James And The Giant Peach - Best Fantasy Story Ever

James and the Giant Peach Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to help you understand the book. This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Quotes and a free quiz about James and the giant fishing by Roald Dahl. James and the Giant Peach is the story of a young child who escapes an abusive home in a magical peach. On the way, he makes new buddies, and discovers the joys of freedom and friendship, which had previously been alien ideas to him. In the opening of the novel, James is living with his two horrible aunts after an accident at the zoo claimed the lives of both his parents. 

Upon moving in with his aunts, James life of abuse begins immediately. His aunts treat him terribly, forcing him to work all day long, denying him any buddies or schooling, and calling him names. James is terribly surprised then, when he finds a mysterious old man hidden in the bushes. The man gives James a bag full of magic beans and warns him to be cautious with them as they're incredibly powerful. While he's running back to his house, James trips and spills the beans in his Aunts garden. The beans instantly burrow their way in the ground and produce an enormous peach on top of the peach tree. 

When no one is around, James sneaks up to the peach and finds a magical tunnel there. He climbs inside and is greeted by a host of giant insects, including a Grasshopper, a Ladybug, a Spider, and a Centipede. Throughout their journey, these insects become James closest friends. After chewing throughout the vine that connects the peach to the tree, the travellers are off, rolling down the massive hill to the sea. After the travellers reach the sea, their troubles begin. 

First, the peach is attacked by a flock of hungry sharks. James uses his quick thinking to invent a plan utilizing the Earthworm as bait to lure seagulls close to the peach so he can lasso them for their flying power. When James has successfully captured 501 seagulls, the peach is lifted out from the water to the safety of the skies. The travellers good luck doesn't last long, however, when Centipede is accidentally knocked off the side of the peach and James must jump overboard to find him again. Later, Centipede insults the frightening Cloud Men, who retaliate by pelting the travellers with home made hailstones. After their encounter with the Cloud Men, the travellers safely reach New York where they land and are welcomed with an enormous parade. Upon arriving in New York, each one of the travellers leads a life of wealth and success.