Dead famous - Roald Dahl

And his chocolate factory

This book by Andrew Donkin is absolutely absorbing and amazingly informative. Donkin captures the biography of Roald Dahl in a series of interesting incidents. The book has

• narratives, imagined pages from a secret diary, made-up letters, imaginary newspaper headlines and war stories.

The illustrations by Clive Goddard are fabulous. The details in the illustrations vary depending on whether it is supposed to be by Dahl aged five or Dahl aged 20…making it all the more juicy and real!

What is intriguing is the connection Donkin draws between incidents in Dahl’s life and the stories he wrote. Mrs. Pratchett he says was the inspiration for The Witches. The daily train rides in London lead to Galloping Foxely. And the successful Someone Like You had many real life experiences to thank.

Donkin tells us how Dahl was an agent for Shell, a fighter pilot, a spy, played practical pranks, and nearly lost his nose!

All in all, a must read for Dahl fans.