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The Way up to Heaven
The Way Up to Heaven is a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail.
In The Way Up to Heaven, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a woman obsessed with punctuality makes a fateful decision . . .
The Way Up to Heaven is taken from the short story collection Kiss Kiss, which includes ten other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who pawns the mink coat from her lover with unexpected results; the priceless piece of furniture that is the subject of a deceitful bargain; a wronged woman taking revenge on her dead husband, and others.
'Unnerving bedtime stories, subtle, proficient, hair-raising and done to a turn.' (San Francisco Chronicle )
This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by Stephanie Beacham.
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.
In The Way Up to Heaven, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a woman obsessed with punctuality makes a fateful decision . . .
The Way Up to Heaven is taken from the short story collection Kiss Kiss, which includes ten other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who pawns the mink coat from her lover with unexpected results; the priceless piece of furniture that is the subject of a deceitful bargain; a wronged woman taking revenge on her dead husband, and others.
'Unnerving bedtime stories, subtle, proficient, hair-raising and done to a turn.' (San Francisco Chronicle )
This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by Stephanie Beacham.
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.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,518 books27.2k 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 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 4, 2026
5★
"It is really extraordinary how in certain people a simple apprehension about a thing like catching a train can grow into a serious obsession."
That obsession can be extremely annoying for everyone else to live with, and Mr Foster had obviously become so fed up with his wife's "almost pathological fear of missing a train, a plane, a boat or even a theatre curtain", that he found ways to amuse himself with it.
It's almost like teasing a child or a dog by keeping something just out of reach. He seemed to purposely dawdle to make it hard for their chauffeur to get them to their destination on time.
"On one or two special occasions in the later years of their married life, it seemed almost as though he had wanted to miss the train simply in order to intensify the poor woman’s suffering."
Oh, surely not! Yet, Mrs. Foster, who had been an exemplary wife for many years and never gave her husband any reason to complain, began to wonder if perhaps he actually was delaying on purpose.
When she finally summoned the courage to fly from New York to Paris to visit her daughter's family and the grandchildren she'd yet to meet, she was especially anxious. Her husband insisted on seeing her off at the airport, and missing this transatlantic flight would mean cancelling her trip.
He says it will be foggy, so the flight will be cancelled anyway. He's such a bundle of cheer, isn't he?
So what happens? Only the most delicious twisty Roald Dahl story is what. This was published in The New Yorker on 27 February 1954, and I first read it probably ten years later in Kiss Kiss, a collection of his stories that my dad gave me. I think that was my introduction to this unusual man, and I loved it.
Dahl is probably better known now for his children's stories, but be warned that his work for adults can get pretty dark and haunting - just so you know!
This is also the first story in The Complete Short Stories: Volume Two 1954-1988 of Roald Dahl.
You can read it online here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1POcJ...
Thanks to the Goodreads Short Story Club for selecting this one this week and reminding me what fun it can be to read Dahl.
"It is really extraordinary how in certain people a simple apprehension about a thing like catching a train can grow into a serious obsession."
That obsession can be extremely annoying for everyone else to live with, and Mr Foster had obviously become so fed up with his wife's "almost pathological fear of missing a train, a plane, a boat or even a theatre curtain", that he found ways to amuse himself with it.
It's almost like teasing a child or a dog by keeping something just out of reach. He seemed to purposely dawdle to make it hard for their chauffeur to get them to their destination on time.
"On one or two special occasions in the later years of their married life, it seemed almost as though he had wanted to miss the train simply in order to intensify the poor woman’s suffering."
Oh, surely not! Yet, Mrs. Foster, who had been an exemplary wife for many years and never gave her husband any reason to complain, began to wonder if perhaps he actually was delaying on purpose.
When she finally summoned the courage to fly from New York to Paris to visit her daughter's family and the grandchildren she'd yet to meet, she was especially anxious. Her husband insisted on seeing her off at the airport, and missing this transatlantic flight would mean cancelling her trip.
He says it will be foggy, so the flight will be cancelled anyway. He's such a bundle of cheer, isn't he?
So what happens? Only the most delicious twisty Roald Dahl story is what. This was published in The New Yorker on 27 February 1954, and I first read it probably ten years later in Kiss Kiss, a collection of his stories that my dad gave me. I think that was my introduction to this unusual man, and I loved it.
Dahl is probably better known now for his children's stories, but be warned that his work for adults can get pretty dark and haunting - just so you know!
This is also the first story in The Complete Short Stories: Volume Two 1954-1988 of Roald Dahl.
You can read it online here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1POcJ...
Thanks to the Goodreads Short Story Club for selecting this one this week and reminding me what fun it can be to read Dahl.
October 10, 2019
I always love Roald Dahl’s (short) stories. They are completely different than his children’s stories, which are also nice, but not something I read regularly. This particular short story is wonderfully written and has a slightly suspenseful mood throughout the whole story. You can feel something is going to happen, but what? Even though it is not spelled out for you, you can guess well enough what happened at the end of the story.
July 5, 2026
“She glanced at him again, and this time she noticed with a kind of horror that he was staring intently at the little place in the corner of her left eye where she could feel the muscle twitching.”
A good story keeps me on the edge of my seat. This one accomplished that. The missing piece was a much-needed casual mention early on that would have helped the ending out.
A good story keeps me on the edge of my seat. This one accomplished that. The missing piece was a much-needed casual mention early on that would have helped the ending out.
August 30, 2016
I didn't understand the significance of this story at first, but after going over it twice, I finally do. And it's a nice piece of work.
February 10, 2017
سه داستان مجزا. نوع پایانبندی دو داستان اول را زیاد دوست نداشتم اما در مجموع دوستش داشتم.
February 7, 2020
.داستانهایی که رولد دال برای کودکان نوشته به نظرم خیلی بامزهتر و جذابترن.
چیزی که توی تمام نوشتههای رولد دال دیده میشه اون شیطنت هست و خیلی دوستداشتنیه.
داستان اول و دوم این کتاب رو نمیدونم به خاطر ترجمهاش بود که آخرش رو درست نفهمیدم چی شد یا واقعاً گنگ و نامفهوم بود؟
چیزی که توی تمام نوشتههای رولد دال دیده میشه اون شیطنت هست و خیلی دوستداشتنیه.
داستان اول و دوم این کتاب رو نمیدونم به خاطر ترجمهاش بود که آخرش رو درست نفهمیدم چی شد یا واقعاً گنگ و نامفهوم بود؟
June 26, 2022
el final estuvo muy bueno pero tuve q googlear xq no lo había entendido, si a la primera lo captaba hubiera sido un sólido 4 o 5. Me gusta q sea corto pero igual pasa de todo, y me dio ansiedad durante las 10 hojas.
January 24, 2017
Mr. Dahl, your very sly indeed. Another brilliant short story! ^-^
December 25, 2017
Roald Dahl at his best and most macabre! This is one short story that never gets old for me.
February 19, 2019
I loved this story because it reminds me of myself and my getting on time somewhere problems. I loved how the main character took charge of own life and did what she wanted to do to get somewhere on time. I also had to laugh a little how it ended for her husband who saw her anxiety as a game. I give this a 4.
November 18, 2024
*2.5-2.75
June 8, 2024
the suspense was very real, lowkey had me stressed
November 9, 2016
The more I read works by Roald Dahl, the more I like this author. Each one is peculiar and exciting in its own way. “The Way up to Heaven” is a short story with sharp plot twists and I’d even say that its ending is really terrifying.
“The Way up to Heaven” is about a strange married couple, about two persons who have been together for a very long time. But since I’m bad at understanding human relationships, I can’t surely say if it’s strange. Their marriage isn’t normal, of course… However that’s the way people usually behave when they are married for so many years, isn't that? They start to annoy each other, get some unpleasant habits and often scold each other because of some nonsenses (or not nonsenses, but it’s still a fact). That’s what happens to mr. and mrs. Foster. They are old, have a big apartment in NY and stable life where there isn’t anything to wish. But their relationship is like a real nightmare. Mrs. Foster has an obsession of being late for everything, and she can’t cope with it. But it’s just a feature of her character anyway. However her husband extremely hates it about her, moreover, he does everything to spite her (for example, force her to be late for train, plain and so on). The woman understands it at the back of her mind, and still she can’t believe that her husband is so cruel.
Eventually it turns out that the woman is not so weak-willed as it may seem at the first sight. She consciously kills mr. Foster, though it happens indirectly. And in my opinion it’s reasonable enough, for this man has been tortured her for a very long time. And he is “rewarded” by a cruel death in the elevator, starving and suffocating.
The moral of the story is don’t behave like a scoundrel – it will certainly boomerang against you!
“The Way up to Heaven” is about a strange married couple, about two persons who have been together for a very long time. But since I’m bad at understanding human relationships, I can’t surely say if it’s strange. Their marriage isn’t normal, of course… However that’s the way people usually behave when they are married for so many years, isn't that? They start to annoy each other, get some unpleasant habits and often scold each other because of some nonsenses (or not nonsenses, but it’s still a fact). That’s what happens to mr. and mrs. Foster. They are old, have a big apartment in NY and stable life where there isn’t anything to wish. But their relationship is like a real nightmare. Mrs. Foster has an obsession of being late for everything, and she can’t cope with it. But it’s just a feature of her character anyway. However her husband extremely hates it about her, moreover, he does everything to spite her (for example, force her to be late for train, plain and so on). The woman understands it at the back of her mind, and still she can’t believe that her husband is so cruel.
Eventually it turns out that the woman is not so weak-willed as it may seem at the first sight. She consciously kills mr. Foster, though it happens indirectly. And in my opinion it’s reasonable enough, for this man has been tortured her for a very long time. And he is “rewarded” by a cruel death in the elevator, starving and suffocating.
The moral of the story is don’t behave like a scoundrel – it will certainly boomerang against you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2021
“Now be sure to take your meals regularly, dear, although this is something I’m afraid you may not be doing when I’m not with you.”
Oh.. the ironic events! The macabre end! The amusing metaphors! The subtle hints! I am becoming a fan of Dahl's stories for the adults.
Oh.. the ironic events! The macabre end! The amusing metaphors! The subtle hints! I am becoming a fan of Dahl's stories for the adults.
July 16, 2016
خیلی خوب بود... آدم باورش نمی شه که نویسنده ی ماتیلدا این داستان ها رو نوشته!
البته داستان دوم و سوم رو قبلا در کتاب "داستان های نامنتظره" خونده بودم.
البته داستان دوم و سوم رو قبلا در کتاب "داستان های نامنتظره" خونده بودم.
May 31, 2019
HAHAHHAHAHAH brutal. Definitely recommend! I did not see this coming.
February 18, 2023
This was a sadistic little story that I enjoyed very much.
Might be the climate of female oppression going on in the United States (and many other countries around the world) that made it 5 stars for me.
Might be the climate of female oppression going on in the United States (and many other countries around the world) that made it 5 stars for me.
February 24, 2018
دو داستان اول پایان بندی جالبی نداشت ولی در کل دو داستان آخر بهتر بودن
October 25, 2019
25october2019
read as part of the collection kiss kiss.
read as part of the collection kiss kiss.
September 2, 2021
کتابی با سه داستان کوتاه و با پایانی باز. جذاب بودن داستان ها اما عالی نبودند. میشه گفت رولد دال در زمینه داستان کوتاه هم استعدادی داشت.
February 1, 2022
The ending😳
Read
December 11, 2022I'm confusion
November 5, 2023
اقا مرگ غم انگیز و دردناکی داشته که اینطوری.
چرا انتقام های وحشتناک میگیرن کاراکتراش؟
چقدر انگیزهی انتقام گیری انسان چیز ترسناکیه.
چرا انتقام های وحشتناک میگیرن کاراکتراش؟
چقدر انگیزهی انتقام گیری انسان چیز ترسناکیه.
January 13, 2024
Lol I'm not really sure how someone can just but this was definitely suspenseful entertainment.
November 5, 2024
Mi profe de inglés me pidió si podía leerlo para comentar el final…
qué buena historia corta, entretenida y sorprendente.
qué buena historia corta, entretenida y sorprendente.
August 24, 2023
3.5 stars! Roald Dahl's only work that he wrote for adult audiences (at least as far as I know), The Way Up to Heaven is truly a dark and morbid tale. It tells the story of a woman who has remained passive and submissive throughout her life, allowing her husband to toy cruelly with her—until she finally finds the courage to...well, get the last laugh on her husband. I do not want to spoil the surprise ending, but the twist of events proves ever so satisfying. This narrative is clever, well-written, and darkly humorous. It proves refreshing to see that Roald Dahl can branch out and write for adult audiences, as well as children.
March 6, 2015
It's a fantastic and macabre short story! So twisted, a little bit predictable but I really like it!!
December 31, 2017
this is so dark. my favorite!
November 2, 2024
they would make you read this in a sophomore english class but i enjoyed it. would give it a 3.5 instead of a 4
June 30, 2026
I enjoyed this short story by Roald Dahl tremendously. As someone who has read hardly any fiction for years, I am finding it very rewarding to be a member of The Short Story Club here on GR.
Unlike most of the world, I'm not a Dahl fan. I read one or two of his children's books years ago, and I'm afraid I found them boring On top of that there have been ongoing discussions about his unpleasant prejudices, which have not been endearing. However, I thought this story was an absolute delight.
The two main protagonists are Mr and Mrs Foster. She is a woman neurotic about being on time, and he is someone who enjoys teasing her, by repeatedly threatening to make her late.
As someone who's punctilious about time, I identified strongly with the wife's controlled panic, which Dahl describes superbly well. Her husband's teasing hostility is also well portrayed - appearing all the more sadistic in nature due to its precisely calculated execution. Most of the story has us on tenterhooks. The wife has an important commitment, where it is crucial she arrives on time. Will she manage to reach her destination on time or not? Besides the tension of this situation, her husband also mentions locking their house up when they go away, rather than paying their servants full wages for looking after the house. Thus he comes across as being unkind to his servants as well as his wife.
Finally, I loved the ending the story! What a great surprise. Who doesn't enjoy a toe rag getting his comeuppance, especially when there is an unexpected twist. Highly recommended!
Unlike most of the world, I'm not a Dahl fan. I read one or two of his children's books years ago, and I'm afraid I found them boring On top of that there have been ongoing discussions about his unpleasant prejudices, which have not been endearing. However, I thought this story was an absolute delight.
The two main protagonists are Mr and Mrs Foster. She is a woman neurotic about being on time, and he is someone who enjoys teasing her, by repeatedly threatening to make her late.
As someone who's punctilious about time, I identified strongly with the wife's controlled panic, which Dahl describes superbly well. Her husband's teasing hostility is also well portrayed - appearing all the more sadistic in nature due to its precisely calculated execution. Most of the story has us on tenterhooks. The wife has an important commitment, where it is crucial she arrives on time. Will she manage to reach her destination on time or not? Besides the tension of this situation, her husband also mentions locking their house up when they go away, rather than paying their servants full wages for looking after the house. Thus he comes across as being unkind to his servants as well as his wife.
Finally, I loved the ending the story! What a great surprise. Who doesn't enjoy a toe rag getting his comeuppance, especially when there is an unexpected twist. Highly recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews