Each story is dark, morbid, glib, and ends on its own unique note of dangling existential horror. Jun 29, Grace Harris rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: His stories are well known for being funny, odd but intrinsically magical. But Dahl's adult short stories that the well known TV show 'Tales of the Unexpected' was based on seem to be from a completely different author. They share the humour that Dahl's other works are infused with but often have incredibly dark elements that spring from strange plot twists. Dahl's adult fiction is almost Gaiman-like in its frequent elements of the morbid yet fantastic.
And yet, there is something so inherently Dahl in each story, a dark reality that clouds each tale. There is no doubt that Dahl's depiction of the world is cynical but that makes it all the more natural. Of course there are murderers like the wife in 'Lamb to the Slaughter' that hoodwink the police and get away with their crime and yet the scenario is so incredible that you can't help but be impressed with her ingenuity. There are rarely heroes in Dahl's adult tales, and even those who we might consider to be the "good guy" rarely meet a good end.
For example, in 'Claud's Dog: Mr Feasey' the reader probably roots for Claud and the narrator to get their winnings so that Claud can provide for his girlfriend when they get married. And yet, when the men are cheated by the bookmakers you feel disappointed but ultimately it is not a bad ending because there is a sense of justice in the men not profiting by their cheating ways. This volume's introduction is written by Charlie Higson, who brands the stories as "some of the most unsettling tales ever written". Now, in fairness, some of the tales do have an unpleasant edge.
No one likes the idea of a cat being thrown in a bonfire, let alone a cat who's actually the reincarnated Franz Liszt. And yet, I would say that these stories are not quite the most unsettling I've ever read, often the twists are shocking but none of the stories made me shudder, or want to sleep with the light on.
They're stunning works of fiction but I'd have to argue that if you want something that will unsettle you you're better off reading Poe or Lovecraft. That being said, if you read Dahl's childrens book and then a few of these tales, I wouldn't blame you for being reluctant to believe they're by the same person. But even Dahl's children's stories were never entirely without a darker edge; the witches hate children, Matilda's family and headteacher are brutes and Willy Wonka is far from mentally sound.
Dahl was never known for entirely happy, bubbly, feel good stories but that never mattered as his tales were always exciting, creative and entirely enthralling. Dec 15, Shibani rated it really liked it. Jan 14, Rabia Bashir rated it really liked it Shelves: Each story took me to a place unknown and kept me there until the end. It was revealing to go to the beginning of Roald's writing career and see why his early work got into literary magazines.
I not only read but I studied each story Picking up on the way he crafts his sentences, his scenes. Look forward to reading the remaining short stories he published! Dec 17, Johanna rated it really liked it. I love Roald Dahl's short stories, which are surprisingly macabre and uncanny as well as entertaining. His work is very well written, engaging, and often takes a number of unexpected turns.
I am always surprised at the depravity of character that Dahl depicts — his sorties often come to very unfortunate, even nightmarish, ends. This is a great book to dip into at leisure. Sep 12, Beth Hitchman rated it really liked it Shelves: Dahl writes in a dark and sinister way about things that happen or could be happening behind any closed door. I thoroughly recommend this book as it was a delight to read and easy to pick up!
If you would like your child to read this book you should probably read some of them yourself first because a few of them are disturbing. I would, however, recommend picking this read up for anyone else, the wide range of topics and themes means that there is something that everyone can enjoy.
The Complete Short Stories: Volume One by Roald Dahl
If you were a Dahl writes in a dark and sinister way about things that happen or could be happening behind any closed door. If you were a fan of Dahl as a child or a grown up, I would encourage you to read his more adult stories as they are just as brilliant as the childhood classics! Read the full review by following the link below! Aug 13, Zebardast Zebardast rated it liked it. Roald Dahl September 13, to November 23, was a British author who penned 19 children's books over his decades-long writing career. In he published the best-selling story collection Someone Like You and married actress Patricia Neal.
He published the popular book James and the Giant Peach in In he released another highly successful work, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was later adapted for two films. Nov 15, Kamil rated it really liked it. A volume of short stories spanning the first decade of Dahl's career. Listed chronologically, the stories show his progression as a writer, beginning with pieces based on war experiences before quickly developing into his signature style of humorous yet slightly unnerving tales. Despite some strange subject matter, the individual stories are unfailingly engaging, as Dahl's writing wastes no time grabbing attention, crafting lifesize characters and building to often unsettling conclusions.
Dec 06, Pia rated it really liked it Shelves: Some stories are funny, others make you cringe, sometimes they leave you confused which makes you want to reread the whole thing to find the clue that makes the puzzle complete. His words stick with you wherever you go. Which makes this a book you simply cannot read in one sitting. Jun 25, James Dransfield rated it really liked it. Sep 07, Sydni rated it it was amazing Shelves: Love having the whole first half of the collection!
So clever, unpredictable, and sinister yet oddly satisfying. I enjoyed every story. Favorites from this collection are: Oct 03, Joe Hudson rated it really liked it. I've had this book sitting in my to read pile for about six years.
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I've moved house three times and it's stayed sat in the same pile. I just kept putting it off. I regret that so much! Roald Dahl is a fantastic author and is so clever with words. It is amazing to see his writing evolve from his early days in the RAF though to the 60s. Looking forward to reading volume 2 soon! Aug 11, Bumblebeebookworm rated it it was amazing. Although there is a lot of stories I have read in this one, like lamb for slaughter, skin, an African story, and a lot of others , some were still new to me in this book.
I especially liked the story Katina and the sound machine of those. I recommend it to everyone that is a fan of Dahl.
The Complete Short Stories: Volume One
Jul 08, Jordan Thomas rated it liked it. Worth a read, I read it between books. Lots of stories based on his experience in the navy and some can be quite dull. However, there are plenty of little gems in there. May 31, Chris Greensmith rated it liked it. Just like short people, I am always weary of short stories, but what a great collection of yarns, I went in thinking they were all going to be true stories, not so sure now, but none the less still good. I have marked some tales as I will be recommending them to Danni Aug 17, Hapsari Darmastuti rated it liked it. Most of the stories are good and well-written, but only a handful is really truly interesting and memorable.
Still enjoyed it overall though. Aug 17, Zizzi Bonah rated it it was amazing. People often forget Roald Dahl wrote for adults as well as children - this is a book I return to again and again for its humour and vivid descriptions. Oct 08, M. Sparrow rated it liked it. For more reviews, or to see my favourite quotes check out my blog at http: Some of the stories were good, though none really, really hooked me, but some were just meh.
They weren't bad, they just didn't interest me. However, I will just give a quick mention to the ones I did enjoy. Firstly, Beware of the Dog and The Soldier. These two stories intrigued For more reviews, or to see my favourite quotes check out my blog at http: These two stories intrigued me, but I thought they were too short and I wanted them to be developed more, it almost felt like I'd just read a random chapter out of a larger novel. My favourite though was The Sound Machine; the descriptions and story were just so haunting and may even be possible.
However, I will say the one thing Dahl does amazingly well in his short stories are endings. There were some truly twisted, didn't-see-that-coming endings and I loved them. Mar 31, Bob rated it really liked it. Although I should have guessed from the title I was surprised to read quite so many stories centred around the author's wartime experience serving in the Royal Air Force. The stories were interesting but rather flat. Moving on to the later stories I was struck by the similarity to such writers as Evelyn Waugh or perhaps Graham Greene. Characters appeared to have been plucked from a class that the majority of readers would see as caricatures not actual living, breathing persons.
Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Preview — Adrianna's Cowboy by Savannah Stuart. Adrianna's Cowboy Adrianna's 1 by Savannah Stuart. Four years ago he almost gave into that temptation, but stopped just as things were about to get interesting. Paperback , Second , 75 pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
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Lists with This Book. Jul 07, Claire Robinson rated it really liked it. This would be a really great introduction to any new readers to this author as well, so if you are, take my advice and give this hot little number a go.
The story didn't get very deep into the characters. Sam was a sexy rancher who worked the Campbell Ranch. He was confident but I wouldn't call him "alpha". He was still a great guy who thought of Mr Campbell as a father. Adrianna was an ok heroine. She was embarrassed that she let 3. She was embarrassed that she let things go so far when he clearly didn't feel the same way she did.
She steared clear of him, timing her visits to her dad for times when Sam wouldn't be around. Now, circumstances bring her not only back to the ranch with him, but they are staying under the same roof. I just didn't buy it. They avoided each other for years and then- view spoiler [ she loses her job and is heading back to the farm. She goes home and all of the sudden Sam is this alpha caveman saying she is "his " and staking a claim. I just felt he was two different guys. I was completely safe.
Sep 06, willaful rated it it was ok Shelves: A fun, hot story if you like the crazy possessive type of guy. There was a little too much repetitive mental lusting substituted for emotional development.
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I also found it off-putting that the heroine's primary emotional reaction happened after she thought her father had left property to someone else, rather than after his death. Mild bondage, fairly raunchy. Nov 08, Delta rated it liked it Shelves: The characters are likable, but the story is over before it really gets started. Jun 04, Lisa Williams rated it it was amazing. Loved it super short but great!
The Complete Short Stories: Volume One 1944-1953
Dec 07, Dee rated it it was ok Shelves: Mar 28, Lisa rated it liked it. Jul 04, Caroline rated it really liked it. Not real in-depth, but fun. Mar 02, Deviant Divas rated it really liked it Shelves: Emotions tend to run high between these two characters, Adrianna and Sam. It leaves the reader wondering, if they can stay together.