Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was born in Wales of Norwegian
parents. He spent his childhood in England and, at age eighteen,
went to work for the Shell Oil Company in Africa. When World War II
broke out, he joined the Royal Air Force and became a fighter
pilot. At the age of twenty-six he moved to Washington, D.C., and
it was there he began to write. His first short story, which
recounted his adventures in the war, was bought by The
Saturday Evening Post, and so began a long and illustrious
career.
After establishing himself as a writer for adults, Roald Dahl began
writing children’s stories in 1960 while living in England with his
family. His first stories were written as entertainment for his own
children, to whom many of his books are dedicated.
Roald Dahl is now considered one of the most beloved storytellers
of our time. Although he passed away in 1990, his popularity
continues to increase as his fantastic novels, including James
and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The BFG, and Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory, delight an ever-growing legion of
fans.
Learn more about Roald Dahl on the official Roald Dahl Web
site: www.roalddahl.com
Roald Dahl has done it again. . . . Matilda will surely go straight to children's hearts. (The New York Times Book Review)
Matilda is an extraordinarily gifted four-year-old whose parentsa crass, dishonest used-car dealer and a self-centered, blowsy bingo addictregard her as ``nothing more than a scab.'' Life with her beastly parents is bearable only because Matilda teaches herself to read, finds the public library, and discovers literature. Also, Matilda loves using her lively intelligence to perpetrate daring acts of revenge on her father. This pastime she further develops when she enrolls in Crunchem Hall Primary School, whose headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, is ``a fierce tyrannical monster . . . .'' Adults may cringe at Dahl's excesses in describing the cruel Miss Trunchbull, as well as his reliance on overextended characterization at the expense of plot development. Children, however, with their keenly developed sense of justice, will relish the absolutes of stupidity, greed, evil and might versus intelligence, courage and goodness. They also will sail happily through the contrived, implausible ending. Dahl's phenomenal popularity among children speaks for his breathless storytelling charms; his fans won't be disappointed by Matilda. Blake's droll pen-and-ink sketches extend the exaggerated humor. Ages 9-11. (Oct.)
Roald Dahl has done it again. . . . Matilda will surely go straight to children's hearts. (The New York Times Book Review)
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