Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a children's novel written by British author Roald Dahl. First published in 1964, it has become one of his most popular works and has been adapted into several films, plays, musicals, video games, and other media. The story follows four children as they embark on an adventure through a magical chocolate factory owned by eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka. Along their journey, they encounter all sorts of fantastical characters and creatures while learning valuable lessons about friendship, humility, perseverance, kindness to others and even the dangers of greed.
The book is widely praised for its imaginative world-building that transcends age groups; young readers can enjoy its whimsical adventures, while older ones appreciate its deeper themes. In fact, Time magazine named it one of "the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005." With its memorable cast of characters such as Augustus Gloop or Veruca Salt alongside iconic locations like the Great Glass Elevator or Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers Machine Room, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remains a timeless classic that continues to delight generations today with new film adaptations coming out in 2021 starring actor Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka himself.