- Paperback: 208 pages
- Publisher: Puffin Books; New edition edition (5 April 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0141311398
- ISBN-13: 978-0141311395
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.6 x 1.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
178,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #95 in Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators > B > Blake, Quentin
The Witches
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
"This is not a fairy tale. This is about real witches." So begins one of Roald Dahl's best books ever, and, ironically, it is such a great story because the premise is perfectly plausible from the outset. When the narrator's parents die in a car crash on page two (contrast this terribly real demise with that of James's parents who are devoured by an escaped rhinoceros in James and the Giant Peach), he is taken in by his cigar-smoking Norwegian grandmother, who has learned a storyteller's respect for witches and is wise to their ways.
The bond between the boy and his grandmother becomes the centrepiece of the tale--a partnership of love and understanding that survives even the boy's unfortunate transformation into a mouse. And once the two have teamed up to outwitch the witches, the boy's declaration that he's glad he's a mouse because he will now live only as long as his grandmother is far more poignant than eerie.
Of course, there's adventure here along with Dahl's trademark cleverness and sense of the grotesque. Dahl also communicates some essential truths to children: if they smoke cigars, they'll never catch cold, and, most importantly, they should never bathe, because a clean child is far, far easier for a witch to smell than a dirty one. (Ages 7 to 10, or read aloud to younger children) --Susan Harrison
Amazon.co.uk Review
"This is not a fairy tale. This is about real witches." So begins one of Roald Dahl's best books ever, and, ironically, it is such a great story because the premise is perfectly plausible from the outset. When the narrator's parents die in a car crash on page two (contrast this terribly real demise with that of James's parents who are devoured by an escaped rhinoceros in James and the Giant Peach), he is taken in by his cigar-smoking Norwegian grandmother, who has learned a storyteller's respect for witches and is wise to their ways.
The bond between the boy and his grandmother becomes the centrepiece of the tale--a partnership of love and understanding that survives even the boy's unfortunate transformation into a mouse. And once the two have teamed up to outwitch the witches, the boy's declaration that he's glad he's a mouse because he will now live only as long as his grandmother is far more poignant than eerie.
Of course, there's adventure here along with Dahl's trademark cleverness and sense of the grotesque. Dahl also communicates some essential truths to children: if they smoke cigars, they'll never catch cold, and, most importantly, they should never bathe, because a clean child is far, far easier for a witch to smell than a dirty one. (Ages 7 to 10, or read aloud to younger children) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
In fairy-tales, witches always wear silly black hats and black cloaks, and they ride on broomsticks. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
In fairy-tales, witches always wear silly black hats and black cloaks, and they ride on broomsticks. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am currently reading this book to my children at bedtime, and it must be the most gripping book they have had so far! Unusually for them, they sit silently, listening and hanging on every word. I read just a few chapters a night and every night so far they have cried, "NOOOO! Not yet!! one more chapter...PLEASE just ONE more chapter!!".
The style in which the book is written is the key to it's success I believe. The book has been written as though it is a true story.
We have previously finished reading James & the giant peach, and although they enjoyed it, The Witches is most definitely more popular.
A truly great read. Well done Mr Dahl!
The style in which the book is written is the key to it's success I believe. The book has been written as though it is a true story.
We have previously finished reading James & the giant peach, and although they enjoyed it, The Witches is most definitely more popular.
A truly great read. Well done Mr Dahl!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is enchanting book, which I read to my 8 year old son at bedtime. A truly gripping story that holds no punches when appealing to a childs intrigue for ghoulish scariness. He couldn't even wait for the next installment and secreted the book into his school bag as a replacement for his class reading book the next day!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Plot: To witches children smell like dogs droppings and you never know where one is. On the outside (with a disguise on), a witch can look like any ordinary women. Without the gloves to cover their cat like claws; they wear wigs because they are actually bald; witches are very difficult to tell apart from humans, or are they?
Fact: The boy (who is unnamed) in the story's grandmother is Norwegian and is really based on Roald Dahl's mother who inspired him a lot!
Rating and recommendation: I would rate this brilliant book 7/ 10; I think would recommend this perfect paperback to all Roald Dahl fans, especially 7 - 12 year
olds
Fact: The boy (who is unnamed) in the story's grandmother is Norwegian and is really based on Roald Dahl's mother who inspired him a lot!
Rating and recommendation: I would rate this brilliant book 7/ 10; I think would recommend this perfect paperback to all Roald Dahl fans, especially 7 - 12 year
olds
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Julia Van Poortviliet's Review
I am reading The Witches in school at the moment and I think it is brilliant! I am up to the bit where two little boys turn in to rats! Read more
Published 1 month ago by L. Thayer
Brilliant and frightening!
I first read this book when I was ten - and I loved it so much that I went on to buy nearly every single book by Dahl that I could lay my hands on. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Maglor
brillaint
what can i say i ordered the book on thursday nite, and it was delivered to me on the monday. also bear in mind this came from england and was delivered to ireland. Read more
Published 3 months ago by tia
Wicked!
I found this the perfect bedtime read-aloud book for a seven year old boy. For me, it epitomises Roald Dahl's gift in blending the storytelling ingredients that most captivate... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Catananche
The Witches : Plays for Children - A great drama resource
This is a brilliant classroom resource. The book is broken into approx 6 scenes which can be put together to make one play or can be kept as individual plays. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Smurfy
the witches - what age group?
I guess the crucial factor is the individual child. For my 5 year old daughter, I felt i could read it to her - albeit abridging/eliminating some of the nastier descriptions. Read more
Published 6 months ago by robertpem
PURE ENTERTAINMENT!
THE WITCHES was just pure entertainment! It was absolutely hilarious for one thing, and for another it was delightfully scary! The characters were brilliant! Read more
Published 11 months ago by G. Stephenson
Wonderful story
A wonderful and at times scary book (for my 6yr old daughter) written by Roald Dahl, what more needs to be said? Definately recommended.
Published 11 months ago by Monkey Mark
Perfect
My son needed this book for his new school project. Ordered it on Friday afternoon and it was delivered Saturday - great service.
Published 13 months ago by MandyJ
The greatest book ever THE WITCHES
The Witches is one of the best books ever. My favourite person in the story is The Grand High Witch. She is the one who makes it fun. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Nibey
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