Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl (September 13, 1916 – November 23, 1990) was a British novelist and short story author of Norwegian descent, famous as a writer for both children and adults. Among his most popular books are Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Witches and Kiss Kiss.

Children's fiction

Dahl's works for children are usually told from the point of view of a child, typically involve adult villainesses, who hate and mistreat children, and feature at least one "good" adult to counteract the villain(s). They usually contain a lot of black humor and grotesque scenarios, including gruesome violence. The Witches and Matilda are two examples of this formula. The BFG follows it in a more analogical way with the good giant (the BFG or "Big Friendly Giant") representing the "good adult" archetype and the other giants being the "bad adults." This formula is also somewhat evident in Dahl's film script for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Related Topics:
Black humor - The Witches - Matilda - The BFG - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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Children's stories

• The Gremlins (1943)
• James and the Giant Peach (1961) Made into a live-action/animated film in 1996.
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) Film versions: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
• The Magic Finger (1966)
• Fantastic Mr Fox (1970)
• Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator (1972) A sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
• Danny the Champion of the World (1975) Made into a live-action film, starring Jeremy Irons in 1989.
• The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More (1977)
• The Enormous Crocodile (1978)
• The Twits (1980)
• George's Marvelous Medicine (1981)
• The BFG (1982) Made into an animated film in 1989.
• The Witches (1983) Made into a film The Witches starring Anjelica Huston in 1990.
• The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (1985)
• Matilda (1988) Made into a live-action film 'Matilda' in 1996.
• Esio Trot (1989)
• The Minpins (1991)
• The Vicar of Nibbleswicke (1991)

Children's poetry

• Revolting Rhymes (1982)
• Dirty Beasts (1983)
• Rhyme Stew (1989)