Esio Trot

okay, so a few days ago I was talking about this book to someone and I recalled it as a “sweet silly book about a loner shy old man and a bunch of tortoises”. The last time I read this book was waayyy back in sixth grade, in a galaxy far far away.
As a 23-year-old now, I reread this book today (i was stuck in a bookstore due to rain, no I am not complaining) and needless to say, I don't feel the same way about the book now.
Yes, I empathise with the protagonist and his silly adorkable way to win his neighbour over but the whole “lie, steal and deceive the one you love to win affection” as a romantic gesture is something I just can't condone. The whole cutsy “I'll be your slave forever if you help Alfie grow” is just problematic. And before you come yelling “it is for kidss! you lefty calm down, pffff”, no, it's 2019 and we really need to be teaching them better and honestly speaking there are a lot more good books out there (by Roald Dahl himself) that make for a more wholesome read. Also, if there is something I have learnt from the reading of exception authors is to never treat any genre or any audience lightly. Kids are just as serious audience to be respected as grown-ups so work for them should abide by the same standards.
Did I enjoy my hit of nostalgia? Yes, very much but also gave me an idea of how I have grown and how those ideas are better off changed.