So, the last of the Roald Dahl titles on the Top 100 Reads list has just been completed ... The BFG, or Big Friendly Giant, is a bit of a dark tale that didn't sit comfortably with me. There are many dark elements to Roald Dahl books, but this one struck me as particularly so. Sophie, an unhappy orphan, is looking out of her window one night, when she spots a giant coming down the road and poking a trumpet in through a window. Surely, she's imagining this, and if not, what is he doing and where has he come from? But no, she's not seeing things ... the giant spots her, kidnaps her and takes her back to his country, in order to protect himself - as he fears he will be hunted down if people know there are giants. He explains that he uses the trumpet to blow nice dreams into bedrooms for children, and that he loves "human beans" in a good way ... not like the other giants living in his land. They head off each night to different countries for their dinner - which is as many humans as they think they can get away with. The BFG is disgusted by this, but feels helpless to stop them, as they are all twice the size of him. As he and Sophie get to know each other, they come up with a plan full of cunning and bravado, and of course, it involves the Queen! The BFG mixes up words all the time, which did start to get on my nerves. I wasn't too enamoured with the premise of the story either - all but one giant are bad, with absolutely no redeeming features. Far too black and white for my liking. There are some good bits, but not enough. Not a favourite of mine at all - I was quite disappointed I have to admit.
My STAR rating: TWO.
Length: 199 print pages.
Price I paid: free - borrowed from local library.
Formats available: print; audio; ebook; multimedia CD.
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