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Roald Dahl

Born

in Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales, The United Kingdom

September 13, 1916

Died

November 23, 1990

Website

https://www.roalddahl.com/

Genre

Children's Books, Literature & Fiction, Short Stories

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Roald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his story Roald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations. ...more

Combine Editions
Roald Dahl’s books

Average rating: 4.15 · 4,864,045 ratings · 151,025 reviews · 1,534 distinct works • Similar authors

	Matilda 4.34 avg rating — 1,142,633 ratings — published 1988 — 541 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Charlie Bucket, #1) by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator) 4.17 avg rating — 947,940 ratings — published 1964 — 278 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The BFG 4.23 avg rating — 538,288 ratings — published 1982 — 419 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	James and the Giant Peach 4.04 avg rating — 526,214 ratings — published 1961 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Witches 4.18 avg rating — 435,932 ratings — published 1983 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Twits by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator) 3.96 avg rating — 157,411 ratings — published 1980 — 286 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator) 4.08 avg rating — 151,553 ratings — published 1970 — 360 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (Charlie Bucket, #2) by Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrations) 3.67 avg rating — 122,580 ratings — published 1972 — 311 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	George's Marvellous Medicine 4.02 avg rating — 101,788 ratings — published 1981 — 261 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Boy: Tales of Childhood (Roald Dahl's Autobiography, #1) 4.07 avg rating — 75,135 ratings — published 1984 — 185 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Roald Dahl…

Series by Roald Dahl

Charlie Bucket (2 books)
by

Roald Dahl,

Quentin Blake (Illustrations)

4.11 avg rating — 1,077,672 ratings

Roald Dahl's Autobiography (3 books)
by

Roald Dahl,

Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

4.08 avg rating — 114,891 ratings

Tales Of (8 books)
by

Roald Dahl

3.73 avg rating — 9,091 ratings

Revolting Recipes (9 books)
by

Roald Dahl,

Quentin Blake (illustrator)

3.96 avg rating — 3,757 ratings

Roald Dahl's Short Stories (2 books)
by

Roald Dahl

4.21 avg rating — 1,960 ratings

More series by Roald Dahl…

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Polls

November 2015 New School Classics Group Read

1982, Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally, 429 pages

25 votes, 17.7%

1988, Matilda by Roald Dahl, 240 pages

22 votes, 15.6%

1997, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, 434 pages

16 votes, 11.3%

1930, As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, 267 pages

14 votes, 9.9%

1988, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, 197 pages

13 votes, 9.2%

1987, Beloved by Toni Morrison, 324 pages

11 votes, 7.8%

1932, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons, 233 pages

8 votes, 5.7%

1957, The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino, 217 pages

7 votes, 5.0%

1989, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, 288 pages

6 votes, 4.3%

1959, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, 160 pages

4 votes, 2.8%

1940, The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene, 222 pages

4 votes, 2.8%

1949, The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles, 342 pages

3 votes, 2.1%

1932, The Radetzky March by Joseph Roth, 352 pages

3 votes, 2.1%

1928, Quicksand by Nella Larsen, 192 pages

2 votes, 1.4%

1939, Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo, 243 pages

2 votes, 1.4%

1931, The Road Back by Erich Maria Remarque, 352 pages

1 vote, 0.7%

1997, Out by Natsuo Kirino, 400 pages

0 votes, 0.0%

1974, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard, 288 pages

0 votes, 0.0%

141 total votes

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