The Witches by Roald Dahl Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.87 You Save: $4.12 (59%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.10 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Witches
Book Review: The Witches book review by Nikki Evans and Chad Caldwell
Summary: 4 Stars
"A real witch is wasily the most dangerous of all living creatures. "But, if real witches disguise themselves rather than flying around on broomsticks in pointed hats, how can you tell when you meet one?
Roald Dahl's book The Witches was a wild tale about a boy and his grandma and witches that send them on an adventure. The story starts with the boy living with his parents in England. During Christmas, he travels to Norway to live with his grandma. One day the boy and his parents get into a car crash and his parents do not survive. Based on their wishes, the boy goes to live with his grandma. It's here where the boy encounters his first witch. These witches were not "normal" as we know them; they wore wigs, have no toes, and their eyes are different than a normal woman. These witches also hate children. When the boy and his grandma decide to take a trip, they encounter these witches at a convention in the same hotel they are staying. The boy hides out in one of their meetings and soon learns that they are all here turn the children of England into mice. The boy hears the plan and the recipe of the poison. Before he could sneak out, the witches catch him and they try out their poison on him. The boy sure enough turns into a mouse. The boy and his grandma have an adventure ahead of them to try and stop these witches from turning all the children into mice.
Dahl sets the stage very well in this book because he puts the reader right in the middle of the action. This book is set in 20th century England so Dahl uses dialogue between the boy and his grandma that pertains to this era. He is very descriptive with his language and paints a vived picture in the minds of his readers.
This books falls into the fantasy genre because it contains magic from the poison and the witches that create it. This story could never happen but it is a good book for children to use their imagination and expand their creativity. This book might be a bit scary for some younger children, but for the most part it is a fun book that can further children's thinking.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book because Dahl gives us a fun story about very interesting characters. Dahl provides an opportunity for children to learn a little about the past through a young boy's adventure because Dahl brings his readers into the action. Even though this story is fictional, it provides a different aspect for children to read. Personally, i love to read about witches and other fictional characters because it provides insight and learning in another aspect than our own. This makes children able to predict and think critically about what might happen and what actually does happen; It provides a chance for creativity.
*Mentioned on his official website, Dahl bases the grandmother character in his own mother.
Dahl also wrote most all of his books in a small hut that was behind his house.
Book Review: This witch isn't offended.
Summary: 4 Stars
I was first introduced to this book via the movie, which I adored as a kid (and still do). I enjoyed the book, though I did feel that the movie was better developed - that may be personal bias, as I have never seen any of Dahl's books as vividly as directors do. Still, Halloween has always been my favorite holiday -and I always dressed as the stereotypical witch with a wart on her nose and green skin- and this book, as well as the movie, has a special spot in my heart.
This book is slammed a lot by quite a few Wiccans who are upset over this book's portrayal of witches and witchcraft, claiming that it is derogatory to "real witches." Dahl never, at any time, eludes to any neopagan religion. He clearly stays within the confines of centuries old stereotypes regarding Halloween witches - which, in my opinion, falls into the same realm as vampires and lycanthropes. These witches turn two boys into mice - clearly not a real life scenario. This book is, beyond a doubt, fiction. People need to stop being so uptight - and this is coming from an eclectic pagan!
Book Review: a great read-aloud for elementary school students
Summary: 5 Stars
Every year I read this book to my fourth grade students and it is always a big hit. I admit that Roald Dahl's themes and sense of humor are edgy, but that's what makes his books so enjoyable to children. While a lot of children's books are written in a syrupy-sweet, sterilized style, Witches has a taboo, cigar-smoking grandma with a missing thumb who tells her grandson that the only way he can stay safe from witches is to never take a bath. It's refreshing. And, as with most of Dahl's books, the main character is a bright, tough, lovable kid who children can enjoy rooting for.
Also, I've noticed that almost every one-star review is by a Pagan who thinks she owns the word "witch" and is offended that the author decided to use the word to describe a creature that is entirely different from herself. Lighten up, ladies. I don't think Roald Dahl was talking about you when he wrote this book.
Book Review: another great Dahl story!
Summary: 5 Stars
This story has three parts: the first - scary and gruesome, the second - funny, full of adventure and predictable, the third - warm, unexpected and full of promise and excitement.
What stays with me is the love between the grandson and the grandmother - they fully accept one another despite their differences and they enthusiastically enjoy life and each other.
The ending is left open for the imagination - not taken to a close like so much these days where nothing is left to ponder upon.
Book Review: weird,creepy, but good
Summary: 5 Stars
Now i am going to try not to give the story away, but if you have seen the movie well... I don't think there is much to tell.( I have not seen the movie). But if your dad tells you the boy is a mouse at the end well...he is right. But anyway it made #1 on my best list of books. Sorry if I ruined the book for you. Ohh and if you are trying to get your mom to get this for you show her this review first. ANYONE I MEAN ANYONE who thinks they are a little odd out you are going to LOVE this book. (I am not saying you are if you like this book.) If you like mice you might like this book. If you like danger you will like this book. And if you like weirdness most likely you will like this book.