Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
**3.5-stars**
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator is cute and so silly. A great, fun, wacky, witty and energetic read for children.
While I don’t feel the same pull, love, or nostalgia to this as I do to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I can still appreciate Dahl’s imagination and ability to bring fiction to life.
I read this when I was a kid and I’m not sure I truly understood a lot of what was going on, as it does jump around quickly, and there’s a bit of a Cold War humor undertone to it that I’m sure escaped me.
However, I’m not sure I tracked much more this time around in my 40s, though not necessarily for the same reasons.
I did love the incorporation of Charlie’s family more, particularly when their ages were getting messed with towards the end by some of Wonka’s inventions.
I did definitely miss the magic and wonder of the Chocolate Factory. There’s something about the idea of those endless and impossible sweets that is sure to capture your heart. Also, I sort of missed the annoying other children.
Since Charlie is the best of the best though, it was nice to get to see him escape his previously tough life and go on a true adventure with his loved ones.
I love Charlie and Wonka. Classic characters for all time!