Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Narrator Douglas Hodge infuses this over-the-top sequel to CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY with a spectacular amount of energy and hilarious voices. Charlie's grandparents, with the exception of Grandpa Joe, haven't got out of bed in years, so they end up in the great glass elevator in outer space in their nightshirts being chased by Vermicious Knids (weird slimy critters). Their crankiness is rendered as gruffness and a tone of distrust. Meanwhile, the president of the United States, Lancelot R. Gilligrass, is wondering what is happening to his astronauts. Gilligrass is a twit, and Hodge maximizes the silly humor with growls and simpers. In addition, Willy Wonka's eternal optimism positively snaps with oomph. Listeners will feel as if they've had a dose of the anti-aging Wonka-Vite at the end of the whole crazy listening experience. A.B. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

Dahl's wit and freewheeling sense of fun and nonsense survive intact in this sequel to the perennially favorite CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Eric Idle, of Monty Python fame, plunges headlong into this story of space travel, aliens, and magic, courtesy of Wonka and his factory. Dahl's trenchant humor takes flight with Idle's hilarious versions of crabby old folks, a fatheaded President, idealistic children, and the wizardly Wonka. You'll recognize shades of Python in this circus for the ears--an audiobook deserving of a place next to such classics as THE WIZARD OF OZ, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, and ALICE IN WONDERLAND. It takes a gifted actor and comedian to push such great youth fiction beyond its already grand scale. If you've somehow missed Dahl or Idle, treat yourself and the kids to this funhouse of wisdom, humor, and absurdity. D.J.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

November 1, 2013

Gr 3-6-Charlie's adventures continue in Dahl's tongue-in-cheek, rambunctious sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Listeners will climb aboard a glass elevator with Charlie, his family, and Mr. Wonka and travel into outer space where they visit a space hotel, escape the Vermicious Knids, and save the world. It is hard to stop laughing at Dahl's clever puns and hilarious situations delivered by award-winning actor Douglas Hodge whose talent is reminscent of Jim Dale's extraordinary narration of the "Harry Potter" series. While his rapid pace takes getting used to, his timing and incredible range of voices bring this favorite childhood classic to life.-Terri Norstrom, Cary Area Library, IL

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

After the victory in the Wonka chocolate competition, Charlie's adventures continue as the glass elevator transports him and his family into battles with space and subterranean creatures. Dahl, too, reaches new heights of zaniness, becoming almost "Pythonesque" as he spins his tale. With unbridled pleasure, the narrator meets the thrills and spills of keeping pace with a wildly gyrating plot and of giving voice to characters who represent every imaginable social, national, age and gender category. He makes each character jump out at his audience, breathing into each an authenticity which is palpable, even down to the sibilations caused by missing teeth! He is a delightful and enthusiastic accomplice to Dahl's literary alchemy. B.M.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine