Book Review:
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Author: Roald Dahl
Verdict: 3.5/5
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator is the second issue of
the proposed Charlie Bucket Adventures Series written by beloved children’s
novelist Roald Dahl. His most famous
works are Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG and Fantastic Mr Fox. His
novels have been adapted to critically acclaimed films. He is considered one of
the greatest children’s storyteller of all time.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator’s plot has two parts.
It begins with Willy Wonka, who shows his improved Glass Elevator to the Bucket
family. The Elevator shoots up into the orbit of the Earth in outer space where
they encounter US Government’s latest creation, a Space Hotel. They Board the
hotel where they encounter extra-terrestrial beings called the Vermicious Knids
who are waiting for humans to come aboard the Space Hotel.
The second part involves Willy Wonka trying to make the
grandparents more active so that they help him in running the factory by giving
them a potion that makes them eighty years younger.
The character of Willy Wonka again retains his sarcastic and
humorous character, proving once again why he is such a beloved character. The
most valuable character addition to the story are of the President Lancelot R.
Gilligrass, Vice President Elvira Tibbs and those around them. The
portrayal of the President and his yes-men give a sense of Deja-Vu considering
the current affairs. Other fun characters were the three astronauts and the
artistical portrayal of the Vermicious knids.
The plot is relatively set up very early in the novel and
becomes interesting right from the beginning chapter. Dahl takes the bizarreness
of the story to another level from the previous novel. Dahl’s novel can be
enjoyed by both adults and children. Hence, I was surprised by the black-comedy
Dahl played with (killing of 24 Space hotel staff). Another impressive feature
is the social commentary talked in the novel which showed the perception people
in and out of power have about each other. This is still relevant to this day.
(Eg: A comment on the dancing styles of Native Americans). However, the grandparents once again are the
least interesting part of the novel. This was salt on wound considering the
latter half was focused on them. Charlie and Grandpa Joe again play the
second-fiddle to Willy Wonka satisfactorily. Needless to say, I had a difficult
time following Willy Wonka to Minusland to find Grandma Georgina.
All in all, it was a very fun book. Children will have a very good time as they
are the focus demographic. This is the kind of paraphernalia children dream
about. As for adults, this won’t be anything more than a suggestion to your
younger siblings if they ever pop a concerned question.
