TELLER OF THE UNEXPECTED: The Life of Roald Dahl

A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week, this is the unofficial biography of Roald Dahl, and a superb psychological study of a literary genius. The biographer 'devotes a large chunk of his book to Dahl's Norwegian family and schooldays, their combination of warmth, tragedy, inspiration and savagery is brilliantly evoked which makes you feel a grudging admiration for a bully whose self-belief was in a way, heroic.' - Sunday Times. How did Dahl come up with the idea to write novels for children like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG or Matilda? Read about his partnership with the great illustrator Quentin Blake which began in 1976 and lasted beyond Roald's death. Dahl was certainly one of the world's greatest storytellers. He considered his vocation to be as bold and exciting as an explorer's, and in his writing for children he was able to tap into a child's viewpoint throughout his life. He crafted tales that were exotic in scenario, frequently invested with a moral, and filled with many iconic literary characters. One for all wordsmiths and with a nice selection of archive and colour photos. 264 page paperback.