I loved this, Roald Dahl turns his superb sense of the bizarre to an adult audience to great effect. While it can be a little disconcerting to know that what you're reading came from the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (which can come as a sharp reminder when he uses certain of his made up words!), it's definitely a work for a grown up fan of his children's stories. ( )

The nameless narrator has revealed snippets of the lovable, lascivious Uncle Oswald's life in other collections ("Taste" and "Switch Bitch"), but this is the only novel--brief though it is--dedicated solely to the diaries of "the greatest fornicator of all time."
I've said it once and I'll say it again, there is simply a shortage of good books focused on erotic humor. This story is rather a caricature of all sexual values that have ever existed. The story's main person, Oswald Cornelius (who is called "Uncle" because the whole story is quoted from his "diaries" by a nephew), is, according to Dahl, "the greatest rogue, bounder, connoisseur, bon vivant and fornicator of all time". He seems to get every lady, not regarding age or whatever else, into bed with utmost ease. This gentleman comes across a lot of absolutely ridiculous adventures that are all described in this wicked book.

This story takes place around 1912, when Oswald is barely seventeen. In spite of his young age, he is already a great diplomat and communicator. When he hears about a mysterious African Sudanese beetle that--when stamped to powder--increases a man's potency highly, he's the first to go on expedition to Africa and get hold of some of these beetles. He accomplishes his mission and gets back to Europe where he sells his "high-potency pills" at exorbitant prices to people from all over the world.

What struck me about him was that although he had a rule never to sleep with a woman more than once, he was remarkably equalitarian in his relations with a partner. When he meets the beautiful Yasmin Howcomely, she becomes an equal partner in his ventures. They sleep together twice, but there are no regrets that the relationship does not continue. Oswald never "uses" a woman for pleasure, he merely enjoys the company they give, never forcing more than is desire by the woman.

The life of a commercial sperm broker has a few surprises even for a sophisticated bon vivant, and Dahl manages his signature sting-in-the-tail ending even in one of his lightest comic works. I can absolutely recommend this book for anyone who likes a very lucid and deliciously weird story.

Book Details:

Title My Uncle Oswald
Author Roald Dahl
Reviewed By Purplycookie ( )

Dahl tackles aphrodisiacs and sperm donation in this adult novel – never has a book done so much to enhance the reputation of Puccini. ( )

Divertissant ! ( )

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