The rule would be this: Whatever he saw, if it was runny or powdery or gooey, it went in. 

Paperback | 104 pages

Published: Penguin Random House (2016, part of 15 book set)

Read: 29th April

I did read this book as a kid. I have a vague memory of my Dad reading it to me but I honestly can’t tell if that is real memory or something I made up! Anyway, I was eager to read this as an adult because I knew my perspective would be different.

Roald Dahl writes in a way that makes his works accessible to children and adults alike. I had no difficulty reading this and enjoyed the short adventure.

It is funny how the feelings for the Grandma lingered. It has been decades since I’ve read this and yet I still carried the same hatred I had for the character. It is easy to see why George gets so fed up with her. A woman that mean should be allowed to spew her hate.

George was just as I remembered him. As a child I remember thinking what a brave eight-year-old he was, but as an adult I saw him as more rambunctious and mischievous. I certainly wouldn’t drink his marvellous medicine but wouldn’t it be a hoot to discover it was really magic?

Easy to visualise between Quentin’s illustrations and Dahl’s style of writing. The book very much invites you in and you find yourself wanting to stay for much longer than just the story.

I was alarmed by how much my brain insisted on bringing to my attention, how any normal person would die from drinking George’s Marvellous Medicine! – but I guess that is the adult in me? Otherwise, the experience of reading this was just as magical as I remembered and I was pleased that reading it lived up to the memory I had of it. Again, this is a short story, so there isn’t much to review on. I do think the medicine would be a cool thing to have at your disposal, I can think of quite a few people I’d like to try it out on…

For twenty minutes I had a smile upon my face, I was relaxed, I was distracted, and I was thoroughly enjoying George’s Marvellous Medicine, and that, is really, what it’s all about. This was light and fun and enjoyable to read. Roald Dahl will always have a special place in my heart and I am glad that his books are able to be enjoyed by people of any age.