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imogroos's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ellejaoy's review against another edition
5.0
Haha what a vulgar book. I was not expecting such a book from Roald Dahl who wrote my favourite books as a child. It shows just what a talented author he was. As much as I enjoyed it, I can't say much for the ending. It felt weak, sudden and more or less a disappointment.
dramakriss's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rockchicken's review against another edition
4.0
This book is one of my favorites of all time. This book got me into reading English books. Loved it.
thebobsphere's review against another edition
5.0
What was so controversial about this book? When I was 15 I didn't want my parents to see it, so I would close the door of my bedroom and sneak reads.
Unfortunately My Uncle Oswald only caters for the 15 year old mind. It's puerile, badly written and repetitive BUT when you are in the throes of adolescence this is a perfect book to read.
Uncle Oswald is the character introduced in a couple of previous short stories. Dahl portrays him as a bon vivant, epicure and a first class womaniser. This particular story is about Oswald discovering a beetle which works as an aphrodisiac. He plots to collect the sperm off famous people like Einstein. Picasso etc and then create a sperm bank for rich mothers who think they will sire geniuses.
In order to carry out his plot Oswald hires the astounding Yasmin to sleep with famous men and collect their sperm in a condom, freeze it in a contraption built by a professor friend of Oswald's and hand it in for safekeeping.
The rest of the book is all about the celebrity encounters and Yasmin's experience with them. There are some variations - like Yasmin dressing up like a male to seduce Proust, or not giving in the goods when she sleeps with Puccini but the majority of them follow the same structure. - Seduce- anecdote - goods are collected.
However this being a Dahl story there is the nasty sting and it does occur. Im sure you can guess.
So although I have been negative why did I give it five stars?
Well the reason is because there's a nostalgic factor. I had tons of fun reading it as a 15 year old. When I bought the book again when I was 18 I found it boring so I suggest to read it once. I have a feeling that if you want to pass 45 minutes or so of fluffy fun then read My Uncle Oswald, if not stick to Dahl's short stories and children's books - they are better.
Unfortunately My Uncle Oswald only caters for the 15 year old mind. It's puerile, badly written and repetitive BUT when you are in the throes of adolescence this is a perfect book to read.
Uncle Oswald is the character introduced in a couple of previous short stories. Dahl portrays him as a bon vivant, epicure and a first class womaniser. This particular story is about Oswald discovering a beetle which works as an aphrodisiac. He plots to collect the sperm off famous people like Einstein. Picasso etc and then create a sperm bank for rich mothers who think they will sire geniuses.
In order to carry out his plot Oswald hires the astounding Yasmin to sleep with famous men and collect their sperm in a condom, freeze it in a contraption built by a professor friend of Oswald's and hand it in for safekeeping.
The rest of the book is all about the celebrity encounters and Yasmin's experience with them. There are some variations - like Yasmin dressing up like a male to seduce Proust, or not giving in the goods when she sleeps with Puccini but the majority of them follow the same structure. - Seduce- anecdote - goods are collected.
However this being a Dahl story there is the nasty sting and it does occur. Im sure you can guess.
So although I have been negative why did I give it five stars?
Well the reason is because there's a nostalgic factor. I had tons of fun reading it as a 15 year old. When I bought the book again when I was 18 I found it boring so I suggest to read it once. I have a feeling that if you want to pass 45 minutes or so of fluffy fun then read My Uncle Oswald, if not stick to Dahl's short stories and children's books - they are better.
bandthebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jon288's review
3.0
Somewhat troubling subject matter- it's all a little bit rapey. But funny and well written, and with some brilliant set pieces and asides
tboltkid's review against another edition
4.0
READ THIS. definitely not for kids, light-hearted, and extravagant
cloe_vetsuypens's review against another edition
4.0
Ik wist dat Roald Dahl kinderverhalen schreef. Zo las ik als kind het prachtige Matilda. Maar onlangs kwam ik erachter dat hij ook voor volwassenen heeft geschreven.
Bijgevolg waagde ik mij aan My Uncle Oswald. Een hilarische, plezierige leeservaring omwille van de gekke tot banale situaties in combinatie met een verfijnd tot soms zelfs 'poshy' taalgebruik.
Ik raad My Uncle Oswald iedereen aan! Binnenkort waag ik mij aan één van zijn volgende verhalen.
Bijgevolg waagde ik mij aan My Uncle Oswald. Een hilarische, plezierige leeservaring omwille van de gekke tot banale situaties in combinatie met een verfijnd tot soms zelfs 'poshy' taalgebruik.
Ik raad My Uncle Oswald iedereen aan! Binnenkort waag ik mij aan één van zijn volgende verhalen.