The Witches (1990) Roald Dahl, Anjelica Huston, Rowan Atkinson, Nicolas Roeg, Jim Henson

Book Vs. Movie: The Witches <br />Roald Dahl’s 1983 Children’s Novel Vs. the 1990 Nicolas Roeg Cult Classic Film<br /><br />The Margos finish October’s month of spooky books and movies with 1983’s The Witches by Roald Dahl (a favorite of this podcast!) This is one of his last works before his death in 1990 and is based on his love for his mother, Sofie Dahl. Stephen Roxburgh edited the work, and Quentin Blake’s illustrations received great praise at the time though the story was thought to be “misogynistic.” It’s now known as a modern classic. <br /><br />The story of an unnamed boy who lives with his Norweigian grandmother after his parents are killed and learns about witches who are ALL female and eat children is---intense. He learns that witches all over the world behave differently and that his being sent to an English school might make him vulnerable to the Grand Vulnerable High Witch of All the World. <br /><br />The story has kids turning into mice, magic potions, wigs, pea soup, and so much more weirdness, and an ending that might be more off-putting than encouraging. <br /><br />Nicolas Roeg directed the 1990 film that was considered a box office disappointment because it had a different ending than the book (happier, which Dahl completely hated and should not be a surprise considering what we knew about him) but is now considered a classic. <br /><br />Between the 1983 novel and 1990--which did we like better? You have to listen to find out!!<br /><br />This episode is sponsored by Kensington Books and A Ghost in Shining Armor, the novel by Therese Beharrie.<br /><br />ROM-COM WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC: This Cape Town-set rom-com is the second in <br />a duology about two South African sisters who were separated as children when one <br />was adopted and the other went into foster care. After reuniting as adults, they learn <br />they’ve each developed unique abilities. The previous book focused on the sister who can manifest her dreams. This book revolves around Gemma, who can see and <br />communicate wi