Favorite Quotes:
"Sophie, crouching underneath the blanket, felt strong fingers grasping hold of her, and then she was lifted up from her bed, blanket and all, and whisked out of the window.
If you can think of anything more terrifying than that happening to you in the middle of the night, then let's hear about it." -page 17
"The Giant let out a bellow of laughter. 'Just because I is a giant, you think I is a man-gobbling cannybull!' he shouted. -page 25
"If it is very warm weather and a giant is feeling as hot as a sizzlepan, he will probably go galloping far up to the frisby north to get himself an Esquimo or two to cool him down. A nice fat Esquimo to a giant is like a lovely ice-cream lolly to you." -page 37
"And the bubbles were wonderful. Sophie could actually feel them bouncing and bursting all around her tummy. It was an amazing sensation. It felt as though hundreds of tiny people were dancing a jig inside her and tickling her with their toes. It was lovely." -page 68
"'The matter with human beans,' the BFG went on, 'is that they is absolutely refusing to believe in anything unless they is actually seeing it right in front of their own schnozzles." -page 99
About the Main Character:
This book really has two main characters, Sophie and the BFG, but I honestly don't think I could give a description of the BFG that would do him justice...you'll have to read the book to know all about him! Sophie is the little girl with the extreme misfortune of being carried off by a giant in the middle of the night! Yet, the real story begins when she realizes her misfortune may not be a misfortune after all. The BFG becomes her friend and together they solve the problem of Giant Country...namely the 9 other giants who reside there and sneak of each night to gobble up poor "human beans!" She is clever girl with a very interesting best friend.
Another Character to Note:
The majority of the book is just Sophie and the BFG, but the Queen of England does make an appearance. What I love about her addition to the book is how straightforward she is in dealing with what Sophie and the BFG have to tell her. The problem is presented to her and within 24 hours it is dealt with completely. Quite direct, that Queen of England!
Plot Breakdown:
1. The Little Girl Who Saw Him...The BFG had no choice, but to take Sophie.
2. Running to Giant Country...the BFG could be an Olympic sprinter and Sophie takes a peek at the 9 man-eaters.
3. Breakfast...Is Sophie on the menu?
4. The B-F-G's J-O-B...Sophie learns what the BFG spends his evenings doing.
5. A Plan and a little Mixing...by putting their minds to it, Sophie and the BFG contrive a way to save the people of the world from the 9 man-eaters.
6. A Little Assistance...introducing the Queen of England!
7. A Big Hole and a House with Big Doors...with the man-eaters taken care of, the BFG and Sophie each get their reward.
8. Learning and Writing...a wrap-up of what Sophie and the BFG did after leaving Giant Country.
Something Interesting to Note:
My favorite thing about this book is the quirky language used by the BFG. Dahl evidently put so much time and thought into what the BFG called everything. It makes the book feel charged with imaginative, playful energy! And who doesn't love a little word play, "right or left?"
Right, that's what I thought :)
Should you read The BFG before you die?
My opinion would be yes, you should! Though that may be because because I love it so much. To me, it is one of those books you should really read as a child, but, if you missed it, it's never too late to read The BFG. It's a great little reminder of the wonder that is being a child. It will definitely be something I read again!
This was one of my favorites when I was a kid.
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