Followers of Dahl

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory inspired by way of the master of glass, though you're free to imagine as you dare.

( Take a walk on the wild side. )



Start wearing purple, wearing purple
Start wearing purple for me now
All your sanity and wits they will all vanish
I promise, it's just a matter of time...

-Gogol Bordello

*Click image for full size or download.

A few years ago, I was listening to one of Roald Dahl's fabulous stories from his "Tales of the Unexpected" series.  Unfortunatly, at the time I was driving and lost reception on the radio at the time, so I've been left in a cliff hanger for a few years and I'm hoping someone out there will no the name of the story...

All I can remember is a man was in a cupboard or a wardrobe.. He was locked in, and couldn't get out.  I have flicked through several of RD's stories and can't find it... Does this ring a vague bell with anyone?  And if so, what story is it, and why on earth was the man locked in the cupboard in the first place?!

Thanks in advance!

I'd heard about these banned illustrations, but hadn't seen them until I came across this old Japanese publication of the book, thought it might be interesting to others as well.

The evolution of this children's book in relation to society implores further consideration in many ways, including this one. Personally, I'm very impressed with how Tim Burton kept this original concept in tact while avoiding an immediate comparison to African-American slaves (the singing and crates being especially provocative in that regard).

The first movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Facatory, used the infamous orange/white/green complexions to deliberately avoid potential accusations/objections of racism. Later publications changed the appearance of the workers to be extremely Northern European looking, resembling closer the idea of fairies, Leprechauns or elves. At this point, I'd say they've become a melange of all these concepts but their origin is indicative of history and therefore shouldn't be forgotten.

Oompa-Loompa-Doopitty-doo!

I was reading some articles online today and came across this one on NPR about a Belgian tattoo artist who literally sold the skin off another man's back.  Well, actually the purchaser has the rights to remove the image after the man's death. 
Anyway, I recalled a Roald Dahl story that I read years ago called "Skin" (1952), which has eerie similarities.  I won't give it away, in case some haven't read it, needless to say I have the creeps just thinking about it.

Hello, by the way, as this is my first post!  I'm a big fan of Roald Dahl's stories for adult readers because they seem to live on that thin line between disturbing and thought-provoking.  I became a vegetarian shortly after reading "Pig" (1959) and I think that if I ever live in a place that allows cats I will surely name mine Liszt. ;)

I would like to be 10 for one day and have all the time in the world, free from chores, just to read Dahl favourites. Read and read.

And do this again, another day.

And another day.

That's the real childhood, for me.

SNOZZCUMBERS FOR EVERYONE~!

Hey, everyone:

Sorry my post is late.  I have loved Roald Dahl since I was a kid, and have not found one book of his that I haven't loved. My first experience with his creative genius was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but I also loved James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and The BFG.  Most recently, I took a Young Adult Literature course and had the pleasure of reading Matilda and The Witches for the first time.  Mr. Dahl made a remarkable indent on the world and we are better for having read him.

I Loved his books since someone gave me the Story of Henry Sugar and Six Others when I was 6. My aunt thought I'd like the twisted tales of the man who learned to read through playing cards, the boy tormented by older children,and the story of a man who discovered a treasure in a frozen field. Piece of Cake was curious.
But best of all, I loved Boy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROALD DAHL!!



Hope everyone has a scrumdidliumptious day :)

i need to get my hands on some of the books found in the roald dahl website! i've always enjoyed the children's classics when i was a child, now that i'm an adult, i seem to enjoy them even more, prolly because my ability to absorb the descriptions of every character and detail is better now. i'm glad i've found this community, especially on the late mr dahl's birthday :)

everyone should read the BFG!

My first experience with Roald Dahl came when I was seven.  My second grade teacher read us Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Oh how I love his books.  I don't know how many times I've read Revolting Rhymes.  I think I was around eight when I first read them.  I have not read them all by any stretch of the imagination, but this gives me so much to look forward to.
Happy Birthday you beautifully twisted man!

Roald Dahl's stories filled my childhood with joy - for my second birthday, someone (who's name escapes me) bought me [for the future - I was two.] a collectors edition of his books. I have read them all bar about four and I still love them to this day - Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory & The Magic Finger still give me a sense of release when I read them, even though I'm 16 and it's been nearly 9 years since I first read them. 
When we studied A Lamb to the Slaughter in English class, I was shocked but pleasantly surprised to be reading and allowed to discuss a short story by such a brilliant man.
His stories are so bright and alive - every child should read them, if just to fall in love with them. 

Roald Dahl is one of the gifted writers who inspired my love of the written word. My dog-eared copy of Going Solo has transported me over and over to exotic places and introduced me to fantastic and eccentric characters.

The world he inhabited is gone but between the pages of his books a dangerous and mysterious universe, filled with absurdity and possibility, lives on.

Hello i just joined! I really liked his book Two Fables, especially Princess Mammalia, I really liked A Lamb To Slaughter, Matilda, Eso Trot, etc. I am going to re-read Eso Trot.

Having just noticed this community, I immediately raced to join and post.

Roald Dahl is one of my heroes, I must admit. After all, the first chapter book I ever learned to read was James and the Giant Peach.

I am 18 now, and so far of his works I have read James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, The Witches (another of my favorites), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. I hope someday to own and/or have read all of his stories.

So expect more posts in the future here!

I love Roald Dahl. After reading Boy over and over, I decided to go to Norway to see if it lived up to what I thought it was like from his writings. I'm 17, and still learning the language. :)

When I saw this community I had to join!
Between Mr. Dahl and Shel Silverstein, my childhood sense of the absurd was fully formulated!
I still own every single one of his books, including his adult literature. (The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Other Tales is enough to break a break a brain.
Now, as a 30-something, I still return to his work on a constant basis, both for joyous, youthful wonder and sly, class-struggle sarcasm.
To you, Mr. Dahl, a true genious! We miss you!

I just discovered this community. I just wanted to let everyone know that I have found some of his books at garage sales. The ones with a * are the ones I found at garage sales.
The Witches* Charlie and the Chocolate Factory* James and the Giant Peach.
I'm on the look out for his other books everytime I go to garage sales. Of course the people who sell the books, don't realize that they are collector's items, but that's ok with me.

Morgan

Quentin Blake prints!

http://www.art-of-illustration.co.uk/quentinblake/

(naturally, they cost a lot)