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One of a series of top-quality fiction for schools. One small boy and his grandmother try to prevent the terrible witches from turning all the children into mice.
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By Mark Diem
The book was a gift to my son for Christmas. Impeccable and fast service. Thanks
By Galactic-Disc
Myself I'm atheist and don't believe in anything supernatural. I'm a very free thinker and have a keen sense of humor. Nonetheless I find Dahl's book to be offensive on multiple levels. Firstly, this book disparages women. The book states "Only women can be witches" and all witches are actively engaged in harming/killing children. Secondly, as stated by others here, there are many people who [think they] practice magic, some even to the degree of a religion, lifestyle or profession. I don't believe that there is magic, but it is a person's right to believe in magic and express that if they choose. It is spiteful to vilify them. Thirdly, some impressionable children will actually believe this crap or get nightmares, or it might get wedged into the subconscious as a lifelong fear. Dahl is instilling irrational superstitious fears into some of his readers/listeners. Fourthly, there are many wonderful stories of fiction in which witches can be a force for good. Do not let Dahl pollute your child's imaginations against such other stories.
Perhaps Dahl would say "Take it easy. It's all supposed to be fun." Yeah, minstrels in blackface said that, too.
What motivated Dahl to write this book? Is he a misogynist? Does he hate his mother? Is he jealous of women? Compensating for something?
By Angie (United States)
I was first introduced to this book via the movie, which I adored as a kid (and still do). I enjoyed the book, though I did feel that the movie was better developed - that may be personal bias, as I have never seen any of Dahl's books as vividly as directors do. Still, Halloween has always been my favorite holiday -and I always dressed as the stereotypical witch with a wart on her nose and green skin- and this book, as well as the movie, has a special spot in my heart.
This book is slammed a lot by quite a few Wiccans who are upset over this book's portrayal of witches and witchcraft, claiming that it is derogatory to "real witches." Dahl never, at any time, eludes to any neopagan religion. He clearly stays within the confines of centuries old stereotypes regarding Halloween witches - which, in my opinion, falls into the same realm as vampires and lycanthropes. These witches turn two boys into mice - clearly not a real life scenario. This book is, beyond a doubt, fiction. People need to stop being so uptight - and this is coming from an eclectic pagan!
By Lindsey Creasman
"A real witch is wasily the most dangerous of all living creatures. "But, if real witches disguise themselves rather than flying around on broomsticks in pointed hats, how can you tell when you meet one?
Roald Dahl's book The Witches was a wild tale about a boy and his grandma and witches that send them on an adventure. The story starts with the boy living with his parents in England. During Christmas, he travels to Norway to live with his grandma. One day the boy and his parents get into a car crash and his parents do not survive. Based on their wishes, the boy goes to live with his grandma. It's here where the boy encounters his first witch. These witches were not "normal" as we know them; they wore wigs, have no toes, and their eyes are different than a normal woman. These witches also hate children. When the boy and his grandma decide to take a trip, they encounter these witches at a convention in the same hotel they are staying. The boy hides out in one of their meetings and soon learns that they are all here turn the children of England into mice. The boy hears the plan and the recipe of the poison. Before he could sneak out, the witches catch him and they try out their poison on him. The boy sure enough turns into a mouse. The boy and his grandma have an adventure ahead of them to try and stop these witches from turning all the children into mice.
Dahl sets the stage very well in this book because he puts the reader right in the middle of the action. This book is set in 20th century England so Dahl uses dialogue between the boy and his grandma that pertains to this era. He is very descriptive with his language and paints a vived picture in the minds of his readers.
This books falls into the fantasy genre because it contains magic from the poison and the witches that create it. This story could never happen but it is a good book for children to use their imagination and expand their creativity. This book might be a bit scary for some younger children, but for the most part it is a fun book that can further children's thinking.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book because Dahl gives us a fun story about very interesting characters. Dahl provides an opportunity for children to learn a little about the past through a young boy's adventure because Dahl brings his readers into the action. Even though this story is fictional, it provides a different aspect for children to read. Personally, i love to read about witches and other fictional characters because it provides insight and learning in another aspect than our own. This makes children able to predict and think critically about what might happen and what actually does happen; It provides a chance for creativity.
*Mentioned on his official website, Dahl bases the grandmother character in his own mother.
Dahl also wrote most all of his books in a small hut that was behind his house.
By A. Tower
This FICTION book is a fun and fanciful read for children. For all of you real 'witches' who are complaining- get a grip- this is not an expository text explaining the history of your religion- or defaming it- it is a fictional childrens book.
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