Roald Dahl’s books have a sense of the macabre to them, yet beneath the darkness there is always a sense of hope that the dark times will pass. We take a look at some of our favourite books of his.
Matilda:
If there was ever a book character that I most wanted to be growing up it was Matilda. She loved books, had great courage and mischief that I wanted to replicate as a child. While on the surface, it is fun filled with pranks it is also a story of loneliness and rejection that ends on a lovely note filled with love and happiness after the darkness passes. It is just a joy to read – even as an adult.
Boy: The Tales of Childhood:
It really is impossible to resist the mischievousness of this collection of stories focusing on Roadl Dahl’s childhood and there is plenty of laughter and affection along the way!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:
Chocolate has its own magical power as anyone who loves chocolate knows, yet it is the way in which sweet treats are used to teach important lessons (yes some of which are quite dark) that add to a fairytale quality to this Roald Dahl book. As always, he understood that children are quite resilient and had no fear of putting darker aspects to the story in his novels. Here, themes of poverty, greed and selfishness are explored with ease while ensuring that the character Charlie highlights all the positive aspects of humanity to offer a little hope.
Fantastic Mr Fox:
Once again a story of mischief and survival lies at the centre of this Roald Dahl book. It follows the adventures of Mr Fox and how he manages to outwit local farmers Boggis, Bean and Bunce with his schemes. It is really delightful from start to finish.
Revolting Rhymes:
Just when you thought that fairytales couldn’t get any darker, Roald Dahl then came up with his own versions which are as delightfully dark and grim as you would hope for a child. From Cinderella to Jack & the Beanstalk, each story really enhances just how dark the original stories are but with a hint of humour to ensure that children are enthralled from start to finish.
The Enormous Crocodile:
Probably one of the first Roald Dahl books that children experience, I loved the way in which the animals thwart the nasty enormous crocodile to such gleeful effect! There is just such a joy in the way in which the story unfolds.
James and the Giant Peach:
If there is a story in which I really wonder how the concept came about it is this one! There is a Cinderella aspect to the the story (i.e a peach instead of a pumpkin being key to the adventures as well as the evil step aunts). The vividness of the adventures that the characters go through really capture the imagination as do the characters themselves.
The BFG:
The level of imagination that Dahl went to in creating the characters and scenarios for each book is really unmatched and it really is on display in The BFG in particular with language including: snozzcumbers, scrumdiddlyumptious and frobscottle to name a few! Yes it is horrifying and scary in many moments but once again it shows the power of what one person can achieve in standing against bullies – even if they are giants!