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George's Marvelous Medicine
A taste of her own medicine.
George is alone in the house with Grandma. The most horrid, grizzly old grunion of a grandma ever. She needs something stronger than her usual medicine to cure her grouchiness. A special grandma medicine, a remedy for everything . And George knows just what to put into it. Grandma's in for the surprise of her life―and so is George, when he sees the results of his mixture!
George is alone in the house with Grandma. The most horrid, grizzly old grunion of a grandma ever. She needs something stronger than her usual medicine to cure her grouchiness. A special grandma medicine, a remedy for everything . And George knows just what to put into it. Grandma's in for the surprise of her life―and so is George, when he sees the results of his mixture!
112 pages, Library Binding
First published January 10, 1981
1611 people are currently reading
27345 people want to read
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,475 books26.7k followersRoald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,149 reviews
April 4, 2016
When I was twelve years old I gave a mini presentation to my English class about this book. Afterwards it was time for questions, one annoying girl (who looked strangely like Princess Leia from Star Wars) persisted in asking me, several times, if I didn’t realise that this was a “kid’s book.” She couldn’t understand how I could be reading it at my age; she even went as far as to call me childish. I was terribly insulted. I didn’t know how to respond. She went after me and gave her presentation on The Golden Compass which she said, whilst looking at me, with her nose up in the air, was a book for adults. Her mum had read it after all.
"Never grow up...always down."
So here I am, ten years on, reading my childish book and not giving two shits about it. If I could go back in time, I’d have a thing or two to say to that Princess Leia look-a-like. I’d tell her that you are never too old to enjoy a good children’s book; I’d tell her that a good piece of literature is universal, and has the potential to be enjoyed by all; I’d tell her that books are everything, and contain knowledge beyond her narrow comprehension; I’d tell her that I was still a child myself, so why couldn’t I read it? I’d tell her to stop pretending to be an adult, that’s not exactly something great. And most importantly, I’d tell her not to kiss boys with the last name Skywalker. That could be uncomfortable.
I’m digressing here. But, what I’m trying to say is, despite what people like that girl whose name I have long since forgotten think, children’s books really can be enjoyed by all. This is a fun little story. It shows us that children can get their own back on adults who mistreat them; it shows us that people can only be pushed too far before they snap back.
"George didn't say a word. He felt quite trembly. He knew something tremendous had taken place that morning. For a few brief moments he had touched with the very tips of his fingers the edge of a magic world."
There’s being a strict parent (or grandparent), and then there’s parental tyranny. George is the voice of the little guy; he is the voice of a boy who learnt how to stand up for himself, and finally got his own back on those that were just that little bit too mean to him. And in the process he does some good too. Honestly though kids, don’t go feeding your grandparents weird concoctions; it could be incredibly dangerous!
"Never grow up...always down."
So here I am, ten years on, reading my childish book and not giving two shits about it. If I could go back in time, I’d have a thing or two to say to that Princess Leia look-a-like. I’d tell her that you are never too old to enjoy a good children’s book; I’d tell her that a good piece of literature is universal, and has the potential to be enjoyed by all; I’d tell her that books are everything, and contain knowledge beyond her narrow comprehension; I’d tell her that I was still a child myself, so why couldn’t I read it? I’d tell her to stop pretending to be an adult, that’s not exactly something great. And most importantly, I’d tell her not to kiss boys with the last name Skywalker. That could be uncomfortable.
I’m digressing here. But, what I’m trying to say is, despite what people like that girl whose name I have long since forgotten think, children’s books really can be enjoyed by all. This is a fun little story. It shows us that children can get their own back on adults who mistreat them; it shows us that people can only be pushed too far before they snap back.
"George didn't say a word. He felt quite trembly. He knew something tremendous had taken place that morning. For a few brief moments he had touched with the very tips of his fingers the edge of a magic world."
There’s being a strict parent (or grandparent), and then there’s parental tyranny. George is the voice of the little guy; he is the voice of a boy who learnt how to stand up for himself, and finally got his own back on those that were just that little bit too mean to him. And in the process he does some good too. Honestly though kids, don’t go feeding your grandparents weird concoctions; it could be incredibly dangerous!
December 10, 2020
Well...that's one way to deal with a cranky grandparent
As a kid, I would find this mischievous and delightful. As an adult, I find George to be quite the monstrous little demon as he joyfully poisons grandma. Sure, the lady is grumpy and rude...but did he really need to make her disappear? I worry for George's parents, should they ever displease the little psychopath.
Now, George says he just wants to make her better medicine. It's all a cover-up. Even at eight, you'd know whether or not adding shoe polish and soap and paint and bottles and bottles of animal medicine would help or hurt your grandmother.
Sure, he did accidentally create magic. It's really cute that the chickens grew and shrank under his "meds" BUT I'm on to him. Someone needs to monitor the young serial killer.
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As a kid, I would find this mischievous and delightful. As an adult, I find George to be quite the monstrous little demon as he joyfully poisons grandma. Sure, the lady is grumpy and rude...but did he really need to make her disappear? I worry for George's parents, should they ever displease the little psychopath.
Now, George says he just wants to make her better medicine. It's all a cover-up. Even at eight, you'd know whether or not adding shoe polish and soap and paint and bottles and bottles of animal medicine would help or hurt your grandmother.
Sure, he did accidentally create magic. It's really cute that the chickens grew and shrank under his "meds" BUT I'm on to him. Someone needs to monitor the young serial killer.
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March 1, 2021
Short--but with tasters of other books at the end. But fun, fun, fun! If you liked CHARLIE AND THE GREAT GLASS ELEVATOR, you'll like this--at least I recommend it.
June 5, 2010
Mmmm. I really like Roald Dahl but this book...is a little scary. I wouldn't let my child read it. Introducing the idea into a child's head to create a concoction to add to a liquid medicine someone is currently taking is not something I want to do.
I also didn't like the language in the book. For example, here are some of the lines Grandma said,
"Mummy's as stupid as you are",
"you're a nasty little maggot"
"you're a lazy and disobedient little worm",
"oh you horrible little boy, you disgusting little worm",
"You're lying as usual",
"I always knew you were a selfish pig"
Things dad says to grandma,
"shut up, grandma"
"Don't listen to the old goat"
"she's a pain in the neck"
Then when grandma is about to drink the medicine that will kill her (at this point, Mom and george are trying to get her to not take it),Dad says,
"of course its for you Grandma...you take it and drink it while its hot"
"Drink up grandma," Mr. Kranky said grinning hugely, "lovely tea."
Grandma goes to the great beyond and Mom says to Dad
"Now you've done it!...You've cooked the old girls goose!"
"where is she?...I've lost her!"
"Hooray," said Mr Kranky.
After mom deals with the loss of her mother, she says, "Ah well, I suppose its all for the best really. She was a bit of a nuisance around the house, Wasn't she?"
Um, this is NOT a good book for children.
I also didn't like the language in the book. For example, here are some of the lines Grandma said,
"Mummy's as stupid as you are",
"you're a nasty little maggot"
"you're a lazy and disobedient little worm",
"oh you horrible little boy, you disgusting little worm",
"You're lying as usual",
"I always knew you were a selfish pig"
Things dad says to grandma,
"shut up, grandma"
"Don't listen to the old goat"
"she's a pain in the neck"
Then when grandma is about to drink the medicine that will kill her (at this point, Mom and george are trying to get her to not take it),Dad says,
"of course its for you Grandma...you take it and drink it while its hot"
"Drink up grandma," Mr. Kranky said grinning hugely, "lovely tea."
Grandma goes to the great beyond and Mom says to Dad
"Now you've done it!...You've cooked the old girls goose!"
"where is she?...I've lost her!"
"Hooray," said Mr Kranky.
After mom deals with the loss of her mother, she says, "Ah well, I suppose its all for the best really. She was a bit of a nuisance around the house, Wasn't she?"
Um, this is NOT a good book for children.
June 13, 2020
A re-read with Neo this week!!
Another Dahl classic that I have not read for many years. During a short binge read of the author's work, I thought that this would be perfect to warm my heart as I think back to my own childhood. George Kranky is a wonderful little boy, though he is saddled with one of the most cantankerous grandmothers on the planet. She insults him, berates him, and demands that he wait on her. Tiring of being insulted, George takes it upon himself to concoct a little plan to seek his own form of revenge. Knowing that dear grandma must take a medicinal elixir four times a day, he grabs a saucepan and begins dumping anything he can find therein. The ingredients vary from simple shaving cream to sheep dip and everything in between (save for the kitchen sink). Stirring and heating and boiling a tad, George feels that he may have the perfect revenge. Feeding it to her, George watches her fizzle and jerk, then spasm and flip. The end result, an ever-growing grandma whose head pops out of the roof tiles. Forced to face his parents upon their return, George and his father test out the formula to see how it might work on some of their farm animals, watching great growth of the chickens. With pound signs in their eyes, George and Mr. Kranky seek to replicate and perfect the medicine to market it to the world. However, things sometimes go awry and dear old Grandma is still expecting her morning tea. Whatever could happen now? Energetic in its development, Dahl offers up a wonderful story for the entire family to enjoy (thankfully with the disclaimer never to try this at home).
Dahl continues to impress with this wonderful story that tugs on the heart strings while also tickling the funny bone. I once read that Dahl tends to create many of his adult characters in a very negative sense; soured folks who want nothing than to crush the spirits of little ones. This story pits George against his awful grandmother, with the end result being a medicine that not only causes great mutations, but allows the younger generation to seek revenge for the antics of those who oppress them. Sounds deep and highly metaphoric, but Dahl does this in a humorous manner that attracts a great deal of attention. Dahl develops wonderful characters that clash and complement one another so well that the reader will revel in the contrasts. One thing I have noticed in Dahl's work is that he is much freer with negative expletives, even in books directed at children. "Shut up!", "stupid", and "idiot" flow effortlessly from the narrative and peppered in dialogue, which is likely not something that one would find in more recent (or perhaps ANY) stories geared to this age group. I am not offended, but it did pop into my mind as I read and devoured this piece. Interesting how sometimes fame can suspend the usual rules.
Kudos, Mr. Dahl for taking me back to my youth and remembering how Neo still loves to make potions in the bath. Thankfully, I never take even a wee sip!
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Another Dahl classic that I have not read for many years. During a short binge read of the author's work, I thought that this would be perfect to warm my heart as I think back to my own childhood. George Kranky is a wonderful little boy, though he is saddled with one of the most cantankerous grandmothers on the planet. She insults him, berates him, and demands that he wait on her. Tiring of being insulted, George takes it upon himself to concoct a little plan to seek his own form of revenge. Knowing that dear grandma must take a medicinal elixir four times a day, he grabs a saucepan and begins dumping anything he can find therein. The ingredients vary from simple shaving cream to sheep dip and everything in between (save for the kitchen sink). Stirring and heating and boiling a tad, George feels that he may have the perfect revenge. Feeding it to her, George watches her fizzle and jerk, then spasm and flip. The end result, an ever-growing grandma whose head pops out of the roof tiles. Forced to face his parents upon their return, George and his father test out the formula to see how it might work on some of their farm animals, watching great growth of the chickens. With pound signs in their eyes, George and Mr. Kranky seek to replicate and perfect the medicine to market it to the world. However, things sometimes go awry and dear old Grandma is still expecting her morning tea. Whatever could happen now? Energetic in its development, Dahl offers up a wonderful story for the entire family to enjoy (thankfully with the disclaimer never to try this at home).
Dahl continues to impress with this wonderful story that tugs on the heart strings while also tickling the funny bone. I once read that Dahl tends to create many of his adult characters in a very negative sense; soured folks who want nothing than to crush the spirits of little ones. This story pits George against his awful grandmother, with the end result being a medicine that not only causes great mutations, but allows the younger generation to seek revenge for the antics of those who oppress them. Sounds deep and highly metaphoric, but Dahl does this in a humorous manner that attracts a great deal of attention. Dahl develops wonderful characters that clash and complement one another so well that the reader will revel in the contrasts. One thing I have noticed in Dahl's work is that he is much freer with negative expletives, even in books directed at children. "Shut up!", "stupid", and "idiot" flow effortlessly from the narrative and peppered in dialogue, which is likely not something that one would find in more recent (or perhaps ANY) stories geared to this age group. I am not offended, but it did pop into my mind as I read and devoured this piece. Interesting how sometimes fame can suspend the usual rules.
Kudos, Mr. Dahl for taking me back to my youth and remembering how Neo still loves to make potions in the bath. Thankfully, I never take even a wee sip!
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 15, 2017
I am currently trying to read all of Roald Dahl's books since he is such a phenomenal writer. This book was no exception. It was creative and mystifying. The concept was unique and very captivating and the book left me with wanting to read more.
George's grandma bosses him around. George can't stand his grandmother and how she always treats him badly, so he decided to make a magic medicine to replace his grandma's normal medicine. He goes around his home and collects a variety of ingredients that are not food. He then adds brown paint to make the color the same as the original medicine.
When George gives the medicine to his grandma she blows up, like a large balloon. Her stomach was on fire. She keeps growing and becomes as tall as the house and she bursts through it. He then tests it on one of his father's chickens, which does the same thing. His father becomes very excited when he sees the chicken and gets the idea of having huge animals. They use the rest of the medicine on the farm animals, causing them to grow too.
George's father decides that they should make more of the medicine and sell it to farmers around the world and create more large animals. When George attempts to recreate his medicine, he is unsuccessful at remembering the ingredients. The fourth try at the medicine has the opposite effect of the first medicine; making animals small. The Grandma sees the cup of medicine that George was testing before and drinks the entire cup. This causes her to shrink so much she vanishes. This is where the book ends a little abruptly.
George's grandma bosses him around. George can't stand his grandmother and how she always treats him badly, so he decided to make a magic medicine to replace his grandma's normal medicine. He goes around his home and collects a variety of ingredients that are not food. He then adds brown paint to make the color the same as the original medicine.
When George gives the medicine to his grandma she blows up, like a large balloon. Her stomach was on fire. She keeps growing and becomes as tall as the house and she bursts through it. He then tests it on one of his father's chickens, which does the same thing. His father becomes very excited when he sees the chicken and gets the idea of having huge animals. They use the rest of the medicine on the farm animals, causing them to grow too.
George's father decides that they should make more of the medicine and sell it to farmers around the world and create more large animals. When George attempts to recreate his medicine, he is unsuccessful at remembering the ingredients. The fourth try at the medicine has the opposite effect of the first medicine; making animals small. The Grandma sees the cup of medicine that George was testing before and drinks the entire cup. This causes her to shrink so much she vanishes. This is where the book ends a little abruptly.
April 22, 2015
I rather sympathized with little George, a basically good, polite, and obedient boy who does his best to please his fickle and ill-tempered granny, to no avail. If I could get away with dosing my nearest but not-dearest with a dollop of George's Marvelous Medicine -- well, I better take the Fifth on that topic.
My attitude probably will not reassure adults who fret that undiscerning young readers may be inspired to emulate George's Graham Young ways, but this book is so crazy that I wouldn't be inclined to worry that children would take it as a life lesson. Unless you think your kid wants you dead; in that case, yeah, I wouldn't give him or her this book. You should maybe also not leave your 8-year-old home alone to cook for and medicate invalids, except in case of emergency (note: shopping does not qualify as an emergency).
But all's well that ends well, I guess. Unless you're Granny.
January 17, 2019
I don’t remember much about George’s Marvellous Medicine from when I read it as a kid except that I didn’t love it. So I was curious to find out exactly why I thought that and whether the book might be better now that I’m older and (barely) wiser.
Well: I think George’s Marvellous Medicine might be Roald Dahl’s worst book!
George has a hateful grandma whom he decides to teach a lesson by mixing together various ingredients and giving it to her, pretending it’s her medicine. Something silly happens to her when she takes it. That’s it. It’s amazing Dahl was able to stretch this utterly tedious story into 100+ pages!
Completely flat, uninteresting story (most of the book is Dahl listing unusual ingredients) filled with bland characters - no wonder I forgot this one; there’s nothing to remember! Roald Dahl’s a master storyteller but George’s Marvellous Medicine is anything but a marvellous read!
Well: I think George’s Marvellous Medicine might be Roald Dahl’s worst book!
George has a hateful grandma whom he decides to teach a lesson by mixing together various ingredients and giving it to her, pretending it’s her medicine. Something silly happens to her when she takes it. That’s it. It’s amazing Dahl was able to stretch this utterly tedious story into 100+ pages!
Completely flat, uninteresting story (most of the book is Dahl listing unusual ingredients) filled with bland characters - no wonder I forgot this one; there’s nothing to remember! Roald Dahl’s a master storyteller but George’s Marvellous Medicine is anything but a marvellous read!
July 22, 2019
I came across a copy of this the other day in my local bookstore. It's a childhood favourite and when I saw that the illustrations were in colour I couldn't resist buying it.
I've had a great time reading this again. Roald Dahl's books are absolutely brilliant and Quentin Blake's illustrations are the perfect match for the wonderful stories. Fun, absurd and somewhat scary, I have enjoyed reading 'George's Marvellous Medicine' many times! 🐓🐔
I've had a great time reading this again. Roald Dahl's books are absolutely brilliant and Quentin Blake's illustrations are the perfect match for the wonderful stories. Fun, absurd and somewhat scary, I have enjoyed reading 'George's Marvellous Medicine' many times! 🐓🐔
June 19, 2020
For my 200th review, I have once again returned to a guilty pleasure - Roald Dahl. The man was a genius and again in this quick children's fictional read, he proves it. I have always seen Dahl as a logical step for kids who start out reading Dr. Seuss. If Seuss's works were in song he would be known as a lyrical genius, the rhymes, and the silliness have fascinated kids and adults for decades and Dahl has done likewise. He has taken the magic, the absurdity, and the rhyming and placed it in a novel for young children rather than a picture book. Having said that, these volumes are liberally laced with great sketch works from the amazing Quentin Blake.
In George's Marvellous Medicine we meet young George who is burdened with the job of giving his Grandmother her daily medicine. Again Dahl has gone against the norm and written the Grandmother as a mean, snarling, despicable character rather than the sweet old lady we are accustomed to with book Grandmothers.
George is fed up and concocts his own medicine out of household items that would have any citizen jailed for feeding to another human but Dahl gets away with it because his books are a delight to read. Naturally, the medicine provided has some strange results and Granny ain't what Granny was. Lucky for George he has a Father who can find the lighter side of things (not how my Dad would have reacted, I can tell you) and wants to turn the medicine into a money-making scheme much to his wife's (the daughter of said Granny) disgust.
The book ends in a further surreal moment when Mrs. Kranky (oh yeah, I forgot, the family surname is Kranky) also finds the benefit in her Mother's demise. Thank-you yet again Mr. Dahl.
In George's Marvellous Medicine we meet young George who is burdened with the job of giving his Grandmother her daily medicine. Again Dahl has gone against the norm and written the Grandmother as a mean, snarling, despicable character rather than the sweet old lady we are accustomed to with book Grandmothers.
George is fed up and concocts his own medicine out of household items that would have any citizen jailed for feeding to another human but Dahl gets away with it because his books are a delight to read. Naturally, the medicine provided has some strange results and Granny ain't what Granny was. Lucky for George he has a Father who can find the lighter side of things (not how my Dad would have reacted, I can tell you) and wants to turn the medicine into a money-making scheme much to his wife's (the daughter of said Granny) disgust.
The book ends in a further surreal moment when Mrs. Kranky (oh yeah, I forgot, the family surname is Kranky) also finds the benefit in her Mother's demise. Thank-you yet again Mr. Dahl.
April 4, 2022
it's funny to imagine roald dahl thinking that medicine was roughly as whimsical and fantastical and appealing to children as a magic candy factory.
relatedly, this is not the same level of fun as a lot of other roald dahl books.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
relatedly, this is not the same level of fun as a lot of other roald dahl books.
part of a series i'm doing in which i review books i read a long time ago
May 20, 2020
Such a fun story. I have read the book to my kids, every day a bit, and it was a great adventure 😁.
January 23, 2019
I'm unsure where my lack of love for this title stemmed from. Please tell me I'm not the only one who used to spend their bath-time making 'potions' by mixing all the shampoos and bubble bath within reach into a jug?? That is basically what George does, in this story, only with more severe consequences.
George was a book I was familiar with, but never a childhood favourite of mine. I can recall repeated readings of this book, but I believe this was more due to my adoration for the author rather than the story, itself. Rereading it as an adult, and without the whole-hearted nostalgia that other of his titles had produced, made me a little more critical of the story. I am not in the age range to fully appreciate the story but can still do so for the appeal it would have held to others. I can also still look back on it fondly, if not with the blind love that other titles have produced.
George was a book I was familiar with, but never a childhood favourite of mine. I can recall repeated readings of this book, but I believe this was more due to my adoration for the author rather than the story, itself. Rereading it as an adult, and without the whole-hearted nostalgia that other of his titles had produced, made me a little more critical of the story. I am not in the age range to fully appreciate the story but can still do so for the appeal it would have held to others. I can also still look back on it fondly, if not with the blind love that other titles have produced.
November 15, 2020
3,5. Jorge vive en una gran casa de campo rodeado de animales. Con él viven sus padres y su horrible abuela. Esta aprovecha para maltratar a Jorge siempre que sus padres no pueden verlo. Una tarde, después de que su abuela lo asuste terriblemente y se dedique a atosigarle para que no olvide darle su medicina, Jorge decide crear una medicina especial para su abuela. Una que no olvide y que le sirva de escarmiento.
Leer a Roald Dahl siempre es una delicia y una experiencia divertida. Algunos libros me gustan más que otros, y a veces, como en el caso de "La maravillosa medicina de Jorge" se me hacen demasiado cortos. Me encanta que Dahl siempre tenga una moraleja en sus historias y estas son igual de disfrutables con 9 y 99 años. Y eso es una maravilla.
Leer a Roald Dahl siempre es una delicia y una experiencia divertida. Algunos libros me gustan más que otros, y a veces, como en el caso de "La maravillosa medicina de Jorge" se me hacen demasiado cortos. Me encanta que Dahl siempre tenga una moraleja en sus historias y estas son igual de disfrutables con 9 y 99 años. Y eso es una maravilla.
January 6, 2020
رولد دال فوق العاده س,هیچ وقت لذت خواندن دو جلد داستان زندگی ش رو فراموش نمیکنم,(پسر,سفر تک نفره)
هر اثر رولد دال پر از طنز ظریف,تخیل زیبا و احساس است,در یک کلام کتاب های رولد دال همیشه زنده اند.همیشه لبخند می زنند..
داروی شگفت انگیز البته به نوعی تراژدیک بود:))
هر اثر رولد دال پر از طنز ظریف,تخیل زیبا و احساس است,در یک کلام کتاب های رولد دال همیشه زنده اند.همیشه لبخند می زنند..
داروی شگفت انگیز البته به نوعی تراژدیک بود:))
April 23, 2018
I don't think this is appropriate for children. Young kids who read this might end up taking large gulps of shampoo or eating body lotions.. They also might end up hating their grandmothers and start calling them '' filthy hags''... Maybe I am missing something here.. But this book seemed too creepy to me.
I do recognize Dahl's unique writing style though...and I have to admit I liked it a little bit.
2 stars because I want this way to advise parents against reading this to their children..
I do recognize Dahl's unique writing style though...and I have to admit I liked it a little bit.
2 stars because I want this way to advise parents against reading this to their children..
September 23, 2021
One of the first chapter books I have read to my daughter that hasn't been about an animal rescue or zoo story, and quite different from those it is!
Dahl has dished up a rather sinister tale, in which (this is really not a spoiler) George mixes up a batch of medicine, of his own design, for his nasty old grandmother. Now mixing all sorts of household products not fit for consumption, let alone poisons and animal medicines is something we had a chat about, but because the overriding theme of this book (like most of Dahl's books come to think of it) is pro-kid and anti-abusive grandparent, I didn't have an issue with reading this with to her.
It is a pretty slow moving book, because it is initially about the selection of ingredients and concoction of the medicine, but it moves quickly on to the implications of the medicine, and then attempts to recreate the medicine.
4 stars.
Dahl has dished up a rather sinister tale, in which (this is really not a spoiler) George mixes up a batch of medicine, of his own design, for his nasty old grandmother. Now mixing all sorts of household products not fit for consumption, let alone poisons and animal medicines is something we had a chat about, but because the overriding theme of this book (like most of Dahl's books come to think of it) is pro-kid and anti-abusive grandparent, I didn't have an issue with reading this with to her.
It is a pretty slow moving book, because it is initially about the selection of ingredients and concoction of the medicine, but it moves quickly on to the implications of the medicine, and then attempts to recreate the medicine.
4 stars.
April 19, 2025
داستان شگفتانگیز دال!
مثل همیشه جادویی و بامزه. و ایکاش منم ازین داروهای جادویی داشتم و آدمهای غرغرو و از خود راضی رو یکییکی محو میکردم؛)
مثل همیشه جادویی و بامزه. و ایکاش منم ازین داروهای جادویی داشتم و آدمهای غرغرو و از خود راضی رو یکییکی محو میکردم؛)
February 23, 2023
Read in protest of ridiculous "sensitivity" changes made by money-grubbing English-language publisher (Puffin/Penguin Random House) and new rightsholders (i.e., Netflix, as the Dahl estate abdicated all responsibility while coincidentally discovering nearly $700 million on their bank statement).
First the review: this is a wicked and wonderful book - just brilliant. Quentin Blake's illustrations are (as usual) spot-on. Now for the rant.
One thing I have noticed when perusing the hundreds of silly changes made in the books (originally reported by the Daily Telegraph) is that many of them absolutely destroy clever things like alliteration, which is something that Dahl employed brilliantly.
For example, in this book Grandma (who has been made gigantic through the Marvelous Medicine) hurls epithets at her family (who have remained normal size) and uses the phrase "miserable midgets" (p.61) which has now been changed to "miserable bunch" and later, after she has been shrunk, says "How would you feel if you'd been a glorious giant a minute ago and suddenly you're a miserable midget" (p.86), in which "a miserable midget" has been changed to "almost invisible." In the first case, the revision misses the crucial distinction of size, and in both cases they lose the alliteration (yet "glorious giant" remains, without its balancing partner - this is basic rhetoric and the "editors" don't get it).
Clearly, alliteration is important in this book. It's all over the place - and just look at the title! Other instances of the literary device have also been destroyed: "horny hand" (in fact, it's "huge horny hand" on p.80) is apparently now "wrinkly hand" - which is not at all the same thing. And "the skinny old hag's head" (p.84) is just "her skinny old head." "Frisky as a ferret" has twice been changed (pp.60 & 63), first to "lively as a ferret," and the second instead makes reference to "a new lease of life." Ugh. Elsewhere a reference to George's father's "huge head" (p.49) has been removed. All fictional heads must be the same size, or if they are not, we can't possibly mention anything about the distinction. I mean, just imagine what might ensue if we didn't do this.
On p.10, we are told George hated "that horrid old witchy woman" because on pp.8-9 Grandma has creepily told him, "Some of us have magic powers that can twist the creatures of this earth into wondrous shapes...." and other similar things. However, the revisions kill the alliteration, removing the entirely apt word "witchy." Just dumb.
But it's not just alliteration that suffers. When George is out collecting animal medicine, he finds a bottle for "cows, bulls and bullocks" and (quite wittily, I think) refers to Grandma as "that grumpy old cow in the living room." (p.24) See what he did there? Well, apparently the bowdlerizers did not see, because that whole phrase has been replaced with just "Grandma" instead. On p.58, when George and his father are "running around and getting excited about the enormous animals," the father says, "Don't listen to the old goat," meaning Grandma. But again, a clever and relevant animal reference has been removed and she is instead "the old grump." Dumb again.
I also note that the ignorant idiots removed reference to "bullocks" (p.63) - probably because they don't know the difference between that word and "bollocks." Dumb and dumber.
Of course, there are other examples of stupidity, such as removing evidence of ownership ostensibly due to sexist stereotypes (on p.29, "his father's toolshed" is now just "the toolshed" and on p.18, "Mummy's dressing table" is now "the dressing table"). Now really - who's to say that father doesn't have an entirely separate dressing table or that Mummy doesn't have her own toolshed? How very insensitive to make such sexist assumptions that this couldn't be the case! Or is it that all property must be collectively owned? "His father was a farmer" (p.1, again note the alliteration) has been changed to "His parents were farmers" (note the lack of alliteration) - but why on earth are we assuming that his mother is also a farmer? Isn't that kind of patriarchical that the mother would need to do the same thing as the father? Why couldn't his mother be an author or even a top scientist? This smacks of more sexism. "Mummy's as stupid as you are" (p.6) has been changed to "Mummy and Daddy are as stupid as you are" - thanks for the egalitarian tarring with a broad brush. Apparently there is just no hope for Daddy. If he's got a stupid wife, he must be stupid himself. All people are exactly the same. I guess this is that equity thing I keep hearing about.
BTW, I also note that in their incompetence, the vandals actually left in several references to an "aerosol can" (pp.16 & 18). What child in this day and age has ever seen an aerosol spray can of deodorant? For heaven's sake, think of the children - and the ozone layer!
And just so you don't think that all the changes are just inconsequential bits that don't affect the overall story at all, the last two pages have had large and important chunks completely removed.
After Grandma entirely disappears, we are told, "'That's what happens to you if you're grumpy and bad-tempered,' said Mr. Kranky. 'Great medicine of yours, George.'" (Grandma was George's father's mother-in-law, so you know.)
As one might expect, George's mother is more concerned, confusedly wondering what has happened, "But she calmed down quite quickly. And by lunchtime, she was saying, 'Ah well, I suppose it's all for the best, really. She was a bit of a nuisance around the house, wasn't she?'
"'Yes," Mr. Kransky said. 'She most certainly was.'" (pp.88-9)
Both of those quoted passages are gone. Simply gone. The following four sentences remain unchanged: "George didn't say a word. He felt quite trembly. He knew something tremendous had taken place that morning. For a few brief moments he had touched with the very tips of his fingers the edge of a magic world." - but this wordless reaction is NOT to his parents' shrugging and accepting response to the elimination of Grandma from the world, but rather to the much earlier puzzled reaction by his mother ("Mrs. Kransky kept wandering around with a puzzled look on her face, saying, 'Mother, where are you? Where've you gone? Where've you got to? How can I find you?'")
So it changes things entirely. The new version is NOT the same book as the old one. Be sure to grab the real book while you still can. Accept no substitutes.
First the review: this is a wicked and wonderful book - just brilliant. Quentin Blake's illustrations are (as usual) spot-on. Now for the rant.
One thing I have noticed when perusing the hundreds of silly changes made in the books (originally reported by the Daily Telegraph) is that many of them absolutely destroy clever things like alliteration, which is something that Dahl employed brilliantly.
For example, in this book Grandma (who has been made gigantic through the Marvelous Medicine) hurls epithets at her family (who have remained normal size) and uses the phrase "miserable midgets" (p.61) which has now been changed to "miserable bunch" and later, after she has been shrunk, says "How would you feel if you'd been a glorious giant a minute ago and suddenly you're a miserable midget" (p.86), in which "a miserable midget" has been changed to "almost invisible." In the first case, the revision misses the crucial distinction of size, and in both cases they lose the alliteration (yet "glorious giant" remains, without its balancing partner - this is basic rhetoric and the "editors" don't get it).
Clearly, alliteration is important in this book. It's all over the place - and just look at the title! Other instances of the literary device have also been destroyed: "horny hand" (in fact, it's "huge horny hand" on p.80) is apparently now "wrinkly hand" - which is not at all the same thing. And "the skinny old hag's head" (p.84) is just "her skinny old head." "Frisky as a ferret" has twice been changed (pp.60 & 63), first to "lively as a ferret," and the second instead makes reference to "a new lease of life." Ugh. Elsewhere a reference to George's father's "huge head" (p.49) has been removed. All fictional heads must be the same size, or if they are not, we can't possibly mention anything about the distinction. I mean, just imagine what might ensue if we didn't do this.
On p.10, we are told George hated "that horrid old witchy woman" because on pp.8-9 Grandma has creepily told him, "Some of us have magic powers that can twist the creatures of this earth into wondrous shapes...." and other similar things. However, the revisions kill the alliteration, removing the entirely apt word "witchy." Just dumb.
But it's not just alliteration that suffers. When George is out collecting animal medicine, he finds a bottle for "cows, bulls and bullocks" and (quite wittily, I think) refers to Grandma as "that grumpy old cow in the living room." (p.24) See what he did there? Well, apparently the bowdlerizers did not see, because that whole phrase has been replaced with just "Grandma" instead. On p.58, when George and his father are "running around and getting excited about the enormous animals," the father says, "Don't listen to the old goat," meaning Grandma. But again, a clever and relevant animal reference has been removed and she is instead "the old grump." Dumb again.
I also note that the ignorant idiots removed reference to "bullocks" (p.63) - probably because they don't know the difference between that word and "bollocks." Dumb and dumber.
Of course, there are other examples of stupidity, such as removing evidence of ownership ostensibly due to sexist stereotypes (on p.29, "his father's toolshed" is now just "the toolshed" and on p.18, "Mummy's dressing table" is now "the dressing table"). Now really - who's to say that father doesn't have an entirely separate dressing table or that Mummy doesn't have her own toolshed? How very insensitive to make such sexist assumptions that this couldn't be the case! Or is it that all property must be collectively owned? "His father was a farmer" (p.1, again note the alliteration) has been changed to "His parents were farmers" (note the lack of alliteration) - but why on earth are we assuming that his mother is also a farmer? Isn't that kind of patriarchical that the mother would need to do the same thing as the father? Why couldn't his mother be an author or even a top scientist? This smacks of more sexism. "Mummy's as stupid as you are" (p.6) has been changed to "Mummy and Daddy are as stupid as you are" - thanks for the egalitarian tarring with a broad brush. Apparently there is just no hope for Daddy. If he's got a stupid wife, he must be stupid himself. All people are exactly the same. I guess this is that equity thing I keep hearing about.
BTW, I also note that in their incompetence, the vandals actually left in several references to an "aerosol can" (pp.16 & 18). What child in this day and age has ever seen an aerosol spray can of deodorant? For heaven's sake, think of the children - and the ozone layer!
And just so you don't think that all the changes are just inconsequential bits that don't affect the overall story at all, the last two pages have had large and important chunks completely removed.
After Grandma entirely disappears, we are told, "'That's what happens to you if you're grumpy and bad-tempered,' said Mr. Kranky. 'Great medicine of yours, George.'" (Grandma was George's father's mother-in-law, so you know.)
As one might expect, George's mother is more concerned, confusedly wondering what has happened, "But she calmed down quite quickly. And by lunchtime, she was saying, 'Ah well, I suppose it's all for the best, really. She was a bit of a nuisance around the house, wasn't she?'
"'Yes," Mr. Kransky said. 'She most certainly was.'" (pp.88-9)
Both of those quoted passages are gone. Simply gone. The following four sentences remain unchanged: "George didn't say a word. He felt quite trembly. He knew something tremendous had taken place that morning. For a few brief moments he had touched with the very tips of his fingers the edge of a magic world." - but this wordless reaction is NOT to his parents' shrugging and accepting response to the elimination of Grandma from the world, but rather to the much earlier puzzled reaction by his mother ("Mrs. Kransky kept wandering around with a puzzled look on her face, saying, 'Mother, where are you? Where've you gone? Where've you got to? How can I find you?'")
So it changes things entirely. The new version is NOT the same book as the old one. Be sure to grab the real book while you still can. Accept no substitutes.
December 26, 2015
Well this was quick and quirky. I hope that this kid doesn't go into the medical field. He's far too willing to use dangerous stuff in his "medicines". I mean, engine oil and anti-freeze are fine, but flowers of turnips? What is he trying to do? Kill someone??
Wait.
I'm not sure what the moral of this story is... 8 year olds can't be trusted with responsibility because they'll muck it all up? Or Grandmothers should only be nice or they deserve to be set on fire, inflated, super-stretched and then shrunk to nothing?
Pretty sure it's that last one.
Wait.
I'm not sure what the moral of this story is... 8 year olds can't be trusted with responsibility because they'll muck it all up? Or Grandmothers should only be nice or they deserve to be set on fire, inflated, super-stretched and then shrunk to nothing?
Pretty sure it's that last one.
January 9, 2021
Wow did this book make my kid laugh. The opening is classic Roald Dahl awful adults being awful to kids, but after George gets going, it gets great. Though uh, I really hope my kid doesn't try to mix weird chemicals to make magic medicine. Hm.
February 7, 2017
نخندید به من. بالاخره باید کتابهایی که تو بچگی نخوندهم رو یه جوری جبران کنم دیگه :)))
December 27, 2022
✩ 3.5 stars
August 20, 2022
چقدر دارک بود داستانش! :))
August 24, 2015
Never grow up...always down.
I can safely say that Roald Dahl is the best children's books author. The way he pulls you into the story will never cease to amaze me.
The only reason I'm giving this book 4 stars is because I've enjoyed Matilda and The Witches a little more. This still is a great book, that I've finished in a heartbeat, and I'm sure I'll re-read it again more than once.
I can safely say that Roald Dahl is the best children's books author. The way he pulls you into the story will never cease to amaze me.
The only reason I'm giving this book 4 stars is because I've enjoyed Matilda and The Witches a little more. This still is a great book, that I've finished in a heartbeat, and I'm sure I'll re-read it again more than once.
September 26, 2021
George has the misfortune of being charged with caring for his unpleasant Grandma while his Mother is out at the shops.
Will the intimated George find his revenge for her wicked ways when it’s time to dose out her daily medicine?
Listen to my dramatic reading of Chapter 1 - 2 at the Peachy Books blog post here.
Will the intimated George find his revenge for her wicked ways when it’s time to dose out her daily medicine?
Listen to my dramatic reading of Chapter 1 - 2 at the Peachy Books blog post here.
January 12, 2011
The funniest thing about this book is the dedication page. "This book is for doctors everywhere." Ha! Roald Dahl was such a cheeky devil.
George is stuck at home alone with his mean, scary, and very demanding grandma. He's supposed to give her medicine at eleven o'clock. Instead of giving her the usual medicine, he concocts a replacement batch, hoping it will improve Grandma's disposition. To create his "Marvelous Medicine," George throws in absolutely everything he can find around the house. Shaving soap, hair remover, dandruff cure, laundry soap, flea powder, shoe polish, black pepper, horseradish sauce, animal pills, curry powder, deodorant spray, brown paint...EVERYTHING.
The medicine doesn't make Grandma any nicer, but it DOES have a remarkable effect on her, and on every creature they give it to. George's dad wants him to make another batch, but there's a problem. George didn't write down the recipe. So every new batch he tries is missing something, and has a different effect when they test it on the farm animals.
Batch Number Four solves the Grandma problem permanently. The way it does so makes the book's dedication especially funny.
George is stuck at home alone with his mean, scary, and very demanding grandma. He's supposed to give her medicine at eleven o'clock. Instead of giving her the usual medicine, he concocts a replacement batch, hoping it will improve Grandma's disposition. To create his "Marvelous Medicine," George throws in absolutely everything he can find around the house. Shaving soap, hair remover, dandruff cure, laundry soap, flea powder, shoe polish, black pepper, horseradish sauce, animal pills, curry powder, deodorant spray, brown paint...EVERYTHING.
The medicine doesn't make Grandma any nicer, but it DOES have a remarkable effect on her, and on every creature they give it to. George's dad wants him to make another batch, but there's a problem. George didn't write down the recipe. So every new batch he tries is missing something, and has a different effect when they test it on the farm animals.
Batch Number Four solves the Grandma problem permanently. The way it does so makes the book's dedication especially funny.
July 6, 2021
I told my 7 year old what the book was about and next thing I knew we went through it together laughing the whole way. This is one of the shorter Dahl books, but I felt like it was the perfect length for the story. Good of them to add a "Do not try this at home" warning at the beginning. Not as amazing as Dahl's other timeless classics, but it was a lot of fun.
May 6, 2016
What's not to love about a Roald Dahl book? Loved the part with the grandma but it lost a little steam after that. Still liked it enough to make it a book club selection with some of my 4th graders.
May 26, 2022
این کتاب رو خیلی وقت پیش خونده بودم الان دیدمش گفتم یه چیزی بنویسم و بذارمش تو فقسه گوریدز :)) داستان پسر بچه کوچیک که از دست مادربزرگ غرغرو و بداخلاقش در عذابه و نهایتا یه دارویی درست میکنه و به جای داروی اصلی به مادر بزرگ میده. طنز جالبی داره ولی اگه بچه دارید ترجیحا نذارید بخونه.ه
جمله ب طلایی کتاب : عاقبت آدمهای بداخلاق و غرغرو همین میشود
جمله ب طلایی کتاب : عاقبت آدمهای بداخلاق و غرغرو همین میشود
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