Saturday, February 24, 2018

Not Dull at All - Dahl for the Young

Last saturday, on the Facebook Page, Writer Rites, the daily literary article, short story and poem showcased three writers, each embodying a specific mode or modes of humour. 

Roald Dahl's sinister hues coloured many a world view, for sure. Here's a rather long glimpse of the fascinating life of a fascianting writer:
The Marvellous World of Roald Dahl BBC Documentary 2016

George Mikes giggled us around the globe.   
How To Be An Alien Audiobook | George Mikes

Seuss bent our world with defining words and graphics. 
Mini Bio: Dr. Seuss

One fascinating detail about all literary genius is that it is bountiful. Profuse output characterises Dahl, Mikes and Seuss too. And so I have to offer them to you all pre-chopped up - just like my father would do for me with food when I was little. Fried egg, French fries, fried tomato, toast - all cut up, bite size. 

And talking of little, I met my first Dahl for children with my son when he was a little boy. And we both seem to concur that it was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

There appear to be films of the story - not just one but at least two. There, most probably, are movies or filmed versions of other Dahls for children as well.

Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (1971) Official Trailer

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Official Trailer 

And, of course, there's the book:

The Wikipedia entry for children's books by Dahl comes to some 22. And that must make it a tough choice for when one goes shopping to buy a young friend or relative a book as gift. 

Pages such as Roald Dahl's 11 best — and worst — children's books, ranked form a useful resource for such an endeavour. And, when I last looked, it's still a fairly respectable and acceptable gift for a young person.

Unfortunately. I'm sorry to admit that a Dahl of any sort would not figure first or high on my list of books for the very young. That does not mean that I do not like the author or his works. 

After all, he is a very natural descendent of the grim Grimms Brothers, in his own bizarre sort of way. 

It's not just prose that he has output for a young readership. He has poems on animals and insects and reptiles as well as parodies of fairy tales which are just more evidence that here is a writer who earns his place in the galaxy of the stars of literature.
Roald Dahl - The Ant Eater

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Having strolled you through Roald for the kids, I plan, tomorrow, to introduce you to his writings for adults. 

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