Cheap Fantastic Mr. Fox (Young Puffin Books) Discount Review Shop
I read this book as a child and have recently read it again some 20 years later and I have never realized the subversive themes implied in the text. Roald Dahl often wrote disgusting and morbid stories to get his readers to wince at the descriptions, Fantastic Mr. Fox is surprisingly light on the disgusting after the third chapter. Instead Dahl invents a hero who steals from the "rich" "crooks" of Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. He ends his great adventure with a large feast where he shares his food with all of the other ecological refugees caused by the insatiable rage of the farmers.
The major theme of the work, as it appears obvious to me, is that socialism is good and capitalism is inherently bad. I know other apologists of capitalism will say I am reading too much into it. I would say they aren't reading enough into it, which is OK. The capitalists are all ill-formed rich farmers who have perverted appetites and lack all sorts of moderation.
If, as a parent, you wish to raise your child with the idea that taking from the haves and sharing with the have-nots is a good thing, then I highly recommend this book. Fox is a fantastic model of sharing and values. This little book offers a lot to a young reader, especially a good story. But I don't think they will understand the themes until later.
Cheap "Fantastic Mr. Fox (Young Puffin Books)" Discount Review Shop
