Roald Dahl Books In Order

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Roald Dahl was one of the most celebrated British authors, known for his novels, short stories, and screenplays. Of Norwegian descent, he primarily wrote children’s books and macabre short stories for adults. Dahl’s literary fame began in the 1940s with his short stories, later expanding to children’s fiction, making him one of the world’s bestselling authors. He was born on September 13, 1916, in Llandaff, South Wales. In 1953, he published his acclaimed short story collection “Someone Like You” and married actress Patricia Neal, with whom he had five children. His breakthrough in children’s literature came with “James and the Giant Peach” (1961), followed by “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (1964), which was later adapted into two major Hollywood films. Over his decades-long career, Dahl wrote numerous children’s books, blending dark humor with whimsical storytelling.

His first published work was “The Gremlins” (1943), written for Walt Disney but met with limited success. Before turning to children’s fiction, Dahl was known for writing eerie and suspenseful stories for adults. His journey as a writer began during World War II when he served as a fighter pilot for the Royal Air Force and crash-landed in Libya due to a fuel shortage, suffering a fractured skull and temporary blindness. After recovering, he was stationed in Washington, D.C., as an assistant air attaché, where author C.S. Forester encouraged him to write about his wartime experiences. This led to his first major short story, “A Piece of Cake,” which was published under a different title by The Saturday Evening Post.

During his childhood, Dahl spent summers in Oslo visiting his Norwegian grandparents. His father died in 1920 when Dahl was three, and his mother later enrolled him at Repton School, where he endured a strict education. He was known for his mischievous nature and love for practical jokes, which sometimes resulted in punishment from school authorities. Despite his mother’s willingness to support his university education, he opted for a more adventurous path, joining Shell Oil in 1934 and working in Tanzania, Africa before enlisting in the RAF in 1939.

Dahl’s career as a children’s author flourished in the 1960s and beyond. “Matilda” (1988) became one of his most beloved books, featuring the highly intelligent Matilda Wormwood, her kind teacher Miss Honey, and the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull. The story follows Matilda as she discovers her telekinetic abilities while navigating life with neglectful parents and a cruel school environment. Dahl masterfully portrayed her as a lovable yet unpredictable character with a strong moral compass.

Another fan favorite, “The BFG” (1982), was illustrated by Quentin Blake. Set in London, it follows a young girl named Sophie, who is kidnapped by the Big Friendly Giant (BFG). Unlike the bloodthirsty giants that devour children, the BFG is kind-hearted and prefers collecting dreams. When Sophie learns that the other giants are terrorizing England, she devises a plan with the BFG to stop them. The book became one of Dahl’s most cherished stories and was later adapted into films.

Dahl was married twice, divorcing Patricia Neal in 1983 before marrying Felicity Ann Crosland, with whom he remained until his passing. In his later years, he battled a rare blood disease (myelodysplastic syndrome) and was admitted to Radcliffe Hospital, where he passed away on November 23, 1990. His literary legacy endures, with his works continuing to inspire generations of readers.

One Response to “Roald Dahl”

1. Carmel Curran: 10 months ago

   I am looking for a childhood book, a collection of stories in the one hard cover book, had Matilda, BFG, James and the Giant Peach, The Witches, George’s Marvellous Medicine, danny The Champion Of The World, The Giraffe And The Pelly, Esio Trot, the enormous crocodile, plus more including some poems which I cant remember, i would love to find the same one again, but cant source iyit may have been a limited edition. thank you.

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