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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just so moving - he really is a master of the craft.
Full review at The Pluviophile Reader: http://wp.me/p3VFNP-27
3/5 stars.
ebook, 164 pages.
Read from December 16 to 24, 2013.
This collaboration of stories emphasizes Dahl's experiences as a flying ace for the RAF during World War II. I imagine that Dahl used many personal references and emotions in these stories, though from what I can find, from my very brief internet search, nothing specific has been directly referenced in the stories. Please feel free to comment if you know of a specific experience that has made it in one of these stories. Additionally, I also wonder if writing these stories was a method he inadvertently used to deal with his own dreadful experiences in the war. Regardless, his renditions of the flying ace at war are detailed and provoking.
Beware of the Dog was by far my favourite in this collaboration as it brought a situation to my attention that I would not have even considered, having never been a solider, and the sheer terror that would follow. The character in the story finds himself in hospital and he isn't sure what has happened, though he believes his plane has crashed. The nurse then proceeds to tell him where he is but other warning signs tell he may be elsewhere, like in enemy territory. In typical Dahl style, the reader is left not knowing if the main character is indeed in enemy territory or if he is just delusional and paranoid from the plane crash.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to see a more adult side to their favourite childhood author or anyone interested in WWII experiences.
3/5 stars.
ebook, 164 pages.
Read from December 16 to 24, 2013.
This collaboration of stories emphasizes Dahl's experiences as a flying ace for the RAF during World War II. I imagine that Dahl used many personal references and emotions in these stories, though from what I can find, from my very brief internet search, nothing specific has been directly referenced in the stories. Please feel free to comment if you know of a specific experience that has made it in one of these stories. Additionally, I also wonder if writing these stories was a method he inadvertently used to deal with his own dreadful experiences in the war. Regardless, his renditions of the flying ace at war are detailed and provoking.
Beware of the Dog was by far my favourite in this collaboration as it brought a situation to my attention that I would not have even considered, having never been a solider, and the sheer terror that would follow. The character in the story finds himself in hospital and he isn't sure what has happened, though he believes his plane has crashed. The nurse then proceeds to tell him where he is but other warning signs tell he may be elsewhere, like in enemy territory. In typical Dahl style, the reader is left not knowing if the main character is indeed in enemy territory or if he is just delusional and paranoid from the plane crash.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to see a more adult side to their favourite childhood author or anyone interested in WWII experiences.
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Roald Dahls language always sucks me straight into the story from the first sentence. These stories cover themes from his experience as a pilot in WW2. Each story has its own atmosphere and you never know what to expect or how the ending is going to make you feel!
I read Roald Dahl as a child...and even now, years on, he hasn't let me down. You find layers after layers of new meaning and nuance in his writing each time you come back to it, like coming back to a home that is even better. A lovely book of short stories at times sad, others sharp, but always wicked - wickedly human and biting and wonderful.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Prior to this collection of short stories, I had only been exposed to Dahl’s children’s books. I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. The stories were beautifully crafted, thrilling, and raw. I did not anticipate that some of them would connect with one another, but Dahl was able to masterfully weave together small pieces or characters into other stories.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
The stories are beautifully written and are very emotional. I think it's very eye opening to experience these stories about pilots in ww2. The low rating is due to the unnecessary racism throughout the short stories. I think if it gets published again this should be removed as it ruined the purpose of the book for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes