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richirvine's review against another edition
4.0
Having read all of Dahl's autobiographical work (Boy, Going Solo, that How I Became A Writer bit in Henry Sugar), it was eye opening to read his biography.
Sturrock had access to Dahl's remaining family, and more importantly, his archives. Most of the real action in Dahl's life took place when he was tucked away in a caravan by himself with a blanket and a heater, writing his wonderful stories, for adults, then for children.
When not in his caravan, he looked after his family, took a keen interest in his business affairs and making cash and, well, could be a bit of a shit, with drunken arguements and fall outs with friends and collaborators par for the course. Perhaps understandably, as his physical condition was not good, and his family suffering a series of tragedies that made the middle section of this book harrowing going.
Most interesting to me was Dahl's view of himself as an outsider, never conforming to any individual's or the literary establishment's expectations, and the fact that he came to writing later in life. His time as a pilot in the war and as a diplomat in Washington were facinating, and I got the feeling Sturrock could have added more gossip and scandal in this section - I'm intrigued!
Recommedned to any fan of Dahl's stories - I'm looking forward to reading his work to my kids even more after reading this.
Sturrock had access to Dahl's remaining family, and more importantly, his archives. Most of the real action in Dahl's life took place when he was tucked away in a caravan by himself with a blanket and a heater, writing his wonderful stories, for adults, then for children.
When not in his caravan, he looked after his family, took a keen interest in his business affairs and making cash and, well, could be a bit of a shit, with drunken arguements and fall outs with friends and collaborators par for the course. Perhaps understandably, as his physical condition was not good, and his family suffering a series of tragedies that made the middle section of this book harrowing going.
Most interesting to me was Dahl's view of himself as an outsider, never conforming to any individual's or the literary establishment's expectations, and the fact that he came to writing later in life. His time as a pilot in the war and as a diplomat in Washington were facinating, and I got the feeling Sturrock could have added more gossip and scandal in this section - I'm intrigued!
Recommedned to any fan of Dahl's stories - I'm looking forward to reading his work to my kids even more after reading this.
thebobsphere's review against another edition
4.0
When I was a child, although I was a voracious reader, I liked weird books. I was fascinated with stories of children turning into TV sets , I remember one book about a boy who managed to turn people into chocolate by touching them, another – also chocolate based was about a boy who develops a chocolate sickness due to over consumption of chocolate and despite me liking them, I always felt that they lacked spark. Things changed that fateful day I read George’s Marvellous Medicine. Here was a writer that had a lot of energy in his writing, kept me turning the pages and made me laugh. From the years 1989 – 1991 I had read all of his books with The Minpins being the last one. Then in 1995 I discovered that he wrote adult fiction and consumed all his short stories and novel during that summer.
At first I thought that Roald Dahl didn’t need a second biography. Jeremy Treglown already wrote one, which revealed that Dahl was a person of two extremes. He got along well with children but anyone over the age of 12 and he’d treat them nastily, Yet he also was kind and generous to underdogs. Basically if you were a bully or egotistic he’d do his utmost to belittle you and he could be nasty at times.
Sturrock’s biography takes everything that Treglown did and expands that. Thus there’s more about his childhood, more about his days in Africa, more about his relationship with his two wives and children. I’ll admit where Treglown is dry and clinical, Sturrock’s writing is lively and flows. For a 600 page biography it’s a fun, flowing read.
I did learn a lot of new things about Dahl, especially when Sturrock describes the hidden influences behind his children’s books a short stories. There are a lot of good anecdotes as well. Due to these factors I would say to read this one, rather than Treglown’s.
Storyteller is everything I like in a biography. It’s fresh and manages to tackle an already documented topic with a fresh perspective. The book neither glorifies nor villifies Dahl. Although he seemed like a terrible character Sturrock does create a decent balance.
At first I thought that Roald Dahl didn’t need a second biography. Jeremy Treglown already wrote one, which revealed that Dahl was a person of two extremes. He got along well with children but anyone over the age of 12 and he’d treat them nastily, Yet he also was kind and generous to underdogs. Basically if you were a bully or egotistic he’d do his utmost to belittle you and he could be nasty at times.
Sturrock’s biography takes everything that Treglown did and expands that. Thus there’s more about his childhood, more about his days in Africa, more about his relationship with his two wives and children. I’ll admit where Treglown is dry and clinical, Sturrock’s writing is lively and flows. For a 600 page biography it’s a fun, flowing read.
I did learn a lot of new things about Dahl, especially when Sturrock describes the hidden influences behind his children’s books a short stories. There are a lot of good anecdotes as well. Due to these factors I would say to read this one, rather than Treglown’s.
Storyteller is everything I like in a biography. It’s fresh and manages to tackle an already documented topic with a fresh perspective. The book neither glorifies nor villifies Dahl. Although he seemed like a terrible character Sturrock does create a decent balance.
hayleyg84's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was an excellent biography. I find Roald Dahl ' s life to be as fascinating as his stories and this book not only wants to make me re -read all his children's stories but also to read his adult fiction which I have owned for years but never got round to reading.
bradland's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant biography of Roald Dahl’s incredible life. This book works as the definitive Dahl biography for a number of reasons: Donald Sturrock knew Dahl personally so has a good insight into the man himself, the author had access to the Dahl library (including letters) so is able to probe many details that would not have been apparent to typical biographers, and Sturrock doesn’t skimp on the detail (for the most part), good or bad. The absolute best thing about this book is Sturrock referencing any major (and possibility contentious) detail. The referenced notes take up a large amount of pages at the end but to me they are worth it, particularly as a major reference for future generations interested in Roald Dahl’s legacy.
The biography pretty much confirms a lot in Dahl’s autobiographical books ‘Boy’ and ‘Going Solo’ is make believe. Basic details are true but many of the stories are sensationalist which Dahl openly admitted to publishers and in some ways to the readers themselves. I still love those books but there is a small sense of disappointment that some of the things mentioned (Like the bit about the lolly shop lady or the black mamba) are reworked or completely false, even if it’s not surprising.
It’s quite amazing what Dahl did in his life from flying a plane in World War 2, to spying in Washington, to working with Walt Disney, to marry one of the most desired women in Hollywood, to many personal family tragedies, aiding in the creation of new medical gadgets, to writing some of the most beloved literature the world has ever read… yet he still felt a need to embellish his two autobiographies!
As mentioned before I love how Sturrock doesn’t shine a worshipful light on Dahl or most of those close to him, everyone has their weaknesses and Dahl was no exception. In fact, Dahl comes across as a prick overall…. yet he could be very kind and considerate and wrote a lot of amazing stories loved by many across the world. It’s an interesting contradiction for a man to love to entertain and be respected yet want to get a rise out of people.
One thing that didn’t sit well for me was Sturrock’s portrayal of Dahl’s second wife Felicity Dahl. She’s written as… perfect (even describing her as ‘beautiful’) yet that doesn’t ring true for someone who knowingly has an affair with a married man and lost custody of her children (which is only briefly mentioned and never detailed). The only time she’s looked upon negatively was through Patricia Neal’s account (Dahl’s first wife), but not before detailing Neal’s negative attitude and even discrediting her as a reliable witness. It really sticks out as most of the book is brutally honest. I would assume Sturrock did this so he didn’t have any problems with his research as Dahl’s second wife has complete control over Dahl’s estate. However, I still feel it’s not enough to destroy the well researched nature of the book.
One other thing: Why wasn't there any mention of how Revolting Rhymes and Rhyme Stew were created? I love those reworks of classic tales and you'd think due to the controversial nature of some of those stories there would be some account of how they came to be written. Yet not one mention about either book!
Overall, great book for anyone interested in Roald Dahl’s real life story. May disappoint those who have an almost mythical viewpoint of Dahl based on reading his work (especially if you started as a child) but that can’t be helped if an accurate account of someone’s life is the goal. Its hard to imagine Donald Sturrock (or anyone else for that matter) doing a better job.
The biography pretty much confirms a lot in Dahl’s autobiographical books ‘Boy’ and ‘Going Solo’ is make believe. Basic details are true but many of the stories are sensationalist which Dahl openly admitted to publishers and in some ways to the readers themselves. I still love those books but there is a small sense of disappointment that some of the things mentioned (Like the bit about the lolly shop lady or the black mamba) are reworked or completely false, even if it’s not surprising.
It’s quite amazing what Dahl did in his life from flying a plane in World War 2, to spying in Washington, to working with Walt Disney, to marry one of the most desired women in Hollywood, to many personal family tragedies, aiding in the creation of new medical gadgets, to writing some of the most beloved literature the world has ever read… yet he still felt a need to embellish his two autobiographies!
As mentioned before I love how Sturrock doesn’t shine a worshipful light on Dahl or most of those close to him, everyone has their weaknesses and Dahl was no exception. In fact, Dahl comes across as a prick overall…. yet he could be very kind and considerate and wrote a lot of amazing stories loved by many across the world. It’s an interesting contradiction for a man to love to entertain and be respected yet want to get a rise out of people.
One thing that didn’t sit well for me was Sturrock’s portrayal of Dahl’s second wife Felicity Dahl. She’s written as… perfect (even describing her as ‘beautiful’) yet that doesn’t ring true for someone who knowingly has an affair with a married man and lost custody of her children (which is only briefly mentioned and never detailed). The only time she’s looked upon negatively was through Patricia Neal’s account (Dahl’s first wife), but not before detailing Neal’s negative attitude and even discrediting her as a reliable witness. It really sticks out as most of the book is brutally honest. I would assume Sturrock did this so he didn’t have any problems with his research as Dahl’s second wife has complete control over Dahl’s estate. However, I still feel it’s not enough to destroy the well researched nature of the book.
One other thing: Why wasn't there any mention of how Revolting Rhymes and Rhyme Stew were created? I love those reworks of classic tales and you'd think due to the controversial nature of some of those stories there would be some account of how they came to be written. Yet not one mention about either book!
Overall, great book for anyone interested in Roald Dahl’s real life story. May disappoint those who have an almost mythical viewpoint of Dahl based on reading his work (especially if you started as a child) but that can’t be helped if an accurate account of someone’s life is the goal. Its hard to imagine Donald Sturrock (or anyone else for that matter) doing a better job.
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
4.0
An overly forgiving and generous biography of a difficult and misanthropic literary giant. Sturrock was able to provide a very personal and loving perspective on the cranky yet charismatic Roald Dahl. Always fascinating to speculate about the inspirations to any authors writing--maybe even more so with a fantasy-driven creator like Dahl.
I loved Dahl's juvenile fiction growing up, and now realize that much greater darkness drives these tales than I had realized. Dahl used his stories to escape his life and give some voice to the emotional life he never quite developed: or dealt with.
Inspired me to reread his children's stories and explore his earlier short-stories.
I loved Dahl's juvenile fiction growing up, and now realize that much greater darkness drives these tales than I had realized. Dahl used his stories to escape his life and give some voice to the emotional life he never quite developed: or dealt with.
Inspired me to reread his children's stories and explore his earlier short-stories.
joelle_cooper's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Roald Dahl was my favorite childhood author and learning so much about him through this well written, compelling and comprehensive book has been a joy!
kris45's review against another edition
Interesting to see that a number of reviews base their feedback on whether or not they ended up liking, disliking, or admiring Dahl after reading it. This review is of the book and the author of the book, not the subject matter.
Regardless of how one feels about the fascinating and flawed Roald Dahl, this is a detailed and intelligent biography. Sturrock has pulled together an impressive amount of information on the author and his life, and presented it in an even-handed, empathetic and highly readable tome of a biography.
High five also to the person responsible for the cover design. I usually buy paperbacks instead of hardcovers, but this one was so irresistible, I bought the hardcover version without hesitation.
Regardless of how one feels about the fascinating and flawed Roald Dahl, this is a detailed and intelligent biography. Sturrock has pulled together an impressive amount of information on the author and his life, and presented it in an even-handed, empathetic and highly readable tome of a biography.
High five also to the person responsible for the cover design. I usually buy paperbacks instead of hardcovers, but this one was so irresistible, I bought the hardcover version without hesitation.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
Donald Sturrock did a great job writing this biography, it was easy reading through even if it was a tad bit long and easy getting invested in. Not sure how well it did telling the life of Roald Dahl as I don't knew much about him going into this.
israa11's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.5