Skip to main content

Happy Birthday Roald Dahl

On what would have been Roald Dahl's 90th birthday, it seems fitting to pause and marvel at one of the finest writers Britain has ever produced.

Easily my favourite author as a child, Dahl's books are as captivating as they are surreal; beautifully eccentric characters amongst a world of random extremes and magical wonder. At the heart of Dahl's work is often a dark macabre humour; there's the comedy of a bearded man who manages to contain half his lunch in his beard, or a drink that makes you fly by control of bottom burps, mixed amongst witches, cruel aunts, orphans, and brutal teachers. The world is hilarious, but not always fair, and yet there is a hope that the miraculous can happen to those who are good people.

Essentially, Dahl's books may embrace the fantastical - giants, witches, yet there's an underlying reality to the harshness of real life. His children protagonists often find themselves in horrid situations, through no fault of their own. But it is the belief in hope that shines through as strongly as the Trunchbull herself.

But what made Dahl's writing so engaging, arguably, was his uncanny knack for tapping into the child's point of view, understanding how children view life, their surroundings, and adults. He wrote for children, rather than at them. Adult characters in Dahl's books are often shockingly appalling creatures; cruel, mean, tyrannical (although even some younger characters behave in terrible ways, usually corrupted by the evil adults). The situations his protagonists find themselves in are often horrific, ready to make the reader want to leap behind the sofa for fear of a 60 foot sinister grandma or the giantess Trunchbull flexing her muscles.

Roald Dahl's books were so beautifully textured and descriptive. Dahl paints elaborate pictures of hilariously outrageous human beings (or beans as the BFG would say), comical and yet equally terrifying. Perfect to ignite a child's artistry, or adult for that matter.

His stories were a creative red rag to a dormant bull of imagination to whoever read them. And taught us to embrace the magic of life, even if it was often, just a little bit scary.

Comments

Anonymous said…
"Matilda" was always my favourite book. I was probably 7 years old when I first read it. I really identified with her as she was as obsessed with books as I was at the time. In fact, after reading the book I'd always take a mug of hot chocolate into my room with me whenever I read. :) And I wanted a teacher like Miss Honey...

Hayley
John Greenaway said…
Guy was a genius, especially as pretty different to those who went before him.

Sort of mandatory to read as Cardiffians - we even had to read "Boy" at school.
Sian said…
Yes Matilda was my favourite. But also The Twits, and to be honest, I loved all the books. But there was something about Matilda.

I blame Roald Dahl for my love of the macabre weird. Snozzcumber!

Popular posts from this blog

Confirmed - I Like Trash

The other day, I took a photograph. On reflection of it, I have come to the conclusion that I am a little odd. Well, I've known that for a while, but was in denial. (And people who know me will wonder why it's taken me this long to realise...) When out and about, I often seem to find things that amuse me. These could be odd objects left behind or abandoned, silly graffiti that just makes me laugh, or just something bizarre and random. I like to photograph them. I was out walking and spotted this discarded shopping list...as soon as I saw it, I realised there was something about it that really tickled me. I wasn't exactly sure why, but I just knew it did. So I had to photograph it, even just on my camera phone, to preserve it's quirkiness before it disappeared off into the wind, or disintegrated by rain and other elements, never to be seen by human eyes again. The idea of that almost upsets me. Which is why I realise I am rather odd. What is it about an unwanted shopping...

Gabriel Yared Came to Wales

Gabriel Yared performed a concert at the Millennium Centre on Friday night. Accompanied by the world class BBC Symphony Orchestra of Wales, Gabriel played a selection of his beautiful scores for films such as The English Patient , Betty Blue , Cold Mountain and my personal favourite, The Talented Mr Ripley . It was a heartfelt tribute to the late film director Anthony Minghella, who collaborated with Yared for many films. When I first became seriously interested in music, it was through film and soundtracks that this love grew from. I must confess I was never much of a classical music fan either, until I started watching more films. One of the first classical composers I began to appreciate was Beethoven, (rather alarmingly you might say) because of Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange . I guess this makes me rather Alex-esque. But I promise I am not into 'ultra-violence'. But soundtracks awakened my love of music. Which had always been there, but had been lying dormant. The Talen...

Snowdonia

Sudden vast beasts wall the scape, Gone are greens, now reds do drape; Moist air so still, yet majestic, proud, Rocky streams gush force and loud. Bony trees, clawed and long, Mountain King Peacock struts and strong, Artery dry stones reach so high, They pathway up beyond the sky. The mist above clouds darkened dream, Crystal water so pure, barely seen, O now understanding why Eryri gave blame, Resplendent dramatics inspired Ray of Light, his name. I wish I was the mist that swirls the air, I wish I was the peak that towers to dare, I wish I was the force of beauty that all can see; I wish I was the feeling of so meant to be.