Roald Dahl Teller of the unexpected : a biography

Matthew Dennison

Book - 2023

"From one of our finest literary biographers comes a brilliant biography of Roald Dahl: the much-loved author and creator of countless iconic literary characters. Roald Dahl was one of the world's greatest storytellers. He conceived his vocation as that of any fearless explorer and, in his writing for children, he was able to tap into a child's viewpoint throughout his life. He crafted tales that were exotic in scenario, frequently invested with a moral, and filled with vibrant characters that endure in public imagination to the present day. In this brand-new biography, Matthew Dennison re-evaluates the traditional narrative surrounding Dahl--that of school sporting hero, daredevil pilot, and wartime spy-turned-author--and ex...amines surviving primary resources as well as Dahl's extensive literary output to tell the story of a man who identified as a rule-breaker, an iconoclast, and a romantic--both insider and outsider, war hero and child's friend." --

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Subjects
Genres
Biographies
Published
New York, NY : Pegasus Books 2023.
Language
English
Main Author
Matthew Dennison (author)
Edition
First Pegasus Books cloth edition
Physical Description
264 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 22 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN
9781639363322
  • Introduction
  • I. 'Little Boy Blue'
  • II. Plodding, Endless Terms
  • III. Fit and Tough
  • IV. Stalky
  • V. The Perfect Spy?
  • VI. My Lady Love, My Dove
  • VII. Marvellous Medicine
  • VIII. Critical Condition
  • IX. Such Dazzling Loveliness
  • X. We So Loved Being With You
  • Endnotes
  • Image Credits
  • Bibliography
  • Index
Review by School Library Journal Review

The chronicler of Beatrix Potter and Kenneth Grahame turns to Roald Dahl (1916--1990) in his latest literary biography. Dennison presents the often divisive author as a man full of contradictions who believed the main purpose of his children's books is to turn kids into readers and not necessarily teach them a lesson. The book follows his journey as an ace pilot, husband, and father. Eventually, Dahl gains a reputation for his writing and turns to children's books in 1961 with the publication of James and the Giant Peach. Dennison is not shy about discussing Dahl's marital issues and reputation as a bully. The biographer is squarely on Dahl's side though, and some readers might be turned off by his sometimes gush-filled treatment of the subject. Also, Dennison briefly mentions some of the critiques about Dahl's anti-Semitism, thoughts on Israel, and his characterization of the Oompa-Loompas without judgment, which may doesn't sit well. VERDICT With the resurgence of Matilda's popularity, this biography will most likely find a home on most biography shelves for book-loving adults.--Shelley M. Diaz

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