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Roald Dahl's Autobiography #1-2
Boy & Going Solo: BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramas
Two new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of Roald Dahl's gripping autobiographical stories.
These two compelling adaptations, based on Roald Dahl’s real-life tales of his of his boyhood and youthful overseas adventures, celebrate his remarkable life and commemorate his genius.
Boy Dahl’s childhood was one of excitement, wonder, terror and sadness. From his fascination with the local sweetshop to the Great Mouse Plot, the horrors of boarding school, the obnoxious Boazers and his time as a chocolate taster for Cadbury’s, we hear of the extraordinary events that shaped him and inspired his bestselling books.
Going Solo Setting sail for Africa on the SS Montola, aged 22, Dahl is plunged into an unfamiliar world of eccentric colonial characters. In Tanzania he enjoys life on the savannah, encountering lions and deadly mambas – but when World War II breaks out, and he must round up the Germans in Dar es Salaam, he experiences the brutality of war. As he leaves the bush behind and takes to the skies as an RAF pilot, many thrilling adventures and dangerous missions will ensue before he finally makes his way back home...
Starring Patrick Malahide as the voice of Dahl, these colourful dramatisations will carry you away into worlds every bit as amazing, strange and memorable as the ones in his acclaimed fiction. Duration: 3 hours approx
These two compelling adaptations, based on Roald Dahl’s real-life tales of his of his boyhood and youthful overseas adventures, celebrate his remarkable life and commemorate his genius.
Boy Dahl’s childhood was one of excitement, wonder, terror and sadness. From his fascination with the local sweetshop to the Great Mouse Plot, the horrors of boarding school, the obnoxious Boazers and his time as a chocolate taster for Cadbury’s, we hear of the extraordinary events that shaped him and inspired his bestselling books.
Going Solo Setting sail for Africa on the SS Montola, aged 22, Dahl is plunged into an unfamiliar world of eccentric colonial characters. In Tanzania he enjoys life on the savannah, encountering lions and deadly mambas – but when World War II breaks out, and he must round up the Germans in Dar es Salaam, he experiences the brutality of war. As he leaves the bush behind and takes to the skies as an RAF pilot, many thrilling adventures and dangerous missions will ensue before he finally makes his way back home...
Starring Patrick Malahide as the voice of Dahl, these colourful dramatisations will carry you away into worlds every bit as amazing, strange and memorable as the ones in his acclaimed fiction. Duration: 3 hours approx
1 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 1984
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About the author
Roald Dahl
1,472 books26.6k 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 329 reviews
February 5, 2017
Ok, so this is my second attempt and the review better not be lost again. Grrr.
So what to say about this great dramatisation? First of all, there are two books that were adapted here:
1) Boy - in which Roald (named after Roald Amundsen, the famous explorer after whom the Amundsen Scott Base in Antarctica is named) describes his childhood, family tragedy, how they moved to England, the tricks he played on other people, the English school system (more about money for the headmaster than education, lots of thrashings) and his time as a tester for a nearby chocolate factory.
2) Going Solo - which is divided into two parts. The first part deals with a now yound adult Dahl who starts working for Shell and is sent to Africa (his dream come true)! There, he encounters colonialism (I know it was accurately described but I cringed every time somebody called one of the natives "Boy!"), a lot of VERY silly British people and basically has a good time. In the second part, war is declared and he becomes an Air Force officer.
It is clear right from the start that life was never actually easy on Roald. His mother was very sweet but other than that, it really is a miracle that he was able to see so many good and funny things in life. It begins with
There are a few incidents that really made me burst from laughter - not because they were actually funny (young Roald almost lost his nose once) but because of the way Roald Dahl told the story.
But it doesn't get much better later. Apart from colonialism, there is of course WWII. Roald Dahl never had ANY training but was suddenly made an officer and got a few flying lessons. That qualified him. Honestly, I was shocked and appalled when hearing about the immense incompetence of the British military in those days. No wonder the Germans managed to win so many battles!
Especially the stories in Greece and, later, Lybia were awful and I kept wondering how this strapping young man managed to keep his spirits up when all around him was nothing but darkness and despair. In the end, so he returns home to his mother with whom he had an immensely close relationship until her end (he wrote letters to her every week). Which is where the book ends.
For anyone interested, he didn't stay in England long. In 1942 he was sent to Washington DC and even became a spy for the British government.
In 1953 he married the Hollywood actress Patricia Neal with whom he had 5 children and was married for 30 years before they got divorced (apparently so he could marry his second wife because that came VERY shortly after). His second marriage apparently remained childless. When aged 7 (ironically when thinking of Roald's sister), his oldest daughter, Olivia, died (of measles). Seven years after getting married, Dahl himself died of pneumonia.
What I didn't know was how much he was involved in charity work regarding neurology, hematology and illiteracy. Moreover, I also didn't know that Gremlins was penned by Dahl (it was his first ever children's book). When he needed money in the 60s, he also wrote a few screenplays such as 2 adaptations of Ian Fleming's James Bond stories or the screenplay for his very own book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the one with Gene Wilder).
There were, of course, darker sides to Dahl too. Such as the alleged anti-semitism. He once wrote:
“There’s a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity […] I mean there is always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere; even a stinker like Hitler didn’t just pick on them for no reason.”
Apparently it is for that reason that the Queen never knighted him (which is stupid considering what other people were knighted despite their imperfect characters and things they said, but whatever).
Anyway, what I learned here is that world views were fundamentally different when Dahl was a child and young adult and that despite the sheer insurmountable odds, he seems to have barely ever been afraid. He did what had to be done and was pracmatic enough to say that feeling terror or dread helped no-one. Nevertheless, he was never cold or indifferent. Quite the contrary. His courage in WWII despite not actually having known what he was doing at first, coupled with his constant curiosity (he always questioned and scrutinized everything) and his way of seeing something comical in the darkest of moments, made him a special person in my eyes (not to mention his absolutely brilliant books).
So what to say about this great dramatisation? First of all, there are two books that were adapted here:
1) Boy - in which Roald (named after Roald Amundsen, the famous explorer after whom the Amundsen Scott Base in Antarctica is named) describes his childhood, family tragedy, how they moved to England, the tricks he played on other people, the English school system (more about money for the headmaster than education, lots of thrashings) and his time as a tester for a nearby chocolate factory.
2) Going Solo - which is divided into two parts. The first part deals with a now yound adult Dahl who starts working for Shell and is sent to Africa (his dream come true)! There, he encounters colonialism (I know it was accurately described but I cringed every time somebody called one of the natives "Boy!"), a lot of VERY silly British people and basically has a good time. In the second part, war is declared and he becomes an Air Force officer.
It is clear right from the start that life was never actually easy on Roald. His mother was very sweet but other than that, it really is a miracle that he was able to see so many good and funny things in life. It begins with
There are a few incidents that really made me burst from laughter - not because they were actually funny (young Roald almost lost his nose once) but because of the way Roald Dahl told the story.
But it doesn't get much better later. Apart from colonialism, there is of course WWII. Roald Dahl never had ANY training but was suddenly made an officer and got a few flying lessons. That qualified him. Honestly, I was shocked and appalled when hearing about the immense incompetence of the British military in those days. No wonder the Germans managed to win so many battles!
Especially the stories in Greece and, later, Lybia were awful and I kept wondering how this strapping young man managed to keep his spirits up when all around him was nothing but darkness and despair. In the end, so he returns home to his mother with whom he had an immensely close relationship until her end (he wrote letters to her every week). Which is where the book ends.
For anyone interested, he didn't stay in England long. In 1942 he was sent to Washington DC and even became a spy for the British government.
In 1953 he married the Hollywood actress Patricia Neal with whom he had 5 children and was married for 30 years before they got divorced (apparently so he could marry his second wife because that came VERY shortly after). His second marriage apparently remained childless. When aged 7 (ironically when thinking of Roald's sister), his oldest daughter, Olivia, died (of measles). Seven years after getting married, Dahl himself died of pneumonia.
What I didn't know was how much he was involved in charity work regarding neurology, hematology and illiteracy. Moreover, I also didn't know that Gremlins was penned by Dahl (it was his first ever children's book). When he needed money in the 60s, he also wrote a few screenplays such as 2 adaptations of Ian Fleming's James Bond stories or the screenplay for his very own book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the one with Gene Wilder).
There were, of course, darker sides to Dahl too. Such as the alleged anti-semitism. He once wrote:
“There’s a trait in the Jewish character that does provoke animosity […] I mean there is always a reason why anti-anything crops up anywhere; even a stinker like Hitler didn’t just pick on them for no reason.”
Apparently it is for that reason that the Queen never knighted him (which is stupid considering what other people were knighted despite their imperfect characters and things they said, but whatever).
Anyway, what I learned here is that world views were fundamentally different when Dahl was a child and young adult and that despite the sheer insurmountable odds, he seems to have barely ever been afraid. He did what had to be done and was pracmatic enough to say that feeling terror or dread helped no-one. Nevertheless, he was never cold or indifferent. Quite the contrary. His courage in WWII despite not actually having known what he was doing at first, coupled with his constant curiosity (he always questioned and scrutinized everything) and his way of seeing something comical in the darkest of moments, made him a special person in my eyes (not to mention his absolutely brilliant books).
August 10, 2018
Everyone's life has ups and downs. This had me laughing, crying, and wanting to reread all of Dahl's books again.
March 1, 2012
This is overall an extremely interesting book. Being an auto-biography I initially thought this book would just be a list of events of Roald Dahl's Life but with a more professional flare. I was right however that being said, Dahl's life is extremely interesting and his previous experiences were amazing to read. His hard work from a young age is a testament to his amazing success in the literary industry. He was able to accommodate humour, suspense, emotion, and interesting writing techniques while still maintaining the integrity of his life story. Do I feel he might have exaggerated some segments? Yes, but only slightly. His travels, time in the Army, deployment on Africa, and schooling have all impacted his life and he has shared that with the world. My favorite section is where Dahl encounters a Black Mamba in Africa and the events that follow. This is a book recommended for all ages and any sex.
** Note: This is not a difficult read, if you are looking to challenge yourself this may not be the book for you. This is an auto-biography and has no Genre in particular. Its an amazing read and I have read it 5-6 times.
** Note: This is not a difficult read, if you are looking to challenge yourself this may not be the book for you. This is an auto-biography and has no Genre in particular. Its an amazing read and I have read it 5-6 times.
March 4, 2023
Oh, I cried, and I will cry every time I read or listen to this! Roald Dahl is ,for me, the very reason reading became a very important part of my life, and these stories of his life are just brilliant.
October 29, 2019
Brilliant. Dahl is witty, observant and wicked. These books are written for children and adults with Dahl's trademark style of simple language, complex meaning and lashings og humour. There is a timeless appeal to these books. I loved his childrens books as a child and for reading to my children so these autobiographical novels were a godsend for a rainy Sunday in a caravan. Short and easy to read but the feel good factor lasts for a long time.
January 27, 2021
I have read this book for my seven-year-old son. I found it interesting, as I am very found in the author. However, my son has found it a little odd and a bit boring. The way how children were treated at schools in the past was cruel and uneven.
November 29, 2015
Book Review for Boy and Going Solo by Roald Dahl.
(My first ever Goodreads book review!)
Charity Shop Purchase
Children and YA non-fiction/autobiography
A poignant true account of real-life events, told by one of the greatest children’s writers of the 20th century for children today and in the future.
Boy and Going Solo in this combined edition reflects on the life and thoughts of the author Roald Dahl. Famous for stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, his life story and moments were to be just as exciting as his own creations.
We start with Boy. A recollection of the birth of Roald in Llandaff, South Wales and his adventures at the cathedral school in Llandaff. Boy I felt was a child-friendly read although for younger readers, I strongly recommend reading Boy with a parent. I first read Boy at the age of nine alone in my room but my parents were on hand to help me with anything I didn’t understand. There are moments in Boy that make you laugh, there are moments that will make you cry and of course, there are moments that will make you say, “What the hell was that?” That’s the beauty of Boy. You experience practical jokes with a mouse on a sweet shop lady for example, the time when a matron decided to use a bar of soap to stop a boy from loud snoring. But, you also witness first-hand the punishments and trials that Roald went through. And that does mean the dreaded cane!
Boy I felt was accurate and gave a great portrayal into the world of grammar schools and the students that walked through its corridors. I feel that Roald Dahl did a great job with Boy, an autobiography told in a format for children. Again, I would recommend it for children to enjoy and also for book clubs to discuss about the historical times between 1916 and the start of WW2.
Going Solo took a little longer to read. There were moments in it that I felt were heart-wrenching and without wanting to give the whole autobiography events away, it makes you think about life and the times when events happen and you look towards life as a precious gift. Live it to the fullest. Going Solo is giving off that statement for children. Even though I read Going Solo at age nine alone, taking my personal experiences into account, I feel that children should read Going Solo with an adult due to the nature of events that are included.
The main thing that I love about this combined edition is that both stories included are emotional, thought-provoking reads. Even though I preferred Boy to Going Solo, both do give true reflections of real-life events that happened to Roald Dahl.
Overall, Roald had a good strength for fiction but an even greater strength for non-fiction. For those looking for writing involving history, mystery and… a dead mouse… then look no further than Boy/Going Solo.
(marriedtobooks44 reviews. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for the latest book reviewing updates and book collecting news!
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(My first ever Goodreads book review!)
Charity Shop Purchase
Children and YA non-fiction/autobiography
A poignant true account of real-life events, told by one of the greatest children’s writers of the 20th century for children today and in the future.
Boy and Going Solo in this combined edition reflects on the life and thoughts of the author Roald Dahl. Famous for stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, his life story and moments were to be just as exciting as his own creations.
We start with Boy. A recollection of the birth of Roald in Llandaff, South Wales and his adventures at the cathedral school in Llandaff. Boy I felt was a child-friendly read although for younger readers, I strongly recommend reading Boy with a parent. I first read Boy at the age of nine alone in my room but my parents were on hand to help me with anything I didn’t understand. There are moments in Boy that make you laugh, there are moments that will make you cry and of course, there are moments that will make you say, “What the hell was that?” That’s the beauty of Boy. You experience practical jokes with a mouse on a sweet shop lady for example, the time when a matron decided to use a bar of soap to stop a boy from loud snoring. But, you also witness first-hand the punishments and trials that Roald went through. And that does mean the dreaded cane!
Boy I felt was accurate and gave a great portrayal into the world of grammar schools and the students that walked through its corridors. I feel that Roald Dahl did a great job with Boy, an autobiography told in a format for children. Again, I would recommend it for children to enjoy and also for book clubs to discuss about the historical times between 1916 and the start of WW2.
Going Solo took a little longer to read. There were moments in it that I felt were heart-wrenching and without wanting to give the whole autobiography events away, it makes you think about life and the times when events happen and you look towards life as a precious gift. Live it to the fullest. Going Solo is giving off that statement for children. Even though I read Going Solo at age nine alone, taking my personal experiences into account, I feel that children should read Going Solo with an adult due to the nature of events that are included.
The main thing that I love about this combined edition is that both stories included are emotional, thought-provoking reads. Even though I preferred Boy to Going Solo, both do give true reflections of real-life events that happened to Roald Dahl.
Overall, Roald had a good strength for fiction but an even greater strength for non-fiction. For those looking for writing involving history, mystery and… a dead mouse… then look no further than Boy/Going Solo.
(marriedtobooks44 reviews. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for the latest book reviewing updates and book collecting news!
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September 25, 2014
Actual Rating: 2.5
The fact that I had to read this book for school was sad. I hate reading books for school because I think the books are always about something you don't really care about. I not a huge fan of Roald Dahl's books, there I said it. I had to read The BFG in fourth grade and I hated it. Although, I thought that some of the stories in the book were interesting or funny, my real rating for this book would be 2.5 because it was ok, but not to the point were I could give it three stars.
The fact that I had to read this book for school was sad. I hate reading books for school because I think the books are always about something you don't really care about. I not a huge fan of Roald Dahl's books, there I said it. I had to read The BFG in fourth grade and I hated it. Although, I thought that some of the stories in the book were interesting or funny, my real rating for this book would be 2.5 because it was ok, but not to the point were I could give it three stars.
March 23, 2023
‘Boy’ is a very entertaining, short, concise memoir of the author’s life from birth to around the age of nineteen. He relates a number of amusing incidents like refilling a pipe with something other than tobacco and watching the smoker’s reaction.
A delightful, enjoyable, recommended read.
The book, ‘Boy’ was first published in 1984. (I have briefly commented on ‘Solo’ separately in ‘Goodreads’).
A delightful, enjoyable, recommended read.
The book, ‘Boy’ was first published in 1984. (I have briefly commented on ‘Solo’ separately in ‘Goodreads’).
May 3, 2025
I was forced to read this for school and it’s just not my kinda book.
September 21, 2025
I heard this on Libby and I enjoyed the full cast narration and sounds.
This book is the story of the author as a young kid and his relationship with his mother and days spent at school. It also shows his other side as a grown up during the war.
I guess I'll be picking up other short stories by the author soon.
This book is the story of the author as a young kid and his relationship with his mother and days spent at school. It also shows his other side as a grown up during the war.
I guess I'll be picking up other short stories by the author soon.
May 29, 2017
Some parts are hilarious and others are upsetting in this superb autobiography. Roald Dahl's themes in his fiction were obviously inspired by his interesting, varied and sometimes dangerous life.
July 27, 2019
Childhood favourite.
Dahl is perfection.
Dahl is perfection.
December 29, 2019
Over het algemeen kan het lezen van een autobiografie een eentonige bedoeling zijn. Hoewel Dahl bekend staat als één van ‘s werelds beste (kinder)boeken schrijvers, was ik toch benieuwd of hij me ook zou kunnen boeien met zijn autobiografie. Dat kon hij wel degelijk. Ik ben niet alleen onder de indruk van de vele (bizarre) gebeurtenissen die Dahl omschrijft en dus meegemaakt heeft, maar ook op de manier hoe hij deze gebeurtenissen uiteenzet en tot leven roept. Ik hing van het begin tot het einde aan zijn lippen. Fijn!
June 22, 2018
An interesting memoir of that part of Dahl's life. It made me appreciate the bravery of people who choose to serve their country in war and the uncertainty they face on a daily basis on the battlefield, and yet they still do their best to serve.
May 8, 2021
Really good. He is a master of relaying tough events in a comfy way.
December 8, 2025
Can all autobiographies be put to audio like this? The voice acting, the music, the pacing - amazing. Perfect adaptation for a master storyteller. I dare you not to be crying at the end
October 24, 2020
I love this book especially the second part 'going solo'. Maybe it's because I read or was read, or watched so much Roald Dahl as a child. This is obviously more adult than other stories he wrote, but still doesn't contain anything to stop a younger person reading it. It is written in the same wonderful style though as his other books and you can see especially in 'boy' where he got characters from for his other books.
I really like going solo though, I like the stories in Africa I just wish it was longer. I find it a fascinating period when it was all part of the British empire and the whole colonial lifestyle. Then the war part is a really great insight into what it was like for a young person thrown into battle. I really wish he had written more adult fiction, especially the kind of everyday stuff not just fantastical stories as he could really make fairly good stories excellent.
I really like going solo though, I like the stories in Africa I just wish it was longer. I find it a fascinating period when it was all part of the British empire and the whole colonial lifestyle. Then the war part is a really great insight into what it was like for a young person thrown into battle. I really wish he had written more adult fiction, especially the kind of everyday stuff not just fantastical stories as he could really make fairly good stories excellent.
November 8, 2023
A whimsical and fun to read autobiography of Dahl’s childhood and of his years in the RAF in the first world war.
June 14, 2025
Wow Roald Dahl had a life like a adventure book. The part about his childhood felt like a story book by Roald Dahl and his adult life was just wild! Great audiobook too.
March 8, 2017
Do you enjoy autobiographies about amazing people that really changed the way we view the world? People who have influenced so many? Well, introducing Roald Dahl’s autobiography: Boy.
Boy is a hilarious yet heart-warming novel going through all of the incredible events in Dahl’s life. The book essentially is a timeline of Roald Dahl’s life: starting from him as a four-year-old in kindergarten and then expands the story into him as a high-school student.
This book has taught me how strict and harsh the olden days were. I thought this especially when in one chapter; nine-year-old Dahl and his group of friends put a dead rat into the horrible sweet shop owner’s jar of lollies. This resulted in the owner finding out. She was so mad that she took the group to their headmaster where they were whacked with the cane. The sweet shop owner was horrible to them: yelling “Yah!!! Whack ‘em! Whack ‘em until they fall to the ground praying for you to stop!” I learned a lot from that scene.
Overall, this book has also shown me that Roald Dahl’s life was just as funny, crazy, and wonderful as the stories he wrote.
Boy is a hilarious yet heart-warming novel going through all of the incredible events in Dahl’s life. The book essentially is a timeline of Roald Dahl’s life: starting from him as a four-year-old in kindergarten and then expands the story into him as a high-school student.
This book has taught me how strict and harsh the olden days were. I thought this especially when in one chapter; nine-year-old Dahl and his group of friends put a dead rat into the horrible sweet shop owner’s jar of lollies. This resulted in the owner finding out. She was so mad that she took the group to their headmaster where they were whacked with the cane. The sweet shop owner was horrible to them: yelling “Yah!!! Whack ‘em! Whack ‘em until they fall to the ground praying for you to stop!” I learned a lot from that scene.
Overall, this book has also shown me that Roald Dahl’s life was just as funny, crazy, and wonderful as the stories he wrote.
July 2, 2022
4.5
this is overall an extremely interesting book. roald dahi is one of my fav writer so i was really excited to read his autobiography and know more about his life.
the book is divided in two parts. in the first part he talks about his young life from age 6 till high school. the second part is my fav he talk about his life after high school and what he decided to do with it. it's really amuses me that he had all this adventures and he visited many countries.
i know that everyone have their diffiicltly in life but i feel roald went through many things and he was a really hard working person.
although this is a non fiction book but roald wrote it as if he is writing his own story like his other fiction books. i hope this makes sense. if you are a fan of his work i highly recommend to read his autobiography :(🤍🤍
this is overall an extremely interesting book. roald dahi is one of my fav writer so i was really excited to read his autobiography and know more about his life.
the book is divided in two parts. in the first part he talks about his young life from age 6 till high school. the second part is my fav he talk about his life after high school and what he decided to do with it. it's really amuses me that he had all this adventures and he visited many countries.
i know that everyone have their diffiicltly in life but i feel roald went through many things and he was a really hard working person.
although this is a non fiction book but roald wrote it as if he is writing his own story like his other fiction books. i hope this makes sense. if you are a fan of his work i highly recommend to read his autobiography :(🤍🤍
February 8, 2015
A simply charming book that reflects the both the simplicities and complexities that come with living life in the past. It contains come crude humour because of the way life was structured back then but overall is a pleasing book that one can read at any time. Note that for younger readers the "Boy" section of the book is suitable, but the second section contains some unfortunate information because of the time and place of when it is set.
August 9, 2017
Boring boring oh and I forgot it's boring
It was boring it was boring but it was pretty bad
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring but it was pretty bad
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring
It was boring it was boring
April 18, 2019
When I was reading Boy, it was very amusing. But as I read Going Solo, the story started to get serious. However it ended beautifully, I cried. I really enjoyed reading the book and secretly hoping if he could wrote the book a bit longer.
July 23, 2021
This was my favorite Roald Dahl book. One of the best books I have ever read.
November 6, 2022
Fascinating to find out how the author's childhood experiences have inspired some of the most imaginative books I read as a child. Interesting account of his early life.
November 1, 2020
While I was reminiscing over my childhood, the name of Roald Dahl came flashing into my mind. As a child, Dahl’s outlandish stories with his slightly twisted and inappropriate sense of humor fascinated me. I felt that I should read about his real-life to know what inspired these stories. What was the inspiration behind that strange but entertaining and whacky mind?
And I was not surprised. Since childhood, Dahl’s life was anything but normal. His bold escapades with his friends and family in his childhood seem to act as fodder for his stories for children.
To not be mistaken, if his childhood adventures gave his stories jocular twists, his later years in the RAF, fighting the Second World War add somberness to his stories. He describes his years during the war with apparent nonchalance, but it is impossible to not be mightily influenced by his experiences during the war. From fighting the Luftwaffe in Greece, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and other European countries to himself being shot, he did it all. Not knowing if he would stay alive to see the next dawn he moved around throughout the continent.
His only sources of strength it seems were, his adventure-seeking spirit, and his intermittent correspondence with his mother with whom he shared an intimate bond The hope to see her after all the fighting must have prodded him along during hopeless times.
For those who relished his stories as kids, this book will provide closure to the delightfully weird world Roald Dahl introduced us to.
And I was not surprised. Since childhood, Dahl’s life was anything but normal. His bold escapades with his friends and family in his childhood seem to act as fodder for his stories for children.
To not be mistaken, if his childhood adventures gave his stories jocular twists, his later years in the RAF, fighting the Second World War add somberness to his stories. He describes his years during the war with apparent nonchalance, but it is impossible to not be mightily influenced by his experiences during the war. From fighting the Luftwaffe in Greece, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and other European countries to himself being shot, he did it all. Not knowing if he would stay alive to see the next dawn he moved around throughout the continent.
His only sources of strength it seems were, his adventure-seeking spirit, and his intermittent correspondence with his mother with whom he shared an intimate bond The hope to see her after all the fighting must have prodded him along during hopeless times.
For those who relished his stories as kids, this book will provide closure to the delightfully weird world Roald Dahl introduced us to.
February 22, 2025
Na al zijn fictie en kinderboeken te hebben gelezen, kon ik niet onder dit laatste boek uit, zijn autobiografie: een relaas vanaf zijn kindertijd tot aan zijn heldhaftige periode als RAF piloot.
Opnieuw kwam ik in de typische Dahl stijl en sfeer: aangenaam beeldend en met een perfect gevoel voor timing qua spanningsopbouw.
Vooral zijn kindertijd op de diverse scholen vol tucht en lijfstraffen, en met de nodige malle onrechtvaardige meesters, las als een akelige maar ook enerverende periode waaruit hij ongetwijfeld heeft geput voor het boek "Mathilda".
Dahl biedt de lezer in zijn autobiografie echter amper reflecties. Het bevat verhalen uit zijn leven die hij smakelijk oplepelt, maar soms ook overdrijft. Dat gevoel had ik doorlopend en dit werd bevestigd toen hij schreef over een rivier van wel honderd meter breed waar hij een uur lang met auto en al op een vlot overheen werd gesleept. Maar dit boek bevat ook foto's van zijn hand en een pagina later zag ik het desbetreffende stroompje, met de naam erbij, van hooguit 15 meter breed.
Hij kon het dus niet laten ook in zijn levensverhaal de verbeelding te laten galopperen.
Zijn autobiografie leest als een zeer aantrekkelijk, soms pijnlijk, maar bijna altijd avontuurlijk en dapper jongensboek. Als je de intensiteit (en mogelijk ook de waarheid) met een korreltje zout neemt, lees je een vermakelijk en fraai Dahl boek.
Opnieuw kwam ik in de typische Dahl stijl en sfeer: aangenaam beeldend en met een perfect gevoel voor timing qua spanningsopbouw.
Vooral zijn kindertijd op de diverse scholen vol tucht en lijfstraffen, en met de nodige malle onrechtvaardige meesters, las als een akelige maar ook enerverende periode waaruit hij ongetwijfeld heeft geput voor het boek "Mathilda".
Dahl biedt de lezer in zijn autobiografie echter amper reflecties. Het bevat verhalen uit zijn leven die hij smakelijk oplepelt, maar soms ook overdrijft. Dat gevoel had ik doorlopend en dit werd bevestigd toen hij schreef over een rivier van wel honderd meter breed waar hij een uur lang met auto en al op een vlot overheen werd gesleept. Maar dit boek bevat ook foto's van zijn hand en een pagina later zag ik het desbetreffende stroompje, met de naam erbij, van hooguit 15 meter breed.
Hij kon het dus niet laten ook in zijn levensverhaal de verbeelding te laten galopperen.
Zijn autobiografie leest als een zeer aantrekkelijk, soms pijnlijk, maar bijna altijd avontuurlijk en dapper jongensboek. Als je de intensiteit (en mogelijk ook de waarheid) met een korreltje zout neemt, lees je een vermakelijk en fraai Dahl boek.
July 13, 2023
3 stars
My usual rule of thumb for biographies and memoirs is that they’re only as good as the story the author has to tell. Unfortunately, I stand corrected on this one, as I found Going Solo to be a rather disappointing telling of what should be a fascinating story. Dahl’s time in the Royal Air Force fighting in WWII seems like it could be great material for an autobiography, but I think that it was too bogged down in old timey stoicism to truly get to the meat of the story. Going Solo was mostly listing out the events that happened to Dahl with very little reflection or elaboration on his part, which is bizarre considering that actively fighting in a war and seeing your comrades die should be a very intense experience. Instead Dahl appears to have just soldiered on through the losses and stress without them affecting him at all. I believe this is very much a product of masculinity during the time he grew up in, but it definitely makes for a pretty surface level and bland auto biography.
Boy was also fine and largely uninteresting.
My usual rule of thumb for biographies and memoirs is that they’re only as good as the story the author has to tell. Unfortunately, I stand corrected on this one, as I found Going Solo to be a rather disappointing telling of what should be a fascinating story. Dahl’s time in the Royal Air Force fighting in WWII seems like it could be great material for an autobiography, but I think that it was too bogged down in old timey stoicism to truly get to the meat of the story. Going Solo was mostly listing out the events that happened to Dahl with very little reflection or elaboration on his part, which is bizarre considering that actively fighting in a war and seeing your comrades die should be a very intense experience. Instead Dahl appears to have just soldiered on through the losses and stress without them affecting him at all. I believe this is very much a product of masculinity during the time he grew up in, but it definitely makes for a pretty surface level and bland auto biography.
Boy was also fine and largely uninteresting.
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