Roald Dahl (1916-1990), a British writer of Norwegian descent is one of the most popular youth fiction writers and probably one of the best-selling children authors. He is the author of numerous bestsellers, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Danny, the Champion of the World, The Big Friendly Giant, The Witches, Matilda, The Revolting Rhymes … He is known for his views on children stories: "I find it that the only way to make my point is to exaggerate madly. This is the only way to make an impact with children." His stories are sarcastic and funny, which makes them loved by adults and children alike. His fictional world is always the result of pure fantasy, and filled with imagination; it is invariably slightly cruel, but never lacking humor. Dahl's humor is a thrilling mix of the grotesque and comic. One of his frequent motifs is that people are not what they seem. Dahl considered himself lucky that children laughed at the same jokes as himself. Young readers remain attracted by his wonderful imagination, amazing adventures and outrageous exaggerations.
The famous writer was also a boxing champion, a fighter pilot and war hero who survived a plane crash, and an inventor, whose inventions saved many lives, and also a chocolate taster for Cadbury’s. He did not study at the university, but applied for a job at Shell’s oil company because he desperately wanted to go abroad. He was sent to the East Africa where he experienced many adventures he was after: the unbearable heat, crocodiles, snakes and safaris. He lived in a jungle, learned Swahili and recovered from malaria. When World War II broke out, he moved to Nairobi to join the Royal Air Force. As a fighter pilot he shot down many German planes and was shot down himself. After a six-month recovery in hospital he flew again. After the war, he lived in the English countryside and wrote many famous books for children. He also authored a brilliant script for the movie Gremlins. He wrote for adults too.
James and the Giant Peach (1961) is Dahl’s famous fantasy novel for children, characterized by wonderful humor, boldness and amazing imaginative adventures.
Young James is an orphan living with his wicked aunts Spiker and Sponge who cruelly mistreat him. One day he stumbles across an old man, who gives him crocodile tongues possessing magic power. By accident James drops them near an old peach tree. The next morning it produces a single peach as large as a house. The insects living there are gigantic too. Together they embark on an amazing and life-changing adventure.
James and the Giant Peach is a story of friendship and courage, embedded in a wonderful fantasy world with living plants and animals. They help James to get rid of his evil aunts and find true friends. Admittedly, life is sometimes awful and unfair, but one can find friends and one’s place in this world, as long as you do not run out of courage.