Charlie and The Chocolate Factory : Chocolatier's Review

In my recent book-thrifting sesh, I stumbled upon a copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As a chocolatier and chocolate shop owner, I’m embarrassed to admit that I had never read it before. It turned out to be the perfect book to read on a cool, breezy Sunday afternoon slowdown. At just 180 pages, it’s a light and delightful read. Gene Wilder’s song (from the movie adaptation) “Pure Imagination” has inspired me over the years and has long been my theme song as a chocolatier, so diving into this story felt especially fitting.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is like stepping into a sweet, imaginative daydream. The book is whimsical and magical, and I was completely swept away imagining the world Willy Wonka created. The story follows Charlie and other kids as they explore Wonka’s extraordinary chocolate factory, encountering fantastical rooms, eccentric inventions, and unforgettable characters along the way. My favorite stop was the Chocolate Room, where a chocolate river flows beside a valley and everything, even the grass, is made of chocolate. That scene perfectly captures the book’s charm, that of pure imagination!

My thoughts…

Dahl’s tone is playful and mischievous, and Willy Wonka himself is eccentric, enigmatic, and utterly captivating. Beneath the whimsy, the story carries timeless lessons about kindness, self-control, greed, and good character. Lessons that remain as relevant today as they were over 60 years ago when the book was first published. Although originally written for children, I enjoyed it just as much as an adult, finishing it in one sitting with a smile on my face. Some parts even had me laughing out loud. Adding to the whimsy are Roald Dahl’s made-up names like oompa loompa and scrumdiddlyumptious.

If there’s one thing I wish the book had included, it’s a whimsical take on the bean-to-bar chocolate process. There were brief mentions of the cacao tree and cacao fruits. It would have added an extra layer of educational element. But don’t worry, I actually published a chocolate-themed book series titled “The Midnight Chocolate Train”, now available on Amazon and Kindle.

Would I recommend this book?

I would definitely recommend this classic story, especially to adults who haven’t yet experienced it. This was my first time reading a Roald Dahl title, and it was such a pleasant and easy read. It made me smile and feel like a kid again inside a chocolate shop!

Book Rating

As a chocolatier, I rate “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” 5 out of 5 chocolate bars! This is a wonderful classic story, a must-read for kids and adults alike. There are timeless lessons to be learned and a whimsical world of pure imagination to envision! It’s a fun short read that will brighten your day, even just for a short while! I had a smile on my face almost throughout.