When I Challenged Myself To Read 15 Roald Dahl Books In 3 Months

“As an adult, it was easier for me to see that what connects many of my favourite Dahl books is the theme of family.”

By Emma Forward

This time, two years ago, I was working my way through 15 books in my Roald Dahl set — re-reading (for the most part) books that I hadn’t revisited for around 15 years. My 25th birthday was looming before me and it was a major milestone for me. I blame romcoms, books and TV shows for this notion — the idea that you’ll have it all together at 25. So I was panicking that I hadn’t achieved enough.

After a chat with my friend Bekah, we decided that our 30s would be our prime time. Excellent, this gave me five more years to figure everything out! I also reminded myself about all that I did have — I had stepped on the first rung of my career ladder (in publishing, ironic, as so many of the heroines in the aforementioned movies work in similar roles), I was in love, and had the support of my family and close friends. I was very lucky indeed.

So I decided to celebrate my ‘five more years to get it together’ by embracing my childhood and doing more of what makes me happy. And who better to help me recapture my youth than Roald Dahl — the master of combining great characters, humour and even nonsensical words into the best stories.

Dahl is the first author that I remember reading (at age 7–10) who had me totally gripped, frantically turning the pages to find out what would happen next, reading faster and faster… and then ultimately being disappointed that I’d finished the book. My favourite Roald Dahl books are also the perfect example of the kind of stories that stay with you. I think this can only be said for certain books, and for me, these would be Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and His Dark Materials — all of which I discovered after reading Dahl.

I set myself the challenge to read all of Dahl’s 15 books between my birthday (June 22) and Roald Dahl’s (September 13), and to blog about my reactions. So I began reading the books on my train commute, while scribbling notes for my blog. I also decided to visit the Roald Dahl Museum, and to celebrate finishing the set with a trip to the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical.

Needless to say, I relished the challenge. I enjoyed reading the books I hadn’t read, or didn’t remember well, such as The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, George’s Marvellous Medicine (there’s probably some gasps there as I know this is quite a lot of people’s favourite!) and Esio Trot. Esio Trot is such a heart-warming story, even though it’s so short. The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me has one of my favourite lines in it, part of which can also be found around the bench near Dahl’s grave.

The challenge also re-affirmed which books were my favourites and had been most memorable for me — The BFG, Matilda and Danny the Champion of the World, with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory being a close runner-up. The BFG is simply a magical story. Dahl blends the fantastical seamlessly with the ordinary — even including a starring role for the Queen of England! The way the dreams in jars are described make you picture them so clearly.

Matilda has always been close to my heart. I really felt connected to her when I was younger, absolutely loving school myself (so much so that I cried when I got chicken pox in my holidays because I thought I wouldn’t be able to back to school!), and being an ardent visitor of the library. I thought it was very cool that there was a girl ‘like me’ depicted in a book.

In Danny the Champion of the World, it’s easily the dad and the way the father-son relationship is described that I love the most. Re-reading the book, I found more and more comparisons with how I feel about my dad. He’s also a mechanic (and therefore equally enthralled with engines and other equipment as Danny’s dad is) and spent hours building things for my sister and I — such as a real wooden Pocahontas boat! Danny’s dad is also kind, calm and a great teacher — all traits that my dad has. I love this quote from the book, and agree with it wholeheartedly.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory encapsulates every kid’s dream to go to a chocolate factory. The way the chocolates and sweets are described make you wish they really existed (particularly the Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight). After also reading Boy, I appreciated the background to the story, learning that Dahl was actually a chocolate taster when he was young!

As an adult, it was easier for me to see that what connects many of my favourite Dahl books is the theme of family. Regardless of whether they are biological or not (Matilda and Miss Honey) or whether they are just two people (Danny and his dad) or an extended family (like Charlie’s), the books made me grateful for having someone to support and encourage me. It complemented my initial thought process, and made me appreciate my family more. This sentiment is also echoed in a quote from The Witches.

An element in Dahl’s stories that would appeal to both children and adults is the presence of the ‘horrors’. I remember being scared of the witches, especially when they turned children to mice! I felt similar about The Trunchbull locking kids in the chokey, the dastardly tricks by The Twits and the despicable aunts in James and the Giant Peach. I think it’s great to not always play it safe for a young audience. However, the thing I love about Dahl, and perhaps that which makes his writing most ‘acceptable’ to parents is the underlying idea of ‘good triumphs evil’. Usually, it’s the underdogs taking down the tyrants and bullies — Matilda being a prime example, Fantastic Mr Fox another, Danny and his dad, the boy and his grandma in The Witches… the list goes on. I still love this thought as much as I did first time around — ordinary people are capable of greatness.

To sum up, I loved the books just as much as I did before, perhaps even more so, and would encourage others to re-read (or read) them, or other books from their childhood. Combined with my trip to the Roald Dahl Museum and visiting his grave, I feel I know him a bit better. For my birthday this year I got a Spineless print of James and the Giant Peach along with the best present ever. My boyfriend spent five months collecting the books, then worked with a bookbinder to get them all rebound in leather. So now I have my own unique set!

It’s amazing how many generations have been touched by the stories, and I can’t wait to share them myself. They’re definitely timeless.

• Read more of Emma’s writing on her blog, emzzfblogs
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