LIFE LIST UPDATE No. 435: Read “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl

I scratched another item off my “life list” on Sunday when I took the time to read the classic children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by British writer Roald Dahl.

All of my life I’d heard about this great book, and I can vividly remember hearing other kids talking about it in elementary school. For whatever reason, I’d just never taken the time to read it. Fast forward to about a month ago when I ran across a paperback edition of this book in the “used book room” at the Monroe County Public Library in Monroeville. Fifty cents later I’d bought a copy of the book for one of my kids. As things go, I eventually ended up reading it myself.

For those of you unfamiliar with “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” it was published in 1964 and details the fictional adventures of young Charlie Bucket. Bucket comes from a poor family, but his fortunes take a change for the better when he wins a contest sponsored by famous chocolate factory owner, Willy Wonka. Bucket goes on a tour of Wonka’s factory, and has a life-changing experience.

Many of you will be familiar with “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” thanks to the two, popular motion picture adaptations of the book. Directed by Mel Brooks, the first movie came out in 1971 and starred Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen. Directed by Tim Burton, the second film adaptation was released in 2005 and starred Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly Helena Bonham Carter and Christopher Lee.

My interest in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” really ramped up several years ago when I saw it on several “best of” lists. In 2007, Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden listed “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on a recommended reading list that was included in their classic book, “The Dangerous Book for Boys.” Also in 2007, the National Education Association ranked the book at No. 57 on its “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children” list. Later, in 2009, one of my favorite Web sites, The Art of Manliness,” ranked “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at No. 43 on their list of “50 Best Books for Boys and Young Men.”

I was interested to learn that “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is just one of a number of books written by Road Dahl before his death in 1990. Some of his other well known books include “The BFG” (1982), “Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator” (1972), “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (1970), “George’s Marvellous Medicine” (1981), “James and the Giant Peach” (1961), “Matilda” (1988), “The Twits” (1980) and “The Witches” (1983). If these are half as good as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” then they’re definitely worth checking out.

In the end, I enjoyed finally reading “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and now I can say that I’ve done it. How many of you out there have ever read this book? What did you think about it? Did you like it or not? Let us know in the comments section below.