A book that reminds me of my dad! Nice one, Mr Dahl! (Danny the Champion of the World - Roald Dahl)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Danny the Champion of the World - Roald Dahl
Date:	26/09/08 (177 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very moving and memorable story

Disadvantages: None

One of Roald Dahl's books that sticks in my mind the most is Danny, Champion of the World. It is a book that nearly every boy will be able to relate to, and it examines the relationship between a boy and his father in very subtle ways. Speculation is that the book was based on Dahl and his relationship with his son Theo.

Danny lives in a gypsy caravan with his dad, who brings him up on his own. Danny thinks the world of his dad, and is very proud of him. When he wakes up one night to find his dad gone, he gets upset and catches him coming back from poaching. The thought of roast pheasant for tea appeases Danny and tells his dad he can go out for more, but when he doesn't come back, Danny has to grow up quick and go and find him. Thus ensues a further development in their relationship, as Danny becomes the one to look after his dad, whom he finds with an injured ankle.

What stands out for me here is the relationship between a boy and his dad and portrayed through Dahl's eyes. Danny's dad treats him in a mature way and earns his son's respect in this way. I guess when I first read it, I was thinking of my dad and examining the relationship we had when I was younger, but it is hard to completely make the transition from Danny's life to my own, although this is likely why I remember it so well.

I hope that when my son is old enough to read novels he picks this one up and has a similar reaction to mine. It reminds me in a good way of my dad, and you can tell that in this book, and indeed most of Dahl's writing, that there is a large element of his personal life transmitted onto the page.

I recommend this book as well as most of Dahl's other work. He was a very good writer, and one that kids should read. The book is currently available from amazon.co.uk for £4.19.

Summary: Another great book from a very good author