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More Tales Of The Unexpected (1980)

More Tales Of The Unexpected (1980)

Book Info

Author
Rating
4.07 of 5 Votes: 2
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ISBN
0140056068 (ISBN13: 9780140056068)
Language
English
Publisher
penguin books

About book More Tales Of The Unexpected (1980)

Most people know Roald Dahl because of his wonderful stories for children. From Matilda to James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the BFG, Dahl has enthralled generations of kids. But somehow most people have missed out on his short stories for adults. He published multiple collections in this vein and this one is a perfect example of his work. The book reminds me of short stories from both Ray Bradbury and Flannery O’Connor. He tends towards a darker view of the world and people in general. Some of the stories are creepy, like The Sound Machine and the chilling Genesis and Catastrophe. Others like The Umbrella Man and Vengeance is Mine Inc. are quirky and fun. The slim book contains the following stories: Poison The Sound Machine Georgy Porgy Genesis and Catastrophe The Hitch-hiker The Umbrella ManMr. Botibol Vengeance is Mine Inc. The Butler BOTTOM LINE: If you’ve never read any of Roald Dahl’s adult stories this is a great place to start. The man had a wicked sense of humor and a style of writing that people have adored for decades. I’d also recommend his nonfiction memoirs Boy and Going Solo.

I'm not sure what the criteria were for inclusion in this collection, but for the most part it seems to have been “let's take the ones that weren't quite good enough for the first volume, and then, so that it's not completely bad, let's include a few half-decent ones from there for a second time.” The title is also slightly misleading. Many of the stories were certainly turned into episodes for the “Tales of the Unexpected” TV show, but the stories themselves, which pre-date the show, generally don't have the “starling end”, promised in the blurb: those were generally added when the stories were rewritten to meet the TV format. These versions are generally simpler and more whimsical.

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4.5 I am flabbergasted and stunned! Dahl is a master of the art of short-stories. Remarkable, quirky, wonderful stories. I didn´t want them to end!
— Sophia B

I didn't know that Roald Dahl also writes adult fiction. So this book came as quite a shock to me. The writing is refined and curious, as most Roald Dahl's books are. The most remarkable ones in this collection are, for me, the Mr. Botibol and Vengeance is Mine story. Mr. Botibol story is interesting because I can see the development of the character as the plot reveals itself. His uninteresting life becomes more intriguing as he follows his passion for classical music concerts. I have a knack for zero to hero type of character, perhaps.I find Vengeance is Mine appealing because the main idea represented in the story is clever and nicely executed. It makes a fine, if a bit sketchy and risky, business opportunity, in my opinion. But then again, I think the idea is getting more common nowadays.All in all, an interesting read. I would recommend this to Roald Dahl's admirers, like myself, and also to all of you enjoying unexpected, peculiar tales.
—Dina

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