Roald Dahl Day alert
There’s a lot to thank Roald Dahl for. He’s one of the most well-loved and indeed well respected writers the world has ever known. He’s also the one that has furnished much of my childhood dreams and my adult nightmares!
The great man himself sadly died in 1990 but his legacy will live on for ever. It’s Roald Dahl Day on September 13th so in readiness:
Roald Dahl
Think of Matilda
I read this when young and immediately wanted to be her. Reading books all day long, pretending I was her when off to the library. Wanting to be Sophie when I was lying in bed and see the Big Friendly Giant peek into my window.
Wishing every time I opened a chocolate bar that I would see a golden ticket. Ah my childhood was much more adventurous because of him!
Tales of the Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected
Why I love his books and stories for adults too.
Who remembers this? (Who feels old right now?)
That opening scene when he’s sitting by the roaring fire and introducing the story you’re about to see.
Roald Dahl books
Read more about the Roald Dahl Books here
LUST
These stories are about emotions of lust and desire so you can expect a fair bit of racy content. The fact is thought that it bubbles under the surface and then shocks you when you least expect it. The story Neck for example had me rubbing my neck nervously for weeks!
The Visitor
Even the name is enough for me to want to read this one. Who is it? Where are they and what do they want? This tells the tale of Oswald who becomes stranded for a night near Cairo at the mansion . He stays for the night and plans to seduce either the wife or the daughter. The denouement of this tale is deliciously dark.
DECEPTION
Lamb to the Slaughter
My favourite ever Roald Dahl Short story appears here. Lamb to the Slaughter. Clever as it’s so simply done and revolves around a wife whose husband admits to having an affair. Later that night, he’s found murdered. Ooh I feel squeamish even just thinking about this. Brilliant TV adaptation but I read this one every now and again as I think it shows just how powerful a simple short story can be.
Parson’s Pleasure and The Umbrella Man
Two stories about men who think they can trick others. Difficult to review or say anymore without giving it away! In Parson’s Pleasure, a man of the cloth decides to go looking for expensive furniture to buy from old houses without explaining what he’s really up to….and the Umbrella Man….well I could imagine someone doing this! I applauded the first one and smiled at the second. Very very clever!
CRUELTY
The story named poison – a man has to lie very still in bed in a hot foreign country as he’s found a poisonous snake lying on his stomach under the sheets. The tension in this story and the fact that you never see the snake in the TV show really ramps up the sweaty atmosphere. The tension is there from the very first line. You imagine the worst and I was on tenterhooks throughout! Not sure how my nerves too it to be honest. They certainly wouldn’t if I ever met a real snake!
Mrs Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat
A woman is having an affair with a man who gives her a fur coat. She has to pawn it so her husband doesn’t find out….. Well in the world of Roald Dahl, of course it’s not as simple as that.
Skin
My favourite in this book – A man has a painting tattooed onto his back. Years later, it turns out that it was done by a very famous artist. Of course no people want to talk to him and see it. The man becomes a show of sorts….then well,…..I watch Tattoo Fixers nowadays from behind the sofa.
MADNESS
The Landlady is the best example of this. Or is it evil genius? Read it and then watch the TV version. The landlady in a B and B is not the timid old lady you think she is. Made me afraid to go to a B and B for a long time afterwards. And I never have stayed in one in Bath….
Read more about the Roald Dahl Books here
Thank you Roald Dahl for the memories, the sleepless nights and the sheer enjoyment of your magical stories for both children and adults.
