I can't believe this is a book by Roald Dahl

Even though I am a big fan of Roald Dahl's, I have to say, DO NOT READ My Uncle Oswald. Just don't. Seriously. The ONLY redeeming quality of this book is this quote: “I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.”  ― Roald Dahl, My Uncle Oswald

That's what drew me to the story in the first place. But other than this one quote in the whole book, it is complete and utter trash. All the other reviewers who said don't read it are dead on.

Sorry, Dahl. It's just too risque.

Roald Dahl's Adult Stories

I LOVE the adult stories of Roald Dahl!!!  It wasn't until a few short years ago that I even knew that he had written adult stories of any kind.  I'd always known him to be the author of many of my favorite children's books, my favorite being THE BFG!  I don't even remember what I was doing that I came across this information, but out of the blue, I learned that September 13 is Roald Dahl Day!  Dahl's birthday.  Since my birthday is September 14, that's close enough for me to feel a deeper connection with one of my favorite authors than I had previously!  So in honor of Roald Dahl Day, once I'd learned that there was such a thing, I wanted to celebrate in some way in my classes.  I did a quick internet search to see if he had any short stories I could read in class and lo and behold, there were his adult short stories!!!  The one I read in class that year was "The Landlady."  Who knew Dahl had such a twisted sense of humor in the adult world?!  We all knew how amazing his children's literature is, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that his adult literature was just as amazing and twisted!  So reading a whole book of his short stories, THE GREAT AUTOMATIC GRAMMATIZATOR AND OTHER STORIES, was pure joy for me.  I can't wait for Roald Dahl Day September 15, 2015 when I'll read another of Dahl's adult short stories to my students!!!

http://www.roalddahl.com/create-and-learn/join-in/roald-dahl-day

Happy Late Roald Dahl Day!

I started re-reading THE BFG a few weeks ago in honor of "Roald Dahl Day."  THE BFG is my favorite Dahl book, so it was awesome to revisit it.  Of course, it's just the strangest thing that a giant reaches in to an orphanage, kidnaps a little girl, and when he takes her back to England, no one questions the kidnapping!  And, even though Sophie has only known the BFG for one day, they've already connected such that she looks at him as a father and he at her as a daughter....even though half the time, the BFG is accusing Sophie of being rude, interrupting and/or correcting him all the time. 

No matter what, though, I love Dahl!  I wish I'd been more aware of him when I was younger because he was alive when I was in high school and just starting college.  I could have gone to a book signing or something like that if I'd been paying better attention!  Oh well.  At least now I can appreciate him and his works as they deserve to be....!!!

I sure hope everyone gets a chance to pick up and read ANY Roald Dahl book as soon as you can!