They Shall Not Grow Old

by Roald Dahl

They Shall Not Grow Old is a short, gripping story of life in wartime from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale.

In They Shall Not Grow Old, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells of a pilot who goes missing for two days and the strange tale he eventually reveals on his return . . .

They Shall Not Grow Old is taken from the short story collection Over to You, which includes nine other dramatic and terrifying tales of life as a wartime fighter pilot, and is drawn from Dahl's own experiences during the Second World War.

This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by Cillian Murphy.

Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.

Genres: Short Stories, Audiobook, Fiction

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2012

About the author

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.

Reviews

[itchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

29november2019

read as part of the collection over to you: ten stories of flyers and flying.

[phoebe]

so poignant and touching. love it 🫶

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD by Roald Dahl
This is good - mystery, empathy, faith, paranormal, yet grounded in a reality. There is a sweetness to this story.
"I'm a lucky bastard," he was saying. "A lucky, lucky bastard." ***

[Susanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Paddy's machine was hit. As we wheeled for the second run we saw his Hurricane wing gently over and dive straight to the ground at the edge of the aerodrome. There was a great billow of white smoke as it hit, then the flames, and as the flames spread the smoke turned from white to black and Paddy was with it."

Another story within a story. A WWII pilot in Haifa has a mystical experience while on a reconnaissance mission, seeing pilots lined up and flying towards a glorious death.

I expected more bittersweetness based on the title, so I was a little disappointed.

I read this as part of my goal to read more short stories in 2024.

[James Biser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a pilot who went missing for a day. When he returned and past some time of reflection, he revealed a story that was reminiscent of a near death experience. His friends could not disbelieve his strange tale, nor could they “ officially” claim it to be a true story.

[Yusso · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about Fin's spiritualist visions of the afterlife and how he -and probably Roald Dahl- thinks death is a good thing that brings much deserved peace.

" 'I'm a lucky bastard,' he was saying. 'A lucky, lucky bastard.' "

[chloé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this audiobook purely because Cillian Murphy was narrating. I did not realize this was a war story. For some reason I love war stories and I loved this one. (also Cillian needs to narrate more, he’s got an incredible voice.)

[Garth Mailman · Rating 4 out of 5]

They Shall Not Grow Old
Roald Dahl

There’s a paranormal aspect to this tale. A pilot seemingly sees his own death in advance of the event.

Although more famous for his books for children Dahl flew during WW#2 and that experience inspires this tale.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. I could picture everything. Could feel his experience from his time as pilot. It all came together in a justified way. Amazing read.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Haunting. Poetic

[Diane Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short story of a pilot in the war who went missing for a day & his subsequent tale. Fascinating & a lovely quick read.

[Suhasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook narrated by Cillian Murphy.

[Mayumi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esse conto cria imagens muito bonitas que eu estranhei quando vi e lembrei de outra história de guerra que contém exatamente a mesma imagem.

O filme Porco Rosso do Studio Ghibli, dirigido por Hayao Miyazaki, tem exatamente a mesma imagem dos pilotos de caças mortos em combate pilotando seus aviões em direção ao céu, e o personagem que nos conta essa cena também acaba vendo seus colegas indo mas não vai junto.

[Amrita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was an experience. An inexplicably beautiful experience...

[Vincent Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short story and my first introduction to Dahl's work. A pilot in the air force takes a plane out for what he thinks is a brief period of time, only to find that he's been gone for longer than he had thought. Can't say too much more without spoilers, but it's worth a read, and up on YouTube in audio format to check out.

[Courtney Schafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the continuation of characters from Katina. Did not care for the ending.

[Brave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried. At a short story. This is the only one I've ever cried at (I believe)