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Justine's Reviews > The BFG
The BFG
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I'm not going to lie, I'm rather disappointed with BFG (which I've never read before)-- but is the favorite Dahl book of many of my friends. I found it to be pretty grating and not that pleasant a read for the following reasons:
1) Jar Jar Binks factor. The BFG speaks in his weird, uneducated pigdin that I frankly find kind of insulting. I'm sure children around the English speaking world are all thrilled by what Dahl has created-- but honestly, even for a word-monger like me, this is pretty ridiculous. Also, the fact that he is uneducated and constantly judged for his speech pathology by everyone else is just douchey.
2) Sophie is the most annoying Dahl protagonist ever. She's a snotty, bratty, and imperious little brat who exemplifies the worst of stereotypical English children-- lacking imagination and bossy. Compared to wonderful Matilda, Charlie, James, or even the kid in the witches, Sophie is a jerk.
3) Racial insensitivity (though this is also kind of a redeeming factor). Dahl's bit about human beans and how they taste is hilarious, but also kind of meh. Also, the annoying treatment of the entire Middle East by the Queen of England? She should know better.
Redeeming factors:
1) Farting. I'm glad that Dahl supports farting as music. Take that mother England.
2) Hidden Humanitarian Message: BFG is quick to explain that humans are the only species that kill each other. While this is not factually true (watch the Planet Earth chimp wars), Dahl makes a nifty point. Hey kids-- even if the giants are horrible, at least they have the decency not to kill each other. Take that mankind! World Peace!
3) Anti-establishment tinge. Dahl doesn't like army or air force generals, and it shows.
4) Obvious admiration for butlers. "A man does not rise to become the Queen's butler unless he is gifted with extraordinary ingenuity, adaptability, versatility, dexterity, cunning, sophistication, sagacity, discretion and a host of other talents that neither you nor I possess." Dahl definitely has a weird butler fetish.
5) Charles Dickens = Dahl's Chickens. Freaking genius.
1) Jar Jar Binks factor. The BFG speaks in his weird, uneducated pigdin that I frankly find kind of insulting. I'm sure children around the English speaking world are all thrilled by what Dahl has created-- but honestly, even for a word-monger like me, this is pretty ridiculous. Also, the fact that he is uneducated and constantly judged for his speech pathology by everyone else is just douchey.
2) Sophie is the most annoying Dahl protagonist ever. She's a snotty, bratty, and imperious little brat who exemplifies the worst of stereotypical English children-- lacking imagination and bossy. Compared to wonderful Matilda, Charlie, James, or even the kid in the witches, Sophie is a jerk.
3) Racial insensitivity (though this is also kind of a redeeming factor). Dahl's bit about human beans and how they taste is hilarious, but also kind of meh. Also, the annoying treatment of the entire Middle East by the Queen of England? She should know better.
Redeeming factors:
1) Farting. I'm glad that Dahl supports farting as music. Take that mother England.
2) Hidden Humanitarian Message: BFG is quick to explain that humans are the only species that kill each other. While this is not factually true (watch the Planet Earth chimp wars), Dahl makes a nifty point. Hey kids-- even if the giants are horrible, at least they have the decency not to kill each other. Take that mankind! World Peace!
3) Anti-establishment tinge. Dahl doesn't like army or air force generals, and it shows.
4) Obvious admiration for butlers. "A man does not rise to become the Queen's butler unless he is gifted with extraordinary ingenuity, adaptability, versatility, dexterity, cunning, sophistication, sagacity, discretion and a host of other talents that neither you nor I possess." Dahl definitely has a weird butler fetish.
5) Charles Dickens = Dahl's Chickens. Freaking genius.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
December 1, 2008
–
Finished Reading
December 6, 2008
– Shelved
August 4, 2016
– Shelved as:
library
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by
Ammaar
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 01, 2013 06:45AM
I couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Only halfway through the book, reading it for the first time also and I completely agree with what you say! I found the BFG's language a little irritating after a while, but can see how kids might enjoy this.
I agree, but my boys loved it.
I love the BFG it's a funny book
I'm 64% of the way through and enjoying it very much (I'm 33 and reading it for the first time). You do realise that the BFG speaks gobblefunk because he's had very little exposure to English over the many years... I think that's a very poor reason to mark a book down. I mean you would not mark Lord of the Rings down because it features a made up language would you?
Me too but it will help us with a few hours
Totally agree with you. I thought I was the only person felt so.
i find the BFG´s language rather entertaining
