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.