Poor James. A rhino kills his mum and dad and he is sent to live with his repulsive aunts at the top of a lonely hill. Just when life can’t get any worse, a dropped packet of magical crocodile tongues make the tree in the garden spout a gigantic peach, which is where the fun begins. There is something so delightfully wicked about Roald Dahl’s books. We rejoice when the baddies come to a sticky end – what could be stickier than being squashed to death by a giant peach? Be gone repulsive aunts! Not everyone feels the same though – the book is number 56 on the ‘100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 1990–2000’ according to the American Library Association. I find it hard to believe people seriously object to this book – enough for it to make a list. I guess Grimm Fairy Tales would probably be off the menu for those folks.
The only objection I have to the book is that I always thought the giant peach looked like a giant bottom. See what I mean?
James and the Giant Peach Published: 1961
Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Nancy Ekholm Burkert
Fruity fact one: I love blackberry picking in autumn.
Fruity fact two: Banana milkshake rocks my socks.
Fruity fact three: I once scrumped apples. They were wormy and horrible.
Fruity fact four: Segments of orange go lovely with smoked salmon fillets.
Fruity fact five: Strawberries and grapes are nice in salads.
14 comments:
Actually in that 'bottom' picture, your impression was better than mine, I won't say what I thought it looked like. Good J idea :)
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I enjoyed the movie as well as the book. It is going against adult authority that gets books in trouble. I tend to like a lot on the list.
I recently read this book to my son, and it was just as good as I remember it (and just as brutal to the evil aunties).
I would much rather James than most of the "social issues" books those who object to James seem to think are suitable!
We used to get eat up by chiggers when we went blackberry picking! But it was always worth it :)
My fourth grade teacher read books to us after lunch and this was one of them! Happy memories, thanks.
This is a happy memory book. Ronald Dahl got right what adults missed. A great J.
Hmmm, hadn't thought about orange segments and salmon. Sounds yummy!
What's 'scrumped'?
I haven't read the book but loved the movie. I'm thinking the same thing as Charmaine in your 'bottom' picture! lol
This book is pure fond memories.
Between the bottom comment and Charmaine's comment, I'm laughing.
Dahl's books are dark in the midst of delight. I didn't read this until I was an adult, but I enjoyed it.
I'd actually kind of forgotten the beginning. I haven't read any Dahl for so long but they spoke to me as a child like literally nothing else- he was a master
James and the Giant Peach is my favorite Roald Dahl book! I've always been fascinated by the idea of traveling inside an enormous peach with human-sized insects. Roald Dahl is so imaginative!
I think I will have a fruit salad for lunch...banana, blueberries, strawberries....mmmmm.
I think your take on the A to Z challenge is awesome. I've loved reading your posts about these books. (I also love James and the Giant Peach :-) )
Thank you for these!
Funny - I love Roald Dahl and yet I still haven't read this book! Matilda was my favourite, along with his autobiographies.
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