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The Great Switcheroo
Stories in the Travelman Short Stories series take the reader to places of mystery, fantasy, horror, romance, and corners of the universe yet unexplored. In turn, readers take them on the bus or subway, slip them into briefcases and lunchboxes, and send them from Jersey to Juneau. Each classic or original short story is printed on one sheet of paper and folded like a map. This makes it simple to read while commuting, convenient to carry when not, and easy to give or send to a friend. A paper envelope is provided for mailing or gift-giving, and both are packaged in a clear plastic envelope for display. The cost is not much more than a greeting card.
24 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1985
6 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,508 books27k followersRoald 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 28, 2019
This was a disturbingly lighthearted rape story.
November 29, 2019
29november2019
read as part of the collection switch bitch.
read as part of the collection switch bitch.
September 28, 2016
tw: rape
I honestly don't really know if I had any impressions going into this: I knew it was a Roald Dahl Playboy short story, and I knew (from the discussion questions) that it was definitely different than his previous works. That said, even though I don't remember his works that I read as a child all too well, this was pretty disappointing.
The style I was fine with: it's easy to read, and interesting enough. Dahl knows how to tell a story and how to keep a reader hooked, which is great. He had that under his belt, and it really showed in his success.
On the other hand, this reminded me way too much of John Updike's A&P: Lust in the Aisles: fine to read, but the content was awful. Part of me is still holding out that there's some twist we're supposed to get, and that this is actually subverting rape culture, but since it was written in the 70s, I'm betting it isn't.
Based on the fact that every woman in the story is a cardboard cutout, revolving around the men, I don't think Dahl is suggesting that the women knew the entire time. He doesn't put any effort into characterizing any of them, outside making sure we know the wives are nagging in contrast to their sexually frustrated husbands. With that in mind, it's obvious that the story is about the men deceiving their wives, and how they get away with it, and how it's oh-so-clever.
I could simply say this wasn't my thing, but this story isn't about what isn't "politically correct" or about "making a statement." It's misogynistic, and it promotes rape by deception. I hope modern day readers recognize the harm in that.
I honestly don't really know if I had any impressions going into this: I knew it was a Roald Dahl Playboy short story, and I knew (from the discussion questions) that it was definitely different than his previous works. That said, even though I don't remember his works that I read as a child all too well, this was pretty disappointing.
The style I was fine with: it's easy to read, and interesting enough. Dahl knows how to tell a story and how to keep a reader hooked, which is great. He had that under his belt, and it really showed in his success.
On the other hand, this reminded me way too much of John Updike's A&P: Lust in the Aisles: fine to read, but the content was awful. Part of me is still holding out that there's some twist we're supposed to get, and that this is actually subverting rape culture, but since it was written in the 70s, I'm betting it isn't.
Based on the fact that every woman in the story is a cardboard cutout, revolving around the men, I don't think Dahl is suggesting that the women knew the entire time. He doesn't put any effort into characterizing any of them, outside making sure we know the wives are nagging in contrast to their sexually frustrated husbands. With that in mind, it's obvious that the story is about the men deceiving their wives, and how they get away with it, and how it's oh-so-clever.
I could simply say this wasn't my thing, but this story isn't about what isn't "politically correct" or about "making a statement." It's misogynistic, and it promotes rape by deception. I hope modern day readers recognize the harm in that.
January 30, 2016
This is my first Roald Dahl book and I'm sold. It was extremely entertaining and the narrators really put life into each character. It's a funny tale of two men who end up accomplishing something unheard of and getting away with it! Loved it.
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November 9, 2016Uhhh Gross. Get consent.
November 8, 2024
iskah po-golqm plot twist primerno da se nasere ot strah kato kradcite
December 10, 2024
This short story is best described as disturbingly creative, if you are not interested in feeling disturbed while reading then I would stay away. However, as far as I know it's merely a figment of Roald Dahl imagination, so I will judge him only on his storytelling.
The prose is fluid and clear, pacing is near perfect, and the dialogue is engaging. The plotting of the protagonist is very clever, yet blows up in his face. Although, in a completely unexpected way.
I found the characters compelling; the husbands are amoral but interesting, and the wives totally sympathetic. I would not call it a story of smut. as the graphic details are rather barebones.
Not a short story I ever want to read again, yet I am glad Roald Dahl wrote it, and glad he wrote this disturbing tale so well.
The prose is fluid and clear, pacing is near perfect, and the dialogue is engaging. The plotting of the protagonist is very clever, yet blows up in his face. Although, in a completely unexpected way.
I found the characters compelling; the husbands are amoral but interesting, and the wives totally sympathetic. I would not call it a story of smut. as the graphic details are rather barebones.
Not a short story I ever want to read again, yet I am glad Roald Dahl wrote it, and glad he wrote this disturbing tale so well.
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January 19, 2021Dear Lord!!! I’m not sure I’ll ever see Roald Dahl the same after this!!! I went into this little story 100% blind, and when they started talking about circumcision and the size of the male genitalia, I nearly choked on my water!
Good thing Dahl fancied children’s stories more. Otherwise I have a feeling James would have been doing something else to the giant peach. 😳
The premise starts out kinda funny.... but it’s terrible really!
Oh, God! This is WRONG! Roald Dahl!!! WHAT were you smoking when you wrote this?!?
Good thing Dahl fancied children’s stories more. Otherwise I have a feeling James would have been doing something else to the giant peach. 😳
The premise starts out kinda funny.... but it’s terrible really!
Oh, God! This is WRONG! Roald Dahl!!! WHAT were you smoking when you wrote this?!?
December 29, 2024
A man deceives his friend, cheats on his wife, and ends up with egg on his lustful face, but not in the way I expected. I liked the conclusion.
And since that was the last title that sounded interesting in Roald Dahl's Collected Stories, I'm done for now. I love his writing but, generally, not the plotlines.
And since that was the last title that sounded interesting in Roald Dahl's Collected Stories, I'm done for now. I love his writing but, generally, not the plotlines.
January 15, 2021
Wtf? Did Roald Dahl really write this sexual fantasy? It’s funny but you don’t think of the world famous children’s author as this type of literature...
March 6, 2021
1.5
i mean... there are so many problems with this one the only good part was the beginning
i mean... there are so many problems with this one the only good part was the beginning
May 6, 2021
Love this audiobook!
Hysterical!
Roald Dahl was a lech! Lol
Hysterical!
Roald Dahl was a lech! Lol
Read
October 28, 2023interesting but disturbing af, just like roald dahl.
you're telling me this is writen by the same man who wrote matilda ????
you're telling me this is writen by the same man who wrote matilda ????
December 21, 2023
he is funny, i think.
January 20, 2024
Twisted but brilliant!
March 9, 2025
Although this would be in this time a very controversial subject, it wasn't a bad weird story.
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June 9, 2025I had no idea this was…rape. Dear lord, I am speechless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2025
Infelizmente o último dos contos do Roald Dahl que eu tenho pra ler foi esse. Um continho mequetrefe, machista, misógino, cuja reviravolta é um tipo de emasculação do protagonista. Grande coisa.
October 24, 2023
Read in 2023 as part of The Best of Roald Dahl and Switch Bitch.
November 26, 2022
Read as part of The Complete Short Stories: Volume One 1944-1953
A man hears a story about two men who swap places and have sex with each other's wives, and he decides he wants to do it too. [ He works out the details with a friend of his, and one Saturday night they switch places and do each other's wives. The next morning his wife tells him that she's never liked sex, but that now he knows what he's doing, things will be different, only, of course, it wasn't actually him that his wife liked having sex with, but his best friend 🤦
A man hears a story about two men who swap places and have sex with each other's wives, and he decides he wants to do it too. [ He works out the details with a friend of his, and one Saturday night they switch places and do each other's wives. The next morning his wife tells him that she's never liked sex, but that now he knows what he's doing, things will be different, only, of course, it wasn't actually him that his wife liked having sex with, but his best friend 🤦
January 12, 2016
Amusing. It's the adult version of what I remember Roald Dahl to be like. A bit weird, funny and so very well written.
February 6, 2017
Haha for en historie!!
February 22, 2022
Giving this three out of five because I like the way it was written, but the plot and content is just... hmm.
March 27, 2025
I don't know what to say about this. Went in blind expecting a children's story, boy was I wrong. Interesting, not bad, but I don't like the women not knowing.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews