Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory: The Complete Story of Willy Wonka, the Golden Ticket, and Roald Dahl's Most Famous Creation is a 2014 non-fiction book by Lucy Mangan. It was released at the same time as the 50th anniversary edition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory[1] and looks at the origin and history of that story.[2]
 | |
| Author | Lucy Mangan |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Published | 2014 |
| Publisher | Puffin Books |
| Publication place | England |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| Pages | 213 |
| ISBN | 978-0147513489 |
| OCLC | 871044357 |
Reception
editInside Charlie's Chocolate Factory has generally received good reviews. The San Diego Book Review wrote, "True fans who have grown up adoring the film, and have shared it with future generations, will revel in seeing the details of Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory come to life and re-inspire the love for the story all over again. This is a book which must accompany viewing whichever platform your heart connects to Charlie, the boy we all dreamed we could be, befriend so we too could enjoy the spoils of the candy forest and meet the Umpa Lumpas first hand."[3] Kirkus Reviews called it "an effusive celebration", a "chatty volume" and concluded "Mainly for die-hard Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fans who want more than the novel itself."[4] School Library Journal wrote "Kids might be turned off by the nostalgic sensibility of the text and the sometimes over-the-top (and corny) jokes, but this title will especially strike a chord with fans of Dahl's work, students of classic children's literature, and those interested in the early days of modern publishing."[5] and Booklist found it an "engaging tribute" and "thoughtful critique".[5]
The Independent was more critical, "Unfortunately it (the book) ends up more like one of those glossy souvenir programmes sold at popular musicals, stuffed with celebrity non-stories and scores of colour photographs.... Mangan never really grapples with the points made by Dahl’s critics, which is a pity as she has the wit to produce a far more nuanced, less hagiographical account." and "But Mangan could have said more about the nature of the particular tune he played and how it sounds 50 years on."[6] The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books was more sympathetic, writing, "Some of her chapters are accessible enough to appeal to middle school, while her thoughtful analysis ... and her witty send-up of the critical reception and literary theory surrounding the book will impress readers with some literary sophistication as well as affection for Dahl."[7] The Washington Post described the book's foreword by Sophie Dahl as "charming" and referred to Mangan's "chatty tone" but also that "she doesn't offer much to draw in non-aficionados"[8]
A child's review in the San Francisco Book Review "wished that this book would focus more on the book rather than the movies/stage versions of the book ... note(d) that the book seems directed to an adult audience", and "recommend(ed) this book to all Roald Dahl and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fans".[9]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Roald Dahl's cut Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chapter revealed". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 50 Years Later". Esquire. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ Wendy Stevens (15 August 2015). "Inside Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". www.sandiegobookreview.com. San Diego Book Review. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ "Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory". Kirkus Reviews. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory The Complete Story of Willy Wonka, the Golden Ticket, and Roald Dahl's Most Famous Creation". www.sccl.bibliocommons.com. Santa Clara County Library District. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ Tucker, Nicholas (7 September 2014). "Lucy Mangan, Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory, book review: Sweet nothings on Dahl is a missed opportunity". The Independent. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ "Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory: The Complete Story of Willy Wonka, the Golden Ticket, and Roald Dahl's Most Famous Creation by Lucy Mangan (review)". The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. Vol. 68, no. 3. Johns Hopkins University Press. November 2014. p. 167. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ Zipp, Yvonne (5 September 2014). "Review: 'Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory' by Lucy Mangan". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ "Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory". San Francisco Book Review. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2016.[permanent dead link]