Roald Dahl was a GIANT in every sense of the word. He may have stood at an impressive 6ft 6in (1.98m) tall, and a spy and a fighter pilot in World War II, it was his storytelling that enchanted generations and made him a true giant. With in excess of 250 million books sold worldwide (and still selling), his scrumdiddlyumptious tales continue to delight readers of all ages, even decades after his passing in 1990. And who could forget the whizzpopping classic, The BFG – the Big Friendly Giant.
The BFG was first published in 1982 as a full-length children’s novel but it began its life as a bedtime story within Dahl’s 1975 book Danny, Champion of the World. And what a bedtime story it turned out to be!
Sophie, an eight-year-old orphan, lives in a children’s home run by the fearsome filthy old fizzwiggler Mrs Clonkers. One sleepless night, she dares to peek out of her window during the “witching hour” – a time when no human should be awake, especially children. What she sees changes her life forever: a 24-foot giant with enormous ears, a wrinkled face and a dark cloak, carrying a suitcase and a trumpet-like instrument stalking through the streets peering into windows.
Before she can hide, the giant spots her, reaches through the window, grabs her and whisks her away to a strange, far-off place, a place known as Giant Country.
After being snatched, at first Sophie fears she’s about to become his breakfast. But her captor, the Big Friendly Giant, reassures her: unlike the other nine giants who roam the land, he doesn’t eat “human beans.” Instead, he survives on the revolting snozzcumber and spends his nights catching dreams and blowing them into the bedrooms of sleeping children.
The other giants, however, are a terrifying bunch – more than twice the BFG’s size and with unfriendly names like:
- The Bloodbottler
- The Bonecruncher
- The Butcher Boy
- The Childchewer
- The Fleshlumpeater
- The Gizzardgulper
- The Maidmasher
- The Manhugger
- The Meatdripper
These brutes travel the world each night, gobbling up children. When Sophie learns of their monstrous feasts, she and the BFG hatch a daring plan to enlist the help of the Queen of England to stop them once and for all – no more consumption of human beans.
Overall, all I can says is “bash my eyebones” – well The BFG said it first, The BFG is an excellent GIANT of a story that young readers will find delumptious. With Dahl’s expressive and inventive use of language, children will love the tale of Sophie, The BFG and the nine man-eating giants.
The BFG is a gloriumptious mix of danger, humour and heart. Dahl’s inventive Gobblefunk language, his knack for creating unforgettable characters and his trademark dark humour make this a story that’s as fresh today as it was in 1982.
Sophie is a brilliant heroine: brave, quick-witted and full of spark, while the BFG is gentle, funny and wonderfully odd. Together, they prove that even the smallest person (or the smallest giant) can make a big difference.
Yes, it’s a tale that touches on kidnapping, bullying and man-eating monsters, but it’s also about friendship, courage and doing what’s right – all told with Dahl’s mischievous charm.
If I were to speak in Gobblefunk, I’d say: I is thunking this is a story for the ages – one that even Dahl’s Chickens (ahem… Charles Dickens) would enjoy.
So, are you ready to find out if I’m right or left? You’ll just have to read it yourself and decide.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £9.99 (Hardback) / £6.99 (Paperback) / £3.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit www.roalddahl.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
