It can be pretty graphically brutal at times and there is no shortage of good "people" suffering, which I think tends to turn some people off. There is also a strong allegorical religious/spiritual context that may not mesh with some people's views. But once you accept the initial positing of sentient "anthropomorphic" moles, it all plays out in a very natural way.

I liked it so much that I bought "James and the Giant Peach: A play" adapted by Richard George. It's really cool with "Easy-to-make costumes"!
Unfortunately, none of my friends wants to take part in the play.