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Mumsnet webchats

Fan of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Join Lucy Mangan for webchat, 10 September, 9-10pm

87 replies

RachelMumsnet · 01/09/2014 17:21

Author and PPA Columnist of the Year Lucy Mangan is joining us on Wednesday 10 September between 9 and 10pm for a webchat about her latest book, Inside Charlie's Chocolate Factory.

Published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Charlie, Lucy has delved deep into the archive to present the story behind Roald Dahl's best-loved classic. Bringing together rare extracts, unseen characters and early designs from the book, as well as behind-the-scenes photographs and actors? personal accounts from both stage and screen adaptations, Mangan explores the cultural impact of one of the most widely loved children?s stories of all time.

She will be taking your questions about all things Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the evening of Wednesday 10th September, including why there were originally ten children in the factory and why some chapters didn't make the cut. Save the date or post your questions or thoughts on the book to Lucy on this thread and watch this space for info about some great prizes to be won during the webchat.

Fan of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Join Lucy Mangan for webchat, 10 September, 9-10pm
OP posts:
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Dunlurking · 01/09/2014 18:08

She had a great article in Saturday's Guardian, based on her book here

The Guardian also published this extract of an unpublished chapter here

Hi Lucy, looking forward to the webchat. I really enjoy your Guardian column. Just thinking of questions...

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fuzzpig · 02/09/2014 13:34

Hi Lucy,

Sounds like a really interesting book! Funnily enough the next chapter book we are reading is Charlie :) she's already enjoyed a couple of other RD books.

I would love to know what made you want to write about this book in particular - is it a story you've always loved?

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BookABooSue · 03/09/2014 15:52

Hi Lucy,

I love your column.

When I read the article about the book, I was surprised how many drafts there were. Somehow I'd always assumed CATCF had sprung forth almost fully formed! Were you surprised how many drafts it went through before reaching the final version?

Also, were there any aspects of the drafts that you wish Dahl had kept in the original?

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BookABooSue · 03/09/2014 15:53

Duh! Not 'the original - the published version.

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Starlingsintheslipstream · 06/09/2014 00:10

Which film version do you prefer? I love the Gene Wilder version as it was part of my childhood but when I saw the Tim Burton adaptation it struck me how faithful it was to the book. So, I'm undecided Hmm

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fuzzpig · 06/09/2014 07:15

I'm glad you asked that starlings, that was my other choice of question :o I prefer the original, but that may be for nostalgic reasons really.

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StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 08/09/2014 18:34

I was going to ask the same as Starlings - I feel the same as fuzzpig.
I would like to know if you think the Wonka chocolates and sweets are good enough to carry the Wonka name - for me they lack the true bizarre Wonka imagination, but I think it's a sign of how influential the story is that it inevitably became a brand for sale in real life.

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fruitpastille · 09/09/2014 14:32

Hi Lucy,
I am also a fan of your column and particularly enjoy your writing about children's books - I have all my old ones alphabetized and awaiting re reading by the DC Grin I love Roald Dahl añd even inadvertently named two of my children after his characters!

Do you have a favourite character/chapter in Charlie and the chocolate factory? And do you have a favourite in any of the other books?

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SundayGirl79 · 09/09/2014 16:41

I'm a big fan of Lucy Mangans and would love to know what she thinks of the new jacket cover that has just been published. ITS ALL WRONG!!! I look forwards to the webchat on Wednesday.

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SundayGirl79 · 09/09/2014 16:45

Here's the jacket image if I manage to upload it, incase you haven't seen it (although I'm sure you have!)

Fan of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Join Lucy Mangan for webchat, 10 September, 9-10pm
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ChrissieMumsnet · 09/09/2014 17:41

Webchat update: everyone who participates in this webchat will automatically be entered into a draw to win one Family Golden Ticket to the Roald Dahl Museum which can be used on Roald Dahl day on 13 September.

Winners will also receive 1 x Inside Charlie’s Chocolate Factory, 1 x Penguin Modern Classics version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 1 x colour Puffin anniversary edition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a full set of Roald Dahl titles.

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fuzzpig · 09/09/2014 18:22

Wow, cool prizes! :o

We are a few chapters in to CATCF now, DD is absolutely loving it. It's the full colour A4 size version with the gold cover - really special. :)

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mrscumberbatch · 09/09/2014 18:45

If you could have created a character to throw into the factory who would it have been and why?

I think that the character tropes that they used are fabulous and continue to translate well years down the line.


Also Prince Pondicherry was an idiot. True story.

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thewomaninwhite · 09/09/2014 21:48

Do you still get caught up with just how dark the book is in places? I have read it a few times and watched both films (first is better!) but still feel surprised on each reading/watching about the darkness. Perhaps it is just me! I like that by the way, it is not a criticism.

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StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 10/09/2014 12:02

SundayGirl that's unbelievably wrong!

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curlyclaz13 · 10/09/2014 12:16

I love Charlie and the Chocolate factory and read it every year, I have already read it to DS and he is only 15 months Grin
Which invention from the book would you like to try in real life ? I quite fancy trying Butter Gin ! although stickjaw would be handy at work.

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Uzma01 · 10/09/2014 13:26

Sounds like an interesting read, will add to the list. I've always loved CATCF, the original film and grew to love the Tim Burton version too.

My question is, where next - which book will you delve into next to give a similar treatment to?

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Dunlurking · 10/09/2014 17:20

Hi Lucy. I would like to ask whether you have thought about writing fiction for children yourself. And what age group would you write for? And what genre/style? In fact, please spill the beans, do you have a Work In Progress aimed at young people?

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ClaraSky · 10/09/2014 17:30

Hi Lucy,

I recently saw the stage version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and was blown away by the production - I could not work out how they made the glass elevator fly across the stage - not a single wire to be seen anywhere!

What was your favourite part of the stage production?

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ThankYouDebbie · 10/09/2014 18:24

Hello Lucy, I would like to know if you have any plans to update your Guardian profile pic, as lovely as the green polka-dot dress and t-bar sandals are.

#trivial
#bitstalkery

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ibbydibby · 10/09/2014 19:02

Sorry can't join in - Rachelmumsnet - you might want to delete this message after you have read it, but I noticed massive typo in announcement..

"Webchat tonight: Join journalist Lucy Mangan for a discussion tonight about Dahl's best loved classic and her latest book, which presents the story behind the gates of Wonker's factory. Take part in the chat and find out about the Charlie goodies up for grabs."

Shouldn't it be Wonka...?

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mrsbabookaloo · 10/09/2014 19:51

That's what I wanted to say "WONKER"???

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mrsbabookaloo · 10/09/2014 19:51

Also thankyoudebbie - MIAOW!! This is why we are known as a nest of vipers.

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LucyMangan · 10/09/2014 20:21

Test

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DawnMumsnet · 10/09/2014 20:38

Thanks for that, ibbydibby

We have of course edited the home page now. Blush

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