Roald Dahl: The Making of Modern Children's Literature

In this evenhanded 1998 BBC portrait, several interested parties—including Roald Dahl (1916-1990) himself—discuss the life and work of the famed children's author. Narrated by Harriet Walter, the profile features readings from Sir Ian Holm, Dahl's Oscar-winning ex-wife Patricia Neal (Hud), and Dahl's grandchildren Clover and Luke Kelly. Roald (pronounced “Rü-ahl”) also reads from 1961's James and the Giant Peach and 1982's Revolting Rhymes. While his sisters talk about their childhood in Wales, other speakers—including classmates, neighbors, publishers, and illustrators—discuss Dahl's years at boarding school, as an oil man in Africa, as a pilot in the RAF, as a short-story writer in New York, and as a family man in England, where his literary efforts finally caught on with the world at large. Friend and headmaster John Wilkinson describes the bestselling author as both “big kid” and “master of the macabre.” Regarding the latter, daughter Ophelia Dahl explains, “He liked to shock, because life was shocking.” A fine introduction to a towering talent whose works—including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and The BFG—are staples of modern children's literature, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (K. Fennessy)