Book info

• Title James and the Giant Peach
• Author Roald Dahl
• Year 1961
• Genres Childrens, Fantasy

When James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree, strange things start to happen. The peach at the top of the tree begins to grow, and before long it's as big as a house. When James discovers a secret entranceway into the fruit and crawls inside, he meets wonderful new friends--the Old-Green-Grasshopper, the dainty Ladybug, and the Centipede of the multiple boots. After years of feeling like an outsider in his aunts' house, James finally found a place where he belongs. With a snip of the stem, the peach household starts rolling away--and the adventure begins!

Thoughts

When I was checking my book review list for Roald Dahl works, I realised I’m a bit short on the complete package. I’ve read a lot of them, obviously, but not documented it. So I checked what was in my digital library and stumbled across this one. James was never one of my favourite stories, I think perhaps the giant insects weren’t a great incentive to read it over and over again.

So whilst I knew the beginning quite well, once they were airborne, I didn’t actually remember what was going to happen next. The Cloud Men were a surprise, and I had forgotten they end up impaled on the Empire State Building.

But it’s actually a fun read, quite quick, and has good messages about teamwork, about leadership, and about not judging insects because of what they look like… just as I had done!

Rating: 3 / 5