Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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 Bucket, Our Hero, a boy who is honest and kind, brave and true, and good and ready for the wildest time of his life!

Why Did I Listen To This Audiobook of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl?

I have this very strong tradition of always reading a Roald Dahl book for the Dewey 24 Hour Readathons. It’s something that I just love doing and is a ritual that really puts me in the readathon mood. A few years ago, I received essentially the entire Roald Dahl audiobook collection in the mail thanks to the wonderful and lovely Penguin Audio, and so, I listened to the audiobook of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Also? I have been unable to get that Pure Imagination song out of my head and well, that just meant that I really needed to listen to this audiobook. AND NOW! I have been craving a re-watch of the Gene Wilder version.

What’s The Story Here?

So, I feel like the entire world knows this story and if not, well that is a travesty that needs to be fixed – like right this exact minute. Read the book or even watch the classic film. So, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is about this boy named Charlie Bucket who is poor. He’s so poor that he doesn’t get to eat a lot of food. His grandparents live with him and all four sleep in the same bed. He just wishes for a chocolate bar for his birthday — which lol, kids these days so ungrateful, they are lucky they aren’t Charlie Bucket pre-ticket. So, anyways, there is this big huge contest for Golden Tickets which admit one person and a guest into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and that person wins a lifetime supply of chocolate. One by one winners are chosen. Charlie’s birthday passes. Anyways, so eventually, Charlie gets the golden ticket, but for a minute there despite the title and knowing this book like the back of my hand, I was a little nervous for Charlie. Anyways, so, he gets the ticket and goes to the Chocolate Factory with one of his grandparents. There are four other children – Augustus Gloop, Violet Beauregard, Veruca Salt and Mike TV. Actually, I could be wrong on Mike’s name. Anyways, they all get this tour and one by one begin to drop out of the tour for various reasons.

Any New Insights This Go Around?

I think that maybe when you read a book enough times, you get something new or different out of the book each time. While I was listening to Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, I had the thought that Willy Wonka is kind of a jerk for outsourcing all those jobs. In fact, he is probably the reason Charlie’s family is so poor. I mean, if he didn’t give all the factory jobs to the Oompa Loompas and instead just kept on the workers, I bet their economy would be better. And, okay, I understand why he kicked all his employees out, because of selling secrets, but for real, it definitely sucks for those people who did not do that.

Those Oompa Loompas, btw, are sassy bastards. For real. I mean, with their rhymes about each kid being eliminated. It is a little bit mean, but also funny and I laughed while listening.

How’s The Narration?

If it’s not Gene Wilder, my favorite Willy Wonka, the narrator might as well be Douglas Hodge. I have no idea who Hodge is but, he can narrate all the Dahl books and all the Charlie Bucket books. He is excellent. He infuses the story with vocal inflections and various voices for the characters. His narration for Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is absolutely on point – which really enhanced my time with this book.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

This song is never getting out of my head.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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