Bright Young Things discussion

Welcome to the non-fiction read for October:

Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl

I'm really looking forward to this one as I've loved his fiction even into adulthood but have never ventured into the non-fiction...

I only just discovered Dahl this year [I say discovered, I should say "read," as obviously I knew his name and titles and had seen films). I had the choice of reading non-fiction books "about" him or "by" him and selected [book:Boy|118178] and Going Solo. I was immediately charmed by "Boy" and thoroughly enjoyed the photos and scraps of letters home. This could eaisly have been subtitled "Never a Dull Moment." Can hardly wait to start discussing this.

I read 'Boy' about 4 years ago - full of warmth and humour and a fascinating insight into Dahl's early life.

Has anyone read his fiction?

I have read a number of his children books - thoroughly enjoyed them - especially James and the Giant Peach, The Witches and Matilda.

Has anyone read either of the recent biographical works about him? They are The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington and Storyteller: The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl.

Just wondering what our readers have thought of them.

I read this when I was a child myself and it was extremely exciting to see how he was influenced by his own riveting life to create some of the most wonderful children's stories the 20th century had to offer.

I'm just about to start this one... can't wait.

I'm probably skipping this one. I read one story of Dahl's which really turned my off. "White Man, Black Dog" or "Black Man, White Dog" or some similar title. And I just have heard bad things about him. Don't know whether any were true - whether he was racist or anti-semitic - I don't know.

I did see that Kindle has a Single out about his daughter - Ophelia - and she is apparently quite philanthropic, possibly involved in the UN. The Fair Ophelia by Ted Conover.

I do have The Irregulars but haven't really had time to get into it yet.

I think you'll be missing out. I thought this book was a wonderful read - as was the follow-up and also the children's literature. I don't know about him being racist; I do know he made some anti-Israeli Government remarks, followed by an anti-semitic comment. He was opinionated; but also a product of his time and of a different generation. The same can be said of H. G. Wells and Joseph Conrad and loads of other writers. There are no offensive remarks in "Boy."

I didn't think there would be offensive remarks in Boy. I just find him offensive.

Also, it is not on the Kindle so I'd need to go to the bookstore to see if I could find it there. And I just didn't have that much of a desire to read it.

Ah. Understood.

Jan C wrote: "I didn't think there would be offensive remarks in Boy. I just find him offensive.

I understand you perfectly, Jan. I did buy the book but it smells so strongly of perfume that I cannot read it (allergies). I won't bother to get another copy.

I finished this over the weekend and really enjoyed it. I used to read alot of his fiction to my children as they just loved it and it was so interesting to see how some of the characters in Boy have translated into the characters in his stories. I couldn't help but see The Trunchbull from Matilda in his Matron. Not to mention the chocolate tasting from Cadbury's being a big influence on his creation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Ivan, I've read most of his kid's books as well as a bunch of his adult short stories. I have both The Irregulars and Storyteller but haven't read either yet. When I'm reading so much non-fic/scholarly stuff for school, I don't really want to read more non-fic for pleasure... :/ I do plan on reading them both, but once I'm done with this MA, lol. :)

I'm with Ivan on him personally too. :/ While I do understand being put off of someone's writing because of their own personal opinions, etc., if you didn't read anything that was at all offensive I feel like there would be so much you're missing out on. Rather read it and learn from it and use it as a teachable moment. That's just my opinion though, I don't want to stir anything up, I've just seen this reaction to so many things lately. :/

I don't usually have this reaction. But we have read several children's books in a row. And this, to me, just sounded like more of the same.

Plus, it wasn't on kindle and would have required a trip to Barnes & Noble.

I understand that. It is curious there's been so much children's books lately... At least there's always two to choose from. :)

Boy - this cover is different - and that's important. Because the other covers make this look like a children's book, when in fact it is a book about Dalh's childhood - told from a grown-up point of view.

Yes, it's not really a kid's book, but I did first read it as a kid. The Quentin Blake illustrations def. help give it the kid's book feel. I don't remember feeling it was above me as a child though, but the adenoids bit still bugs me... lol

My grandfather used to do that. He was a surgeon in Chicago and would just make a house call - put the child on the kitchen table and take out their tonsils and/or adenoids. I know this because he took my father with him once when he was a little boy.

Yes, the illustrations give it that kid lit feel. Dahl has a great conversational style that makes his work very easy to read.

I finished this yesterday. I have to say that in this economic climate I was a tad annoyed to be reading about the childhood adventures of a rich boy but I soon got over that. You can certainly see the origin of The Twits in Mrs Pratchet and the origins of Trunchball in the matron. Norway also sounds idyllic. Overall a very enjoyable and quick read which has had me hankering after re-reading my favourite childhood stories!

Ivan wrote: "Has anyone read his fiction?

I have read a number of his children books - thoroughly enjoyed them - especially James and the Giant Peach, The Witches and [book:Matilda|39..."

You HAVE to read My Uncle Oswald. It always takes me forever because I laugh so much. Definitely not a kiddy read though, definitely a risqué subject.

I have thought about it. Right now I seem to have a tower of books beside my bed (I must finish at least two this week - wish me luck).

I know I've read it or at least part of it, but I can't figure out where... Maybe my book just has it by the chapter title that's extracted...? But I know I know the story. All of his stuff is so funny and so much catches you off guard. I love it. :)

RE: BOY - I loved the physical presentation - the photos and the cut out from letters he sent to his mum.