or not the rumors surrounding the Chocolate Factory and its mysterious owner are true. What they find is that the gossip can't compare to the extraordinary truth, and for Charlie, life will never be the same again.

The rest of the tale is one of scrumptous folly and nerve-wracking sentiment, highlighted by magical workers (the one and only Oompa Loompas), the etheral Willy Wonka, a host of loony characters - both adults and kids - and a thrill ride in a factory where time stands still and also rocks forwards, backwards, sideways and then some!

"All the most wonderful smells in the world seemed to be mixed up in the air around them--the smell of roasting coffee and burnt sugar and melting chocolate and mint and violets and crushed hazelnuts and apple blossom and caramel and lemon peel..."

It's a classic tale of the triumph of good over evil, generosity over greed and family over fair-weathered friends.

Book Details:

Title Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Author Roald Dahl
Reviewed By Purplycookie ( )

http://pixxiefishbooks.blogspot.com/2...

A children's classic, of course. If you have not read this book, you must do so. The recent movie with Johnny Depp is not, in any way, a substitute. While the storytelling is not always the most subtle in tone, kids love this story and adults get a kick out of it too, as bad children end up where we only wish we could send them in real life, and the good kid comes out, for once, ahead of the others.

From the back of the book:
Willy Wonka's famous chocolate factory is opening at last! But only five lucky children will be allowed inside. And the winners are: Augustus Gloop, an enormously fat boy whose hobby is eating; Veruca Salt, a spoiled-rotten brat whose parents are wrapped around her little finger; Violet Beauregarde, a dim-witted gum-chewer with the fastest jaws around; Mike Teavee, a toy pistol-toting gangster-in-training who is obsessed with television; and Charlie Buket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life! ( )

I've always been a big fan of the movie and didn't realize until only recently that it was based on a book. Honestly, I didn't expect this book to be that great as I'm usually skeptical about how much I'll enjoy a children's book, being an adult myself.

I loved this book. I knew the story, having seen both the Gene Wilder and the Johnny Depp version of the films multiple times. I still loved the book. I actually found myself getting a little teary eyed in some parts, such as when Charlie finally gets his ticket and Grandpa Joe gets up and dances. I was so happy, even though I knew it was coming.

I am beginning to love Roald Dahl more and more and will definitely continue to read more of his books. ( )