I bought this book.

Dahl's name on a book, to me, is synonymous with a wild ride. James and the Giant Peach is quite possibly his craziest book (that I've read) so far.

Dahl's penchant for abused children facing down a cruel world sets the scene, with James Henry Trotter (whose parents were gobbled up by a rhinoceros) living a lonely, miserable life in the cruel care of his aunts Spiker and Sponge (who are, of course, truly horrible people, even for Dahl's worlds). Then one day a strange man appears and gives James magical green things, telling him to brew them into a tea and drink them and marvelous things will happen.

Parents will be close to screaming at this point, both because of the blatant abuse of the lead character and the danger of eating things strangers (and this man is indeed VERY strange) offer. Consider it an opportunity to have a talk or two about the serious subjects with your kids.

James accidentally trips and loses the green magical things, which burrow into the ground and instead work their magic on the few occupants of the horrible aunts' pitiful garden. The strange man was right, though, and the peach tree somehow surviving in such a horrible place, grows a gigantic peach that serves as boat, meal and almost a secondary character in James' voyage to freedom.

James and the Giant Peach is quite “out there”. In fact between giant bugs, sheer strangeness and outlandish extremism (and cloud people) James and the Giant Peach could fit into the bizarro genre, if it was commonly aimed at children readers.

There is some issue with language (“ass” is used several times) and the level of abuse James suffers that makes this book not for all families. But the underlying theme is one of taking your life into your own hands and choosing your own actions rather than letting the actions of others force you into things.

Dahl's books might be of particular value to families and children struggling to cope with real life abuse and pain, as every story I've read so far has pit a mostly helpless child against forces entirely out of their control, and yet through thoughtfulness and great-heartedness wonderful things come to those who choose to live beyond the harshness of the world. Like many children found solace in the Harry Potter series after the death of a parent, some might also find solace and aid in coping from Dahl's dark, but triumphant tales of recovery. ( )

It took at most five pages into the book, and I was hooked. I found myself giggling at how Aunt Spiker and Aunt Sponge tried to outdo each other, singing praises of how beautiful they thought they were.

When James arrived at the core of the Giant Peach (it deserves to be given a proper noun status, it is, afterall, a character by itself!), I fell in love with all the other characters at once. Quentin Blake is one great illustrator.

And the Cloud-Men! Just thinking about whispy things up on the clouds, throwing balls of cloud down at us as hailstones and snow, painting bridges with the seven colours of the rainbow. It just reminded me of how I used to pray and hope to see those things, when I was still little and made stories as to how rain appeared, or why there is thunder.

Lovely, lovely story. ( )

I think this book is a great read for reluctant readers. The book never has a dull moment and Dahl’s humor makes this book an enjoyable read. I would probably not have this book in an Adventist classroom but I think it would be fine in the public school system. Warning: two swear words appear in this book. Also, like most of Dahl’s books the adults are mean and don’t treat James very nicely. ( )

James and the Giant Peach is a wonderful read for young children who are getting into chapter books. I enjoyed this book as well as the movie when I was younger. It starts with a boy named James whose parents were eaten by a rhinocerous and his life traveling across the world in a huge peach with quite a few characters. These characters are all huge but incredibly friendly bugs. James befriends all of these creatures and ends uo having the adventure of a lifetime and ridding himself of his awful aunts who had tortured him for a big part of his life. You'll fall in love and cant put this book down once started!

James and the Giant Peach is a children's book written by British author, Roald Dahl. Originally published in 1961, James and the Giant Peach remains to be a favourite story amongst the younger generation these days, and like several other of Dahl's books James and the Giant Peach was adapted into a successful film in 1996.

Obviously, I do not read children's books any longer as they do not interest me, however this particular story has remained with me even 'til now. Yeah, well I don't know the story by heart and haven't memorised each and every individual character, but I remember some key points some memorable characters of Roald Dahl's awesome imagination and remember it was the first real (when I say real I mean it's more advanced that Mr Men XD) book I ever read without any help. My sister lent it me when I was young, but I don't think she has it anymore, if she did I'd love to refresh my memory on it.

Sorry I gave such a vague and basic review but I can't remember too well. If I find it again and re-read I promise to come back and re-review it :) ( )