Roald Dahl's "The Magic Finger" is a children's book that tells the story of an eight-year-old girl with a special power. The story starts with the girl introducing herself and her family, who live on a farm. She explains that she possesses a magic finger, inherited from her grandmother, which she uses to punish people who mistreat animals. One day, the girl sees her neighbors, the Gregg family, hunting ducks. Outraged by their cruel behavior, she raises her finger towards them and uses her magic power. Suddenly, the Greggs shrink to the size of ducks, and the real ducks grow to human size.
A true genius . . . Roald dahl is my hero' - david walliams phizz-whizzing new branding for the world's no.1 storyteller, roald dahl!exciting, bold and instantly recognisable with quentin blake's inimitable artwork.the story of a little girl with magical powers. When someone makes her angry she zaps a punishment on them with her magic flashing finger! this edition has a great new cover, with illustrations by quentin blake, and some new facts about roald dahl and his world.roald dahl, the best-loved of children's writers, was born in wales of norwegian parents. His books continue to be bestsellers, despite his death in 1990, and total sales are over 100 million worldwide! quentin blake is one of the best-known and best-loved children's illustrators and it's impossible now to think of roald dahl's writings without imagining quentin blake's illustrations.
Dahl s use of language is simple but rich and easy to read so that children can understand it, but it is also fascinating enough for an adult reader Dahl has an excellent use of language that appeals to both children and adults. The Magic Finger is a fun, interesting and thought-provoking read that is still relevant today even though it was written nearly 60 years ago, and it doesn t feel in anyway stale or outdated.
Suddenly, the Greggs shrink to the size of ducks, and the real ducks grow to human size. The Greggs are now forced to live in a small wooden hut located near the duck pond. Once transformed, the Greggs realize the error of their ways, and the girl and her family take care of them.
The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl Review
Roald Dahl is known the world over as one of the greatest children’s book authors and despite being born in 1916 and his first book published in 1943, his books are still going strong today. Not bad for someone who was described on school reports as “… an indolent and illiterate member of the class” and “Consistently idle. Ideas limited”.
The Magic Finger is a children’s fantasy, a short book first published in 1966, a story about hunting, anger, compassion, kindness and forgiveness. It is narrated by an 8-year-old girl (we never find out her name) who has a magic finger and the consequences of getting on the wrong side of her anger. She is not telling her story, but telling the story of her friends and neighbours, The Greggs.
Girl has a magic finger. That sounds great, doesn’t it? When she gets cross and the red mist comes down, she puts her magic finger on you and that is something that you really don’t want to happen – in a flash, her poor old teacher grew whiskers and a tail, just like a cat! When injustice calls, the Magic Finger confronts the problem and turns people into animal hybrids.
The Greggs (they own a farm, not the bakers) are neighbours of Girl. There is Mr and Mrs Gregg, 11-year-old William and 8-year-old Philip. Girl is friends with Philip and William, but she really doesn’t like it when they go hunting. They aren’t going hunting for food but hunt for the thrill of the kill, shooting as many animals as they can. When they go off hunting one day, Girl sees red and out comes The Magic Finger and it points a curse on the entire Gregg family. After the mindless killing of 16 ducks, 4 ducks turn on them and force them home for the night. Overnight all the Greggs shrink in size and their arms are replaced with wings. They have changed in to duck/human hybrids. On taking flight and enjoying the freedom of flying they notice four enormous ducks in their garden, but these weren’t just large ducks – they now have arms instead of wings! And the tables have been turned. The Greggs are now without a home and the ducks have taken over their house. The ducks want revenge.
Overall, The Magic Finger is a captivating and easy read. Dahl’s use of language is simple but rich and easy to read so that children can understand it, but it is also fascinating enough for an adult reader – Dahl has an excellent use of language that appeals to both children and adults. The dry humour and wit of Dahl really comes through.
Whilst the initial story is of a girl, her anger and her magic finger, the underlying story is of compassion, kindness and forgiveness. The Greggs start the story having no compassion for animals, but after the Magic Finger turns the tables and spending a night living as ducks, they learn compassion and change their ways. It helps young readers understand that the hunting of animals for sport is wrong and that the things you do can have a big impact on other people’s (or in this case, ducks) lives. By reversing the roles, it shows how looking at things from the other point of view can bring things into focus with crystal-clear clarity.
The Magic Finger is a fun, interesting and thought-provoking read that is still relevant today even though it was written nearly 60 years ago, and it doesn’t feel in anyway stale or outdated.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £5.99 (Paperback) / £4.99 (Kindle)
The girl is never quite sure what the Magic Finger will do, but she knows it’s going to be a doozy. In the case of the Greggs, the Magic Finger turns the family into ducks and ducks into hunters. Only when the Greggs promise to never hunt again, the spell is broken.
The girl's father, who initially doubted her magical powers, becomes more understanding as he witnesses the transformation and its consequences. They all work together to convince the Greggs to change their ways and treat animals with kindness and respect. Eventually, the Greggs learn their lesson and promise never to hunt again. The girl, now content with the situation, removes her magic finger, and the transformation is reversed. However, as a result of the experience, the girl gets a new magic power. Whenever she sees someone treating an animal cruelly, she can use her power to transfer their body into the animal's body temporarily. This way, they can experience firsthand the suffering they inflict on the animals. In essence, "The Magic Finger" addresses the themes of empathy, kindness, and taking responsibility for one's actions. It teaches children the importance of treating animals with respect and understanding the consequences of their behavior. The story encourages readers to consider the impact their actions have on others and to stand up against cruelty towards animals. "The Magic Finger" is a classic children's book by Roald Dahl, known for his imaginative storytelling and ability to engage young readers. It remains a beloved tale that continues to resonate with readers of all ages, reminding us of the power and consequences of our actions..
Reviews for "The Magic Finger: Dahl's Observation of Human Nature and Power Dynamics"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was so disappointed with "Roal Dhal's The Magic Finger". The story had such potential with a magical concept, but it fell flat for me. The characters lacked depth, and the plot was overly simplistic. I was hoping for a captivating and imaginative tale, but instead, it felt rushed and underdeveloped. Overall, it was not up to par with other Roald Dahl masterpieces.
2. Mike - 3/5 - Although I am a fan of Roald Dahl, I found "The Magic Finger" to be one of his weaker works. The story felt disjointed and lacking a clear focus. The concept of the magic finger was intriguing, but it didn't deliver the level of magic and wonder I was expecting from Dahl. The characters were also not as memorable or relatable as in his other books. While it was an easy read, it didn't leave a lasting impression like his other works.
3. Emily - 2/5 - "The Magic Finger" by Roald Dahl was quite a disappointment for me. I felt that the story was too simplistic and lacked the depth and complexity I usually associate with Dahl's works. The characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue felt forced at times. Additionally, the moral lesson conveyed in the book was heavy-handed and predictable. Overall, it didn't live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it to avid Roald Dahl fans.
4. James - 2/5 - I have always enjoyed Roald Dahl's books, but "The Magic Finger" left me underwhelmed. The story was short and lacked the usual charm and depth I associate with his works. The plot felt rushed and predictable, and the ending was abrupt. Additionally, the characters were not as memorable or engaging as in Dahl's other books. While it was a quick and easy read, it didn't have the lasting impact that I have come to expect from his stories.
5. Lisa - 3/5 - While "The Magic Finger" by Roald Dahl had an interesting premise, I found that it fell short in execution. The story lacked the depth and complexity that I usually associate with Dahl's works. The characters felt underdeveloped and the plot was fairly predictable. I also found the resolution to be a bit too convenient and rushed. Overall, while it was an enjoyable read, it didn't leave a lasting impression on me like some of Dahl's other books.