The Witches

Written by Roald Dahl

Narrated by Miranda Richardson

Penguin presents a brand new recording of Roald Dahl's classic The Witches, read by Miranda Richardson.

The Witches have a motto: One child a week is fifty-two a year. Squish them and squiggle them and
make them disappear.

The Grand High Witch of All the World is the scariest of the lot, but one boy and the grandmother he adores have a plan to get rid of the witches for good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin UK Audio
• Release date: Sep 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9780141349244

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) es un autor justamente famoso por su extraordinario ingenio, su destreza narrativa, su dominio del humor negro y su inagotable capacidad de sorpresa, que llevó a Hitchcock a adaptar para la televisión muchos de sus relatos. En Anagrama se han publicado la novela "Mi tío Oswald" y los libros de cuentos "El gran cambiazo" (Gran Premio del Humor Negro), "Historias extraordinarias", "Relatos de lo inesperado" y "Dos fábulas". En otra faceta, Roald Dahl goza de una extraordinaria popularidad como autor de libros para niños.

Reviews for The Witches

[neverlistless · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I saw others here on LT discussing this book recently and just had to read it. I remember the movie as a young child and how much fun it was; this book didn't disappoint. Dahl did a wonderful job of telling the absurd story of a young boy who learns about REAL WITCHES. REAL WITCHES hate children and concoct ways to rid the world of as many children as possible. One day, the boy and his grandmother go to an English hotel for vacation. It just so happens that the annual meeting for all REAL WITCHES in England is at that very hotel.This was good fun and easy to read. It was very descriptive and the adventure unfolded brightly and clearly. Very nice escape for today.

[lamotamant · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I saw the Witches mentioned in a challenge in a GoodReads group about books that had been made into movies. Though there was a vague sense of familiarity with the movie, an I'm-sure-I-saw-that vibe, I couldn't remember reading the book as a kid. I figured it would be a rather short read so I picked it up (thank you, Kindle) the other night.

I don't think it was a favorite Dahl when I was a kid but I do remember some scenes from book and screen fondly enough. It was fun revisiting, anyway.

[jjmcgaffey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Cute, and very Dahl. It's an odd story, even for Dahl - and it ends with the beginning of a bigger story. The language is amusing - the long lists of synonyms for action, in particular. The boy (who never gets a name, as far as I can see) is mildly amusing and rather ordinary, though he does handle his transformation with great aplomb; his grandmother (who also never gets a name) is a much more extraordinary person. Though I don't see why she doesn't want to pass her information on to other "witchophiles" (wrong word, by the way - it means lover of witches, not studier of witches. Witchologist, perhaps, would have been better). It would be a way to deal with witches everywhere much faster than just the two of them going around. But all that is after this story ends, so maybe they will inform others, later.

[carmenmilligan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was entertaining. A good young adult book.

[ashlou6225 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Probably my favorite Childrens book

[armycop123 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of my favorite Books ever.-Armycop123

[grapeapril75-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic book for kids! So imaginative and creative. Easy read that children will find delightful!

Roald Dahl is always brilliant! His stories and rhymes are fun and entertaining! Some of my all time favorites!! Such a great way to entertain children and get them interested in reading!

[nosajeel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Possibly my least favorite Roald Dahl, it is still worth reading. The formula is the same as most Dahl--a smart child aided by a benevolent adult outwitting and triumphing over villains with a greedy overweight supporting character and his indifferent parents. The best aspect of the book is the invention of "real witches"--always wearing wigs to cover their bald heads, always wearing gloves to cover their claws, always wearing shoes to cover their toeless feet, and with extraordinary noses that process the smell of children as "dogs droppings." But the actual witches themselves have considerably less personality than the bloodthirsty giants in the BFG and the vocabulary is less rich as well. Moreover, the novel feels more cruel than some of his others and also less rich in broader themes and characters. That said, we still all enjoyed it, especially the children.

[rosenstern · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dahl was one of my favorite authors as a child. The witches is about a young boy and his grandmother who have to defeat a whole coven of witches, including the Grand High Witch. It's a enjoyable tale and I still remember how to spot a witch- pointy shoes, wiggy hair, sparkling eyes and they spot children by their clean showered smell. Worth it.

[yona-414000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very fun adventure story. Maybe just under 4 stars but I liked it a lot and I'm very much looking forward to reading more Roald Dahl. Great story telling style.

[nicdar111 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pretty interesting ideas.

[amberthehuman · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another children's book I did not read as a child. There were definitely some fun parts to this ... but the choices the characters make are ... concerning. Like, really, that's your plan? And then end of the book, well, it's not as depressing as it could be, but it still kind of gets you down, at least at first. Not my favorite Dahl, but a fun one (for, perhaps, older children).

[rata_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant, humourous great read for younger readers as well as older readers. I liked the way that Dahl has used fun language and expression to make the story come alive when reading it. The story is of a small boy (orphaned) who goes to live with his Norwegian grandmother in Norway. His cigar-smoking grandmother tells him about witches and how they spend their time plotting to get rid of children. She also tells him about witches and how to spot them although they all look like nice ladies, they are difficult but not impossible to spot. They all wear wigs to cover their bald heads, therefore have very itchy scalps, have square feet and wear gloves to hide their claw fingers. At the reading of the will it states that his parents wish for the boy (Dahl in his early years ????)to be brought up in England so the two emigrate. Upon arriving in England the grandmother decides that they both need a holiday before starting school. When the boy and his grandmother are at a Bournemouth hotel, other guests who are there for a conference, the lady-delegates to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children start scratching away. The boy is caught up behind a screen(due to being there when he shouldn't be) in the very room where these ladies are holding their conference. Then the pretty head lady takes off her mask: the Grand High Witch incarnate! To demonstrate her Formula 86 Delayed Action Mouse-Maker, she's already fed some to greedy, obnoxious little Bruno Jenkins - who turns into a mouse on schedule. The Grand High Witch has concocted this potion to be put into sweets which will then be fed to all the children who will ultimately become mice, which will then be exterminated. Will Dahl be detected, hiding behind the screen? He hasn't washed in days, but some of that tell-tale child-scent, anathema to witches, escapes and they pounce on him. Forcefed the potion, he joins Bruno scampering about the floor - but they still have their own voices. Making back to his grandmother they plot a plan. He steals a bottle of the potion; pours it into the witch-delegates' soup tureen; and has the exquisite pleasure of seeing them turned into mice, to be wiped out on the spot by scared guests and angry chefs parrying pots, pans and knives. With this task complete and Dahl not being able to attend school as a mouse he and his grandmother return to Norway. Here he wonders if she'll live out his short mouse-life span, and she's plotting to get rid of the world's remaining witches.

[brandyhei · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it as a child, love it as an adult. Well done, Mr. Dahl.

[madams21 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book because of the plot. It was an adventurous tale where a witch turns the main character into a mouse; he avenges himself by turning all the witches into mice. I like to see the good guy win in the end. I also liked how the book had little illustrations drawn onto the pages as if someone was just doodling in the book, but the illustrations made you want to read the text to find out more. The theme of the book was about family taking care of each other and working together.

[tealightful · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I picked up a small bundle of childhood books to send off to a six year old -- but not before re-reading all of them ;)

Roald Dahl was one of my favorite authors as a child, I soaked in every book I could get my tiny, grubby sticky fingers on. I savored every hilarious, perfect word in his books and The Witches was no exception. His brilliance is obvious, he speaks to children as you should - not as if they are idiots but as the blooming minds that they are.

Who else could concoct a recipe that includes boiling the end of a telescope and roasting a preset alarm clock; to ensure your delayed-response potion goes off on time?

[diovival · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember falling in love with this book and then watching the movie over and over and over and over and.....

[portm-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I probably would have loved this book as a child, but the story-telling style didn't work well with my adult sensibilities. Still, the tell-tale characteristics of witches were fun, and the witches' convention was a hoot. I read the Grand Witch's dialogue aloud to myself and couldn't help laughing as I did it.

[mikalina_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

We are all moused when life hits us with its evil witchy side. The important thing is to be brave about it, and no one is better to help a young soul to get a grasp on the situation than a tough old granny. Everyone knows that on one level or other - but no one can tell us this the way Roald Dahl does. Quentin Blake gets the essence of every situation with a few strokes of his pencil.I reread the book for my grandson this Christmas for the first time since my own youngest was about his age (7), and I am as surprised and enjoyed as the first time, of the genius of R. D.

[jljaina · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Why did I wait until I was an adult to read this book? Oh, that's right, because I saw the movie when I was too young still and it scared me so badly that when I heard about the book it was based off of i avoided it like the plague. Now I wish I hadn't avoided it for so long. While I enjoyed it as an adult, I am sure I would have appreciated much more maybe in, say, Middle school.

I know a lot of people consider this a children's book and it is, but I feel the content can be a bit much for some kids. The idea of this being read to a group of 1st-2nd graders is scary in itself. While some kids may be fine, others will be freaked out. Dahl's writing is just that good for this.

The images are light and actually help tone it down in my opinion but my husband said it was the opposite back when he read it.

This book is about a young boy is must face of which some witches who want to rid the world of nasty, pesty children. With some help from his grandmamma (who is a hoot and I love), he must stop them. But what can a little boy do against powerful witches? Read and find out!

I loved how Dahl describes witches. there were a few parts that even made me laugh and well as give me inner child a couple shivers. The story is very engaging and I enjoyed it.

This is recommended reading but for kids, I am not sure a forced classroom read is the way to go as the subject can still be sensitive. Reading individually with your child if they are younger or encourage discussion about the book if they are older and are not reacting positively. Middle school aged kids should be fine I think.

[Melinda Thorne · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

hey l read some of it and I thought it was horific that means HORRIBLE

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My first comment on beginning to read this was: oh, wow, he is really teaching kids not to trust women at all, here, isn't he...? Although I suppose it would help with not talking to strangers -- female strangers, anyway. At least Grandmamma is lovely.

I really love what Roald Dahl does with rhymes. I have no idea how he came up with rhymes that bounce along the way his do. There's a couple of fantastic ones in The Witches.

Having just finished reading it, I am feeling a liiiittle creeped out, somehow. I'm twenty-one -- that means I'm safe, right?

[jverke_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you enjoy Dahl's writing style you will love The Witches. A tall tale about a young orphaned boy and his grandmother as they battle the Grand High Witch in England.

[dlow_54 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Roald Dahl is a popular author, his other books include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach” This book motivates reading because the author tells us that this is a true story. It is clear that there is not such thing as witches, but the back cover clearly states: “This is not a fairy tale. This is about real witches.” This story promotes awareness and understanding of what is going on around you. Many people just let life happen, but the story “The Witches” reminds us that we need to be aware of our surroundings. Dahl pokes fun at cultural ideas and silly fears, in all his stories, but in this one he reminds the main character to look around and he will find real witches. Now the author isn’t saying that all women are witches, but rather all witches are women and he defends this early in the story. He also claims that witches are real, which they are obviously not, because the events that transpire are completely absurd and impossible. This book also tells us to listen to our elders, respect family, and not talk to strangers. Now this isn’t a direct message, but one I feel is conveyed through the story. My favorite part is the ending, the ending is not happy; there is a darkness in all of Dahl’s stories with parents dying and children living in difficult situations. Dahl writes from the imagination of a child, he brings a child’s imagination to life. At the end the boy does not turn back into a human, but rather stays as a mouse. This is part of Dahl’s style and in a movie version this did not happen to the boy, the boy changed back from a mouse and then lived happily ever after, implying that everything always works out in the end, and a theme that Dahl has never implied in his stories. I think children would listen more closely to what their parents and grandparents say. I think children will be more careful about strangers. I also think children will laugh and understand that being imaginative is positive. I think many great stories written by children could come out of reading this book. Parents fear that this book is disrespectful to women. The author clearly states that witches are women, but that not all women are witches. I think this is a comedy, yes the author tells us that witches are real, but we tell our children Santa is real. The book is just a story. It is not any different from a holiday story about Santa clause delivering presents down the chimney I think this story might anger parents because of the fairytale element of witches. We all know witches are not real, but children are easily persuaded. This may be true, but children are also smart, they can understand that this is a story that the author is trying to make us laugh. They do not need to fear turning into a mouse, because witches are not real. This book also teaches lessons about hiding in places you should be. The young boy was hiding in the hotel because he wasn’t supposed to have mice. Well he did have his mice, and while his grandmamma support him in keeping them, he wasn’t supposed to have them out. This little boy was deifying grown-ups directions. This is what we want our children not to do. This supports what parents and teachers tell children, we want them to follow directions and be safe, what we say is the rule, if you don’t something might happen. In this case, the boy turned into a mouse, and he never turned back into a boy again. I think this moral will impact children and they will understand that this is why we follow directions.

[smiler69 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A boy living by his grandmother is instructed by the old Norwegian lady how to recognize witches, which she claims really are among us and pass themselves off as ordinary women in all walks of life. They pose a real threat too, as witches are reputed to detest children and to use their magical powers to do away with them. So we know of course that when he gets caught in a convention of witches passing themselves off as a children's charity, that the boy and his grandmother will employ all their resources and skills to prevent the evil ladies from doing away with all the children of England, but this being Roald Dahl, things are bound to get quite weird and slightly scary. A wonderfully fun tale which was made even better with Lynn Redgrave's rendition, during which she seemed to be telling the story to children she was very fond of indeed.

[elizabeth2001 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Witches is a very amazing book. And in the book there is a bunch of witches. The witches are very ugly, but they disquise as odinary woman, no one can tell that they are witches because they wear masks. But some of the was you can tell it is a witch is They have no toes there feet are square. And they spit bule, They alwase wear gloves because they have nails like a cat. And there is many more ways that you can tell it is a witch. I would tell you but i dont want to give away the entire book!!!!! So if you want to find out what will happen next, you have to read the book.

[alyssjo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fact: witches are REAL, and they do not ride around on broomsticks with pointy black hats. Witches are disguised as normal women and they hate children. In a very matter-of-fact manner Dahl takes the reader on a fast-paced adventure through the eyes of a boy who has insider knowledge that there are such things as “REAL WITCHES”. The use of colorful language and witty remarks pulls the reader in, capturing the attention of both children and adults. Dahl does not shy away from sensitive issues, mentioning loss of loved ones, child abduction, and the imminent death of the protagonist and his grandmother. However eerie they may seem at first, these subjects always end on a happy or humorous note. Illustrations in the book are inky comic-like sketches that are dispersed throughout the book. The illustrations range in size, sometimes taking up such little space that text is wrapped around them, and other times taking up the whole page. The variation in illustration adds to the adventurous vibe of the book. Find out how to spot a “REAL WITCH”, see what they look like through the accompanying illustrations, and see the plan they are cooking up to rid the world of children! Readers will not tire of this story!

[kellycardosa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

i love the magic and terror in this book

[6h9library · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Witches is a thrilling and heart warming book written by the talented author, Roald Dahl. The Witches is about a young boy who tragically lost his parents in a car crash leaving him to live with his kind grandmother who lives in Norway. His grandmother tells him stories about witches and how to notice them. I recommend this book to all people aged above 9.

[sturlington_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is my first reading of The Witches, and as with others of Dahl’s books, I found it darkly humorous. Dahl doesn’t pull any punches. His witches are real, grotesque and out to do away with all the children of the world. The main character, a little orphaned boy, isn’t just threatened with being turned into a mouse — he is turned into a mouse! The only time I got creeped out was when the mouse-boy was contemplating his now-shortened lifespan and decided he wanted to die at the same time as his grandmother, who was taking care of him. My only complaint about The Witches was that it either went on for too long or not long enough. The end is a rather long detailing of the mouse-boy’s and his grandmother’s plans to do away with the remaining witches, but we never see those plans carried out. I presume they were successful since no children I know have been disappeared by witches. Overall, though, this is a dark but fun read for children.