Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Written by Roald Dahl

Narrated by Douglas Hodge

Penguin presents a brand new recording of Roald Dahl's classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, read by the actor Douglas Hodge, who plays Willy Wonka in the hit musical adaptation of the book.

Charlie Bucket desperately wants to eat more than cabbage soup every day. But even more than that, he longs to see Wonka's enormous chocolate factory!

Now Mr Willy Wonka, the most wondrous inventor in the world, has hidden golden tickets inside his delicious creamy chocolate bars. Only five winners can go through those great iron gates; will one of them be Charlie?

Douglas Hodge is a multi-award-winning English actor, with Olivier and Tony awards for his performance in La Cage aux Folles, and nominations for his leading roles in Cyrano de Bergerac, Guys and Dolls and Inadmissible Evidence. In 2013 he is playing the role of Willy Wonka in Sam Mendes' musical of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Look out for new Roald Dahl apps in the App store and Google Play- including the disgusting TWIT OR MISS! inspired by the revolting Twits.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin UK Audio
• Release date: Sep 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9780141349060

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 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

[kfida_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An awesome book.

[juliaellen_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic book, I love Roald Dahl.

[breton07 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The classic story of an impoverished but generous boy who receives the golden ticket to a candy factory, owned and operated by the charismatic yet mysterious Willy Wonka. I was entranced by the whimsical elements of the story before seeing the film with Gene Wilder. I pictured the factory at work, and the other children on the factory tour. This book was probably my favorite, because it demonstrated both hope and compassion in a simple but compelling way.

[thereadingmermaid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Classic! Everyone should read this book at some point in their lives!

[meditationesmartini · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Totally fun and fanciful, with appropriately differentiated and yet weirdly parallel or counterbalanced characters with their distinct fates etc. (appropriate in kids' books), and yes it's good that the poor boy is kind and the other kids are shitbags, but I have to admit to being surprised on revisit how mean-spirited this was, and on a lesser scale how everyone seemed to think chocolate is food.

[jclheatherm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A go to book for class read-alouds, Willy Wonka and his crew are crowd pleasers, with humor, adventure, and best of all....candy!!

[regularguy5mb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

How can you not love a fantastic story like this?I grew up with the Gene Wilder movie, and it was always one of my favorites, but I had never read this or any other of Mr. Dahl's books. I figured it was about time that changed. Also, with two movie adaptations, one amazing and the other... well, let's just say it exists and leave it at that, but with two movies based on one book, it was beyond time I gave it a read.And I adore it in book form as much as I adore the Gene Wilder movie version. I can see that the filmmakers captured the heart of it well, as other than Wonka's missing goatee, most of the details were the same. There were a few minor parts of... that other one... that were more book accurate, but really the first film does the book more justice.Absolutely fantastic tale! I love everything about it. If you haven't read Dahl, you're missing out.This particular volume comes with the additional first chapter of Dahl's other classic, Matilda, which I have also never read. Of course, now that I've started, it's definitely going to be my next acquisition, to be read as soon as possible.

[pattyhoward · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remains the quintessential Roald Dahl. Perfect for anyone (but maybe best for those between 3rd grade through middle school) it fulfills candy fantasies, is funny, and yet showcases Dahl's dark sense of humor at its best (and darkest!) I can't think of a single kid who wouldn't adore this book!

[sueincyprus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this classic to my four-year-old grandson; Dahl is one of his favourite authors. The story is well-known, due to two different film adaptations (one in 1971, one in 2005). The impoverished Charlie Bucket finds a golden ticket which is his entry to a day in the great Willy Wonka chocolate factory.There's Dahl-ish bizarreness and unpleasantness as the four dislikable children who start with Charlie fall by the wayside. Experts have said that the storyline resembles Dante's Inferno; but perhaps it's just a good storyline, following the fairytale rags-to-riches scenario. I probably read it to my sons when they were similar age, or a little older; it was an absolute delight to read to my grandson, and I would recommend it highly. I think this is my favourite of Dahl's books.

[mausergem_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Charlie Bucket is a very poor boy who lives with his parents and grandparents. He likes chocolate but only gets one bar every year on his birthday to eat. One day, his father shows him an article in the papers which invites five children to visit Willie Wonka's famous chocolate factory. Only those children who have won a golden ticket in their bar of chocolate are allowed to visit. Charlie wins one of the ticket and then begins Charlie's wonderful, magical adventure.A great book must read for all kids.

[kscarlett01 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a book about a young boy named Charlie. Charlie's family is very poor and even though Charlie loves chocolate, he is only allowed to eat very little of it due to their financial situation. Charlie's grandfather finds out about Willy Wonka putting out five golden tickets for children to come and tour the chocolate factory. Charlie wins one of the tickets and him and his grandfather, along with four other children and their caregivers get the chance to explore Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. Mysterious acts happen once the two embark on their tour. This is a great imaginative book for children.

[krizia_lazaro_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was okay, nothing exceptional. "Matilda" is still better than this one. It was a bit weird for me but all that sweets made my mouth water. i LOVE CANDIES! haha And I do love Charlie but Mr. Wonka, ahhhh, he's kinda sketchy. Not much to say about this book.

[christyb2020 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary: This book is about a little boy named Charlie who is poor.He lives with his parents and grandparents in a very small house.Charlie lives down the street from a chocolate factory.This factory has been closed for awhile. Charlies grandpa told him stories of when he worked at this factory and how wonderful it was.The factory closed down because of spies that worked there.Charlie like most kids his age loves chocolate. Well one day Charlie's dad comes in with the news that Mr. Wonka will be opening up his factory to five lucky children who can find Golden Tickets in Wonka chocolate bars.Charlie gets lucky and finds the very last ticket. Finding this ticket would ultimatly change charlie and his families life. Personal reaction:I loved reading this book in grade school. I love that they made this into a movie as well.Classroom extension ideas: 1.The kids could make their own Golden Tickets2.The kids could also write a letter to different candy companies letting them know how much they love their products.

[susanbevans · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, all manner of disasters happen to a group of the most obnoxious children you've ever met. This classic of children's literature is full of magic and the kind wonderfully imaginative storytelling that makes for a great tale. From the scrumdiddlyumptious candy factory, to the magical Oompa Loompas, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an enchanting thrill ride that makes me wish I was a kid again.

[chawki6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In my opinion, this is a great book. One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the descriptive language. This book takes the reader on a magical adventure, where the reader meets new things such as Oompa Loompas. If the writing wasn’t so descriptive I think the reader would have a hard time keeping up with what is going on. The descriptive language also does a great job of introducing the readers to Charlie and his family. Charlie and his family are very poor and they have very little to eat. From the very beginning the reader gets a clear picture of the struggle Charlie’s family is going through, and I know I was rooting for a miracle to happen. “The whole of this family-the six grownups (count them) and little Charlie Bucket- live together in a small wooden house on the edge of a great town.” Another reason why I like this book is because of the main character Charlie. Charlie is the sweetest of the five children who find the golden tickets. Charlie has very little, but he is still respectful and looks out for his family. The other children who come to the factory are nothing like Charlie. For example, Augustus Gloop is a greedy and rude child who wants to do nothing but whine and eat. Veruca Salt is a spoiled brat who always has to have her way. She yells at her parents and anyone else who doesn't give her what she wants. The big idea of this book is to show people that being a nice person really does pay off. Charlie is the nicest of all the children and he ends up winning the contest. Charlie and his family end up winning the entire chocolate factory!

[sirroger · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Classic book. Everyone should read this and share it. Read it aloud to your kids and friends.

[philsyphe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can’t remember much about "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", as I read it when at primary school, but I do recall how popular Roald Dahl was with most if not all of the class, especially this book. For that reason I’m rating this five stars.I read this and had it read to me (the equivalent to an audio book) somewhere from 1983-85, thus I’ve put 1984 in the details below as an average. I will have read/heard a few of Mr Dahl’s books during this period, of which the details of some titles I can’t remember at all, but this one I may have actually read up to three times, plus I saw screen adaptations more than once as a child.We did a school play based on this but can’t recall my minor role.If I had to or wanted to re-read any children’s books for some reason or other then I’d definitely opt for works by this author. All these years on and he’s left a very faint yet rosy memories in the back of my mind.

[benuathanasia · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory seems to be a cautionary tale for adults: why not to have children. It is very obvious that Dahl didn't care much for children (I have heard this many times, most notably from the accounts of the child actors from the movie version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory); this book just reinforces this idea. The story was disjointed and far from pleasurable. I hated it as a child and I hate it now (though I enjoy the Gene Wilder movie version).

[sturlington_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember reading this when I was little, but I have to admit, the reading of it is mixed up in my memory with the fantastic movie starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonky. I recently listened to an abridged version of this with my son; Roald Dahl was the reader. That reminded me of the book's contents and what a fantastic character Willy Wonka is. I think this book helped establish my love of dark humor and of morally ambiguous characters like Wonka; this is by no means a straightforward children's book, with clearly established good and evil roles. However, it does tend to get a bit preachy (but in a funny way) -- I mean, the owner of a candy factory can hardly afford to lecture children on being gluttons -- so that keeps it from being an all-out favorite of mine.

[cameronmatarau · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Step into the creative world of Charlie buckets life. The whiff of chocolate covered air creeping up his nostrils every time he walks past the factory, Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory that is. Charlie has to smell this delight every day as he walks past on his mission to get to school in the freezing cold weather but he only gets to taste it once a year for his birthday. His family saves up for this delight all year as they only just have enough money to keep a roof over their head and his grandparents in a bed. One day Willy Wonka announces a big competition and a fantastic prize every chid dream of. Take a magical trip through a creamy world of Charlie Buckets adventure.

[ajfurman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a pure classic of imagination, storytelling and magic. Charlie, who lives with his four elderly grandparents and his mother in a one-room house, is the kind of child who can only dream about his future. This is because his family has barely enough money to survive. When the Wonka chocolatier announces that five golden tickets to visit the aged factory have been carefully tucked inside chocolate bars the world over, Charlie's dreams have a chance to come true. He stumbles on some money in the street, purchases a chocolate bar and is thrust into the limelight beccoming one of the five lucky visitors. The rest of the book continues to introduce wacky and interesting personalities while taking a tour of the factory. Dahl uses great examples of over embellishing personalities to prove a point. For example Verruca is the spoiled brat who gets whatever she wants, and it ends up being her downfall. The big picture of this book it to show that it doesn't matter where you come from, your past should not define your dreams and aspirations. If you can drem something could happen, there might be a possibility to do so.

[nosajeel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The second read aloud book to my children, they loved it, although in their minds it probably came in slightly below Desperaux.

[laphenix · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

 It was 22 years ago when I first watched that dreadful movie which was based upon this book. For 22 years I've harbored resentment and contempt for the towheaded brat whose transgressions were too easily forgiven as his peers suffered corporeally for their similar infractions. But upon my completion of the book, I have discovered that I was led astray!Charlie never once succumbed to the temptations that got the better of his peers! He triumphed over temptation and agonized much over what tragedy might have befallen the others on their journey. And so today, I must apologize: Charlie Bucket, you were indeed the better man, and are truly worthy of the factory and all the chocolate there within!

[stephanieweiner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is an extremely fun story about a boy who wins a trip to a chocolate factory. I love he plot of this because it takes you through a wild ride of ridiculous inventions. I love when Charlie and his grandfather try the drink that makes they float to the ceiling. Another reason I love this book is for the great characters. I feel Willy Wonka is such an interesting character with a great backstory. He goes into the chocolate business because his father was a dentist and didn’t let him eat chocolate. Lastly I love this book because it’s about a chocolate factory. I think the big idea of this book is to be genuine and true. This is shown through how other children lie and cheat and are therefore disqualified from winning the chocolate factory.

[mattpearson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Some books you like more and more as you get older; this one I like less. It is a book only for little children.

[sigmundfraud · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, a leader author of children's fiction as well as adult fiction. I didn't love this book though the kids I teach do. The reason they like it is the reason I don't. It's fantasy. Though I must say the second half which is all fantasy is fun as the five Golden Pass winners go through the chocolate factory. The chocolate factory is pure joy. It is a wonderful book to read with your children.

[loganbuttram330 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is a great example of contemporary fiction. The book focuses on a young boy named charlie who dreams of getting to tour the chocolate factory. He ends up finding the golden ticket and gets to go see the factory. The pictures and characters in this book are very pleasing to children and they will keep their attention the whole time through. This was a great book and I enjoyed the movie as a young child.

[dgadkins88 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great for kids to read! Charlie Bucket loves chocolate and Mr. Willy Wonka, the most wondrous inventor in the world, is opening the gates of his amazing chocolate factory to five lucky children. It’s the prize for a lifetime! Gobstoppers, wriggle sweets and a river of melted chocolate delight await. Charlie needs just one Golden Ticket and these delicious treats could all be his.

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

Back when Tim Burton was still a pretty decent director, I was overwhelmed by his wonderful 2005 film adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Watching the film was like entering some alternative universe where magic - and food - are the key point. I was intrigued by the amazing scenarios created and so of course, (shamely) a few years after the film, I decided to pick up this short book by Roald Dahl, whose writing I really enjoyed in Matilda.

And I was not dissapointed! Dahl's writing sucks you into a tasty world, full of sweets and chocolate and quirky characters and nice people and not-so-nice people - and does it so well you can't seem to put the book down. I seriously read the whole book in 30 minutes, only because it was such a big pleasure to be reading it.

I used to be obsessed about finding a Wonka Golden Ticket when I was a child. I think I still do, even more now. Couldn't care less about whether it is childish or not. Charlie, our main character comes from a very unfortunate family who doesn't have much to eat or clothes to cover themselves with but above all, they have a strong family bond. So, when Charlie finds a Golden Ticket and gets to, along with other 4 kids, visit Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, where no one ever went in or out, life changed.

And we're told the magic tale of how the factory is run by all these super awesome creatures and how the factory insides are fenomenal.
Super great read. Picking up the sequel right away!

[theboylatham_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Seven out of ten.

A young boy wins the chance to visit the local chocolate factory but gets more than he bargained for.