September 2023 Recommended Reading and Viewing

[Coír Draoi Ceítien]

It's been a strange summer, with as much rain as heat, but fall is around the corner now, and pumpkin spice has started appearing. For no particular thematic reason, I've chosen a children's classic and its subsequent film adaptation as September's recommendations. Whether you've experienced them before or are just discovering them, I hope they're worthwhile for you.


Reading: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) by Roald Dahl

This is probably Dahl's most famous book, as well as the most adapted to different mediums. Incredibly poor yet resolutely good Charlie Bucket lives in awe of the stories of Willy Wonka, perhaps the world's greatest manufacturer of chocolate, and one day, the opportunity arises to visit his private factory when a contest is held - five lucky children who find special golden tickets in select chocolate bars will be given an exclusive tour. The rest of the story is the result of the contest as the secrets of Wonka's mysterious means of making his confectionaries are revealed and the winning children are whittled away one by one due to their own disobedience or general unpleasantness. Filled with Dahl's trademark dark sense of humor and grotesque personae, the book has attracted as much controversy as praise, but it's a fine piece of entertainment nonetheless.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Roald-Dahl/dp/0142410314/
Trade (Deluxe): https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143106333/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Chocolate-Factory-Bucket-Book-ebook/dp/B0093X805W/



Viewing: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Mel Stuart, 1971)

Though not without its own controversy due to Dahl himself disliking it intensely because of changes to the story, this remains the best known film adaptation of the book, beginning in obscurity but later beloved by many due to television and home video and even added to the Library of Congress's National Film Registry. Though the children are still a major focus, perhaps the most remembered part goes to comic legend Gene Wilder as the eccentric Willy Wonka, filled with a manic yet childlike energy; also of significant note are the memorable songs composed by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, buoyed by a score from Walter Scharf. One way or another, it's an event that won't soon be forgotten.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Willy-Wonka-Chocolate-Factory/dp/B005G2OJX6/
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Willy-Wonka-Chocolate-Factory-Blu-ray/dp/1419878573/
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Willy-Chocolate-Factory-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B091GJD75T/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Willy-Wonka-Chocolate-Factory-Wilder/dp/B002YNKLJG/


I hope that fills up your month for the time being. Have a great fall!