This reading was equally hilarious and spooky to me. But it doesn't surpass the first one. It's good but is overshadowed by the brilliance and background of its predecessor.

The story begins at the end of the previous book when Charlie, his family, and Mr. Wonka head to the factory in the elevator and embark on an adventure full of impossible situations and circumstances.

My main issue with this book is the way the space theme was used. I'm very careful not to read this type of thing in books as it's not a genre I'm comfortable with. I didn't expect this book to have that kind of theme and I didn't enjoy it.

The part I did enjoy was the political parody. The way they try to solve problems by focusing on unimportant琐事 made me laugh out loud. Also, the reflection on the excessive use of medications is a very important topic. The situation is absurd but more enjoyable than the space travel.

The narration is from an omniscient perspective and has that charm of telling a story full of impossible episodes. Each book by the author has a teaching and a denunciation of society. On one hand, the teaching about the excessive use of pills is very interesting. On the other hand, the parody of the way politicians act in a tense moment was very hilarious to me.

My first comment is that the elevator ride definitely scared me a lot. Wonka is an ingenious character, but in this case, the idea of going down with the elevator to the chocolate factory shocked me.

When I think this reading can't get any weirder, it does. From chapter 18, the plot takes an even more absurd turn. Wonka takes out some rejuvenating pills and the grandparents of Charlie share them and each takes four. Josephine becomes a few-month-old baby, George a one-year-old baby, and Georgina disappears because she was the youngest. This is clearly a guided criticism of people who abuse medications and use them excessively, but I think the story of Georgiana is too exaggerated. It gets to the point of being spooky with all that story of Minusland and the way they bring Georgiana back.

In the end, the grandparents managed to get out of bed as they received an invitation from the White House for their help given to the astronauts as the aliens almost ate them.

Regarding the plot twists, there were two that I thought were very absurd, the space travel and the trip to Minusland. The way to demonstrate the magic of the glass elevator in each of the scenes was present, but still, I prefer the first book over this one. Another twist that scared me a lot was the encounter and confrontation with the carnivorous aliens, due to the fleeting way they appeared and the following situations.

The first unexpected plot twist, after Wonka makes his crew look like Martians and scares the space center and the ironic characters of the White House, they are terrorized by extraterrestrials who give them a very direct warning and ask them to leave the space hotel.

The author presents us with a bunch of environments that have no explanation at all and from which only a sketch can be made from the author's descriptions, such as Minusland which has such a dark and mysterious atmosphere.

Regarding the main characters, we are not given a different facet, but rather the idea expressed in the first book is reaffirmed.

Charlie is a sweet and optimistic boy.

Willy Wonka shows the same, and it should be noted that his performance in front of the authorities in the space hotel made me laugh out loud and shows his shrewder and more idealistic side.

Regarding the grandparents, they have their moment in one of the most impossible scenes and do something truly ridiculous.

This was truly bad.

I vividly remember reading it when I was a kid and initially thinking it was rather surprising. However, as I delved deeper, I realized that it was far from what I had expected.

No, it's just a random and truly bad sequel. It lacks the coherence and charm that the original might have had.

The plot seems to be thrown together haphazardly, with no real thought or direction.

The characters are not developed properly, and their actions and decisions seem arbitrary.

Overall, it's a disappointment and a waste of time.

I can't help but wonder why anyone would bother to create such a lackluster sequel.

It serves as a reminder that not all sequels are worth the effort.

Sometimes, it's better to leave a good thing alone and not try to milk it for more.

This particular sequel is a prime example of what can go wrong when creativity and quality are sacrificed for the sake of making a quick buck.

Published: 05/05/2005

Author: Roald Dahl

Recommended for: Children

In this captivating story, we are presented with a vivid account of what transpires in the life of Charlie Bucket and his family subsequent to his remarkable win of the chocolate factory. We accompany Charlie, his beloved Grampa, and the eccentric Willy Wonka on a series of thrilling adventures and exciting journeys. This is the amazing sequel to the renowned "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". It is truly a great children's book as it serves to expand their vivid imagination and fully engage them in the enchanting narrative. It is a delightfully silly, fun-filled, and humorous book that children are bound to enjoy and cherish. In my personal opinion, although it may not quite reach the same heights as its predecessor, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", it still remains a really good and engaging story that is sure to capture the hearts of young readers.

4 - 4.5 stars

This book serves as a good follow-up to the first one. It continues the story in an engaging way, picking up where the previous installment left off. However, it doesn't quite have the same level of magic that the first book possessed. The plot is still interesting and keeps the reader hooked, with new characters and developments adding depth to the overall narrative.

The writing is solid, with the author's style remaining consistent throughout. The descriptions are vivid, allowing the reader to easily picture the scenes and settings.

While it may not reach the same heights as the first book, it is still a worthy read for fans of the series. It offers enough entertainment and excitement to satisfy most readers, even if it doesn't quite capture the same sense of wonder. Overall, it's a good addition to the series that will likely please those who have been following along.

The writing in this particular piece was of a certain quality, which is quite commendable. However, when it comes to the plot, it unfortunately leaves a bit to be desired as it is rather forgettable. It fails to make a lasting impression on the reader's mind.

Moreover, there is an aspect that is truly unsettling. It is quite concerning to come across a British author penning a racially charged conversation between the President of the USA and the Prime Minister of China within the pages of a children's book. This kind of content seems highly inappropriate and out of place in a medium that is meant to be innocent and educational for young minds.

One would expect a children's book to focus on positive values, engaging stories, and characters that inspire. Instead, this particular instance raises questions about the author's intentions and the potential impact it could have on the impressionable minds of children. It is essential that authors exercise greater responsibility and sensitivity when creating content for this vulnerable audience.

I read this to a computer several times trying to train it to recognize my voice: Dragon Naturally Speaking. However, I ended up calling it Dragon Naturally Failing because the program simply never worked as it was advertised, even though I purchased several generations of it. To my knowledge, no speech to text software works satisfactorily, except perhaps the one that court (voice) reporters use.

The story, as always, is a basket full of nightmares. It is written by the master of Children's Dark Fantasy: Beelzebub, himself. In this tale, Charlie Spitbucket and his bedridden grandparents engage in some rather wild and crazy adventures with flying monkeys in space. It's a story that might be best avoided, as it could potentially give you some rather strange and disturbing dreams.

Overall, my experience with the speech recognition program was less than ideal, and the story seems to be just as strange and unsettling. It makes me wonder if there are any truly reliable speech to text programs out there, and if there are any children's dark fantasy stories that are actually enjoyable to read.

Roald Dahl was inspired by the global interest in space travel during that era (1972), as well as by the literary trend towards scientific fantasy. This led him to write this particular book, which is different from all his others. It is a continuation of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and was awarded the 'Nene Award' in 1978. However, it continues to divide the reading public due to its 'exaggerated' story that doesn't seem to 'want' to delve deeper, especially into the characters.

Despite all this, the book has several humorous'moments' and dialogues, especially between the President and the strict Vice-President of the United States or between Charlie's grandparents. And the story 'unfolds' like a cinematic fairytale.

It easily entertains both children and adults during the quarantine period.

Ratings: 4/5 or 8/10.

Book 5 of the week when I decided to read beloved children's books:

Ah, I don't know. While it had many interesting and clever ideas and was witty in many places, I think it failed to hold my attention. Maybe because I haven't read the first book in the series? I will definitely try something else by Roald Dahl, probably Matilda, and I hope I will like it more.

Rating: 3.5/5

This week, I delved into the fifth book of my chosen children's literature. It presented some truly fascinating concepts and had moments of great humor. However, overall, it just didn't quite have that captivating power for me. I wonder if it's because I skipped the initial installment of the series. Nevertheless, I remain intrigued by Roald Dahl's works. I'm determined to give another one a go, likely Matilda. I'm hopeful that this next choice will resonate with me on a deeper level and provide a more enjoyable reading experience.

The rating of 3.5/5 reflects my somewhat mixed feelings about this particular book. It had its strengths, but it also fell short in certain aspects. I'm excited to see what the future holds with my exploration of Dahl's other works.

I really think Wonka needs to stick with his Chocolate Factory...

Maybe it's just me, but this one just didn't have the same spark as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We last left Charlie and his family soaring up into the sky in the great glass elevator. They're about to start their next big adventure, with their feet firmly planted in the sky.

Physics aside, the Bucket Family and Willy Wonka putter around rather amusingly until they spot a space station hotel. The moment they set foot into the station, all heck breaks loose. I didn't know where to look. Between Charlie, Mr. Wonka, his parents and all four of his grandparents, there was surely enough misadventures to keep even the most restless of children entertained.

Overall, this was an interesting one. I certainly couldn't have predicted where this was going but was pleasantly surprised by the ending. That being said, I was really disappointed that this one paled so much in comparison with the first novel. There was no naughty kids getting their just deserts, there weren't any creepily cheerful Oompa-Loompa songs and hardly any chocolate factory.

I don't think I'll be going for a reread any time soon.

Audiobook Comments

Really enjoyed all of the inflections and tones. Certainly made this one fun to listen to! Douglas Hodge certainly knew what he was doing when he read this one!

YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads

Dear, but much less successful than his other books. Only for children.

This statement presents an interesting perspective on a particular work. It seems that while the book is dear in some way, perhaps due to its content or the author's connection to it, it doesn't achieve the same level of success as the author's other literary creations. The limitation to only being for children might also contribute to its relatively lower success rate. It could be that the target audience of children has different expectations and preferences compared to a more general readership. However, it's important to note that success can be measured in many ways, and just because a book may not be as commercially successful as others doesn't mean it doesn't have value. It could still bring joy and inspiration to the children who read it.

Maybe the author can consider ways to expand the book's appeal or find new markets for it. This could involve collaborating with illustrators to enhance the visual aspect or adapting the story for different media, such as film or television. By doing so, the book might have a better chance of reaching a wider audience and achieving greater success.

In conclusion, while the book may be less successful than the author's other works, it still holds potential and value. With the right approach and a bit of creativity, it could find its place in the hearts and minds of more readers, both young and old.

Not as great as the first part, but still enjoyable. I have a distinct feeling, and I might just add Roald Dahl to my 'to read everything I can get my hands on' list. The storytelling, as absurd as it may seem at times, is truly indulging. It's one of those things that makes you lose yourself in the narrative. I know without a doubt that if I had read this when I was a child, I would have adored it. And interestingly enough, I'm still liking it as an adult. That really speaks volumes about the charm and appeal of Roald Dahl's work. It has this universal quality that can capture the hearts and imaginations of both the young and the not-so-young. It's a testament to his skill as a storyteller that his books can continue to bring joy and entertainment across different age groups.

Let me read it and I won't be as picky as Veruca Salt!! I WANT TO READ IT!!!!

Veruca Salt is a character known for her extreme pickiness and demanding nature. But I promise that when you let me read it, I won't be like her at all. I am eager and excited to read whatever it is that you have for me.

I understand that sometimes people are reluctant to share their work because they are afraid of criticism or being judged. But with me, you don't have to worry about that. I will approach your work with an open mind and a positive attitude.

So please, don't hold back. Let me read it and I will do my best to give you honest and helpful feedback. I can't wait to see what you have created!