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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Pages
160
Published
1964
Language
English

Synopsis

Charlie Bucket is a poor, kind-hearted boy who lives in a tiny house with his parents and four bedridden grandparents, gazing longingly at the enormous chocolate factory that dominates his town. The factory belongs to the eccentric, secretive genius Willy Wonka, who has not been seen in years — until he announces that five Golden Tickets have been hidden in Wonka Bars, and their finders will be given a tour of the factory and a lifetime supply of sweets.

Against all odds, Charlie finds the last ticket. Alongside four spectacularly ill-behaved children, he steps into a wonderland of chocolate rivers, everlasting gobstoppers, and the mysterious Oompa-Loompas. One by one, the other children's greed and bad habits get the better of them, and it becomes clear that Wonka's tour is also a test.

Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a beloved modern classic — gleefully inventive, a little wicked, and warmly moral — that has enchanted children and adults for generations.

About the author

R
Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. Born in north Cardiff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent. He rose to prominence in the 1940s with works for both children and adults, and became one of the world's bestselling authors. His short stories are known for their unexpected endings, and his children's books for their unsentimental, often very dark h...

Characters

Charlie BucketProtagonist

A poor, kind-hearted boy who wins a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka's factory.

Willy WonkaSupporting

The eccentric, secretive genius who owns the chocolate factory.

Grandpa JoeSupporting

Charlie's grandfather, who accompanies him on the tour.

All characters in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Frequently asked questions

  • Are there any film adaptations of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

    There are multiple well-known film adaptations of this story. The 1971 film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder is a classic, and a 2005 version directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp also exists.

  • Is there a sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

    Roald Dahl wrote a direct sequel titled "Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator." It continues Charlie's adventures immediately after the events of the first book.

  • What inspired Roald Dahl to write Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

    Roald Dahl's inspiration for the story came from his own childhood experiences. While attending Repton School, he and other students were taste testers for a local chocolate company, which would send new chocolate bars for them to evaluate.

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