Enid Blyton defined most of my childhood reading. However, Roald Dahl was definitely my second favorite author. From the Fantastic Mr. Fox, to James and the Giant Peach. From The BFG to George's Marvelous Medicine. And of course, the autobiographies: Boy, and Going Solo. So, my top three Roald Dahls... (this is actually easier than My Top Five Enid Blytons):
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Which child would not like a book about a marvelous chocolate factory, owned by Willie Wonka, which had oompa-loompas as workers, a chocolate lake, an "invention" room, and the "television" room. The ideas were so surreal that they were fantastic, and I yearned to be Charlie.
Or, if not be Charlie, just try one of these scrumptious sounding chocolates, which, I believe would surpass most other chocolates.
A few years back, when the Johnny Depp starring movie was released, Wonka bars actually existed, and honestly - they were divine. The best chocolates I've ever eaten.
2. Matilda
This was such a wonderful story, filled with wicked characters and innocent people who were victimized by the evilness.
Miss Trunchbull was more fascinating than the evil step mother from Snow White, and Matilda's parents seemed to be worse than Cinderella's step sisters. They were the typical anti-heros in children's books: disregarded reading and education, were drunks, and dealt in all kinds of illicit activities.
And then you had Matilda and Miss Jenny, who were so innocent and "good" (for lack of better words), that you had to idolize them. I also spent hours trying to use telekinesis to get a pencil to move, but I wasn't intelligent enough. My parents never told me that it's impossible!
1. The Witches
This might be a favorite, as it's the one Roald Dahl I never possessed (until three years ago, that is). I used to go to the library with my mum, and attempted seeking out this book as many times as possible, so much so that the librarian suggested I buy the book.
From the opening chapter, this book grabbed me, and actually made me wonder: do witches exist? I was a naive kid. The book, if I remember correctly, started:
In fairy tales, witches always wear black hats and black cloaks, and they ride on broomsticks.
But this is NOT a fairy tale. This is about REAL witches.
Come on, that's as believable as it gets!!! I lapped up every word of it, and whenever I used to see a lady scratch her head, I'd point and say "there's a witch". My mum wasn't amused.
So, how about you? Do you have a favorite Roald Dahl? Or three?
This is the first Enid Blyton book I read, and I was absolutely captivated. A land of toys? People can buy bricks, and build their own house? A doll can befriend a brownie? And have a teddy bear as a neighbor?
This is the first book I read in the "Secret" series, and while all five of them were vivid, imaginative, and could easily be read independently, this is my favorite (only marginally).
This one, I've actually struggled with. I loved all the school series: Malory Towers, St. Clares, and of course, The Naughtiest Girl. And I've sat her, drumming the table with my fingers, contemplating which was my favorite, and this one edges it, mostly because, while I really wanted to be like Darrell from Malory Towers, I was always more like Elizabeth from Whyteleafe: I always tried to be really good, and always did something or the other, which resulted in the aftermath not being great!
I know, you aren't allowed to have a favorite Famous Five book. I mean, you can't choose between Five On Treasure Island, or Five On Kirrin Island again, right? Well, this one's always been mine. I think I know it by heart. Read it so many times, that the book's in pieces now - probably one of the three books I possess which is in such a terrible condition. And I can still pick it up and read it, and lose myself in the adventures of the Famous Five.
How cool would it be, to move from the city to the countryside, next to The Enchanted Wood, right in the heart of which stands, The Magic Faraway Tree - a tree where magical creatures live, and where, a new land is atop the tree every few days: be it The Land Of Do-As-You-Please, or the Land Of Goodies. There's the Land of Spells and the Land of Presents as well.
You didn't honestly think I'd be able to end this at just five, did you?! Well, sorry!! I promise though, this is the last one, and it's the only one that actually led me to have a hobby outside reading - collecting ships in bottles. I have twelve now, and they're my pride and joy!