Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
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Original book cover of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator with illustrations by Joseph Schindelman | |
| Author | Roald Dahl |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Joseph Schindelman (1st US edition) Faith Jaques (1st UK edition) Michael Foreman (2nd edition) Quentin Blake (3rd edition) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Science fantasy Children's novel |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
Publication date | 1972 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 159 |
| ISBN | 0-394-82472-5 (first edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 314239 |
| LC Class | PZ7.D1515 Ck3 |
| Preceded by | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory |
| Followed by | Charlie in the White House (unfinished)' |
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator is a children's book by British author Roald Dahl. It is the sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, continuing the story of young Charlie Bucket and chocolatier Willy Wonka as they travel in the Great Glass Elevator. The book was first published in the United States by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. in 1972, and in the United Kingdom by George Allen & Unwin in 1973.
Although the original book has been filmed three times, in 1971, 2005, and an animated adaptation in 2017, The Great Glass Elevator has never been adapted on a visual medium; however it was adapted for audio by Puffin Audio Books starring Neil Answych as Charlie Bucket and Gordan Fairclough as Willy Wonka.[1] Dahl began writing a third book in the series, titled Charlie in the White House, but did not complete it.[2]
Contents
Plot[edit]
The story picks up where the previous book left off, with Charlie and his whole family aboard the flying Great Glass Elevator. The Elevator goes into orbit accidentally, and Mr Wonka docks them at the U.S. Space Hotel. Shortly after their arrival, the hotel's elevators open, revealing man-eating monsters, known as Vermicious Knids, which form the word 'SCRAM'. Recognising the danger, Mr Wonka orders his group off the Space Hotel. The hotel staff themselves escape only after some have been (presumably) eaten by the Knids. Charlie suggests towing the shuttle back to Earth, and in the process, the Knids are incinerated in the atmosphere. Mr Wonka releases the shuttle, and the Elevator crashes down through the roof of the chocolate factory.
Back in the chocolate factory, three of Charlie's grandparents refuse to leave their bed. Mr Wonka gives them a rejuvenation formula. They take much more than they need, subtracting eighty years. Two become babies, but 78-year-old Grandma Georgina vanishes, having become "-2". Charlie and Mr Wonka journey to 'Minusland', where Mr. Wonka sprays her with a compound that makes people older. Grandma Georgina has become 358 years old. Using a cautious dose, the three are restored to their original age.
Finally, the President of the U.S. invites the family and Mr Wonka to the White House, as a thank you for their space rescue.
Unfinished sequel[edit]
A follow-up to the book was planned, called Charlie in the White House. Charlie's family and Mr. Wonka are invited by President Gilligrass to have dinner at the White House, as thanks for rescuing the spacecraft from its attack by the Vermicious Knids. Dahl only wrote the first chapter, which is on display at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden.[3]
Editions[edit]
- ISBN 0-394-82472-5 (hardcover, 1972)
- ISBN 0-394-92472-X (library servings, 1972)
- ISBN 0-04-823106-1 (board book, 1973)
- ISBN 0-14-030755-9 (paperback, 1975)
- ISBN 0-14-032043-1 (paperback, 1986, illustrated by Michael Foreman)
- ISBN 0-14-032870-X (paperback, 1988)
- ISBN 0-670-85249-X (hardcover, 1995)
- ISBN 0-14-037155-9 (paperback, 1995)
- ISBN 0-14-038533-9 (paperback, 1997)
- ISBN 0-375-91525-7 (library binding, 2001)
- ISBN 0-14-131143-6 (paperback, 2001)
- ISBN 0-375-81525-2 (hardcover, 2001)
- ISBN 0-14-240412-8 (paperback, 2005)
- ISBN 0-141-80780-6 (audio CD read by Eric Idle)
- ISBN 978-0141357850 (paperback, 2018, colour edition illustrated by Quentin Blake)
References[edit]
- ^ https://www.roalddahlfans.com/dahls-work/audio-books/charlie-and-the-great-glass-elevator-3/
- ^ Chilton, Martin (18 November 2010). "The 25 best children's books". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
- ^ "Charlie in the White House".