Reviews

The Best of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl

cpick's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny informative lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

horfhorfhorf's review against another edition

4.0

As always, I love a good short from our friend Roald. I realize there was a time and place wine his generalizations about women were seen as comedic instead of sexist, so I try to put those concerns to be while reading his work.

maraculous's review against another edition

5.0

Nice collection of short stories. Not what most would think of in connection with Roald Dahl. Certainly more twisted and sadistic than his well known novels for children. Meant for an adult audience,a and fun to read.

adamrbrooks's review against another edition

4.0

Dahl's short stories are interesting, especially in contrast to his books for children. In those, the protagonist often comes up with plots and schemes that succeed. In similar circumstances in these writings, they get thwarted more often (usually in the last few sentences of the story, abruptly).

Overall, I'd say it's less well done than a lot of, say, Bradbury. There are few gems (screaming flowers is nice), and it's interesting to see his changes as the collection moves forward in time.

However, some things never change, including a somewhat annoying penchant of the narrator of the story being very personal -- "I'm telling you this story because" -- even though it's not clear who that is. In one series, it's a character, but not one we ever learn anything about (except that he owns a filling station). Others, it's just a voice. Is it Dahl? Someone nearby? Hardly ever explained, which is grating.

fros86's review against another edition

4.0

I don't usually like reading collections of short stories, but this was brilliant. Very gruesome, as to be expected!

kerryfriesen's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

westminstergirlreads's review against another edition

3.0

Love Dahl-not thrilled so far

untitledlullaby's review against another edition

4.0

This doesn’t really stand the test of time but the writings good and some stories are really good some are just okay.

billybookmark's review

4.0

a lot of these stories centered around a bet which suited someone like me whos partial to a little paddy power
man from the south, dip in the pool and skin were personal favourites
thankfully dahl's anti semitism only shone with the story of hitler's miraculous birth

somelatenightreading's review against another edition

4.0

 Read 2023: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

-Madame Rosette: ⭐️⭐️
-Man from the South: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Sound Machine: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Taste: ⭐️⭐️.5
-Dip in the Pool: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Skin: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Edward the Conqueror: ⭐️⭐️
-Lamb to the Slaughter: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Galloping Foxley: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Way Up to Heaven: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Parson's Pleasure ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Landlady: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-William and Mary: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Royal Jelly: ⭐️⭐️.5
-Georgy Porgy: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Genesis and Catastrophe: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Pig ⭐️⭐️
-The Visitor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Claud's Dog, The Ratcatcher: ⭐️⭐️ (just plain cruel)
-Claud's Dog, Rummins: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Claud's Dog, Mr. Hoddy: ⭐️⭐️
-Claud's Dog, Mr. Feasey: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Clauds Dog, Champion of the World: ⭐️⭐️
-The Great Switcheroo: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Boy Who Talked with Animals: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Hitchhiker: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-The Bookseller: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️