Roald Dahl: A Pathfinder
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Introduction: Roald Dahl (1916-1990) is best known as an
author of children’s books like Charlie
and Chocolate Factory and The BFG,
but he was also a prolific writer of adult fiction – in fact, that is where his
career started. Many adults have no idea that he has written for an audience
that is tall enough to ride rollercoasters, or that
his credits include short stories, a play, and several screenplays. His short
stories are excellently written and exceedingly enjoyable. They can also be
rather disturbing, full of twisted behavior and surprise endings.
Dahl flew for the Royal Air Force during World War II, and began to write about his experiences not long after he was grounded following a crash. These stories were collected in Over to You in 1946 and also served as the basis of his autobiography, Going Solo (1986). His childhood is related in another autobiography, Boy (1985). As his writing grew more imaginative he turned to writing short stories that were published in magazines from Harper’s Bazaar to Playboy, and later published in several collections including Kiss, Kiss (1969), Switch Bitch (1974), and Tales of the Unexpected (1979). He won the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America three times.
Scope: This
pathfinder is intended for adults who may remember enjoying Roald Dahl as
children and who are interested in learning more about Roald Dahl’s life and
his body of literature for adults, specifically his short story collections.
Information sources covered will include biographical texts and literary
criticisms. The items mentioned in this pathfinder can be found at the Davis
Library at UNC Chapel Hill, the SILS Library at UNC Chapel Hill, and many can also be found at the
Dahl, Roald
Dahl, Roald.
Dahl, Roald - Collected short stories of Roald Dahl.
Dahl, Roald - Criticism and interpretation.
Dahl, Roald – Interviews.
Dahl, Roald - Short stories.
Dahl, Roald – Short stories – Selections.
PR6054.A35
Created by Shauna Griffin. Last modified
12/03.
UNC-Chapel Hill School of Information and
Library Science
