Jeremy Treglown

Roald Dahl: A Biography by Jeremy Treglown is a masterful work about a gifted and often difficult writer. While this will likely burst some bubbles about what we think a children's writer must be like (as likable as the stories that children love, right?), it does not do a disservice to Dahl's life and contributions.

Treglown shows us how Dahl's life and early aspirations helped to form the person he became. In doing so it neither demonizes nor condones the manner in which Dahl treated some show more people, particularly editors. The background allows the reader to see him as a human being like the rest of us, with flaws and weaknesses as well as strength and a wonderful gift.

I used the reading of this biography and the upcoming film The BFG as an opportunity to reread Dahl's book. With a better understanding of the author I found that it gave more nuance to my reading of The BFG. This biography will not affect a child's experience of any of his books but can reward an adult who might like to read them again with a new perspective.

I would highly recommend this biography to anyone interested in children's literature and those who enjoy biographies of literary figures. While Dahl's at times difficult personality is certainly a big part of the story I felt by highlighting his life and goals Treglown avoided making this a negative biography. I have a new appreciation for Dahl the writer at the same time being thankful I didn't have to deal with him.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. show less

I'm very much glad that I never met Mr Dahl, because he certainly isn't a person I'd want to spend any time with after reading this biography. But of course I have spent time with him because I read and enjoyed his books. I wonder who the real Dahl was, what Treglown has here portrayed or the authors voice coming through his writing.

You won't like Dahl as much after it's over. but he's not so bad as many artists, creatives, wunderfolk.
I tend to like good humans, but buy books from arrogant, asshole geniuses (I just checked out this one at the library--didn't buy it). Anyway Dahl doesn't make the grade as 4-star genius, but certainly as a one-star double A (AH and Arrogant) human. Treglown isn't in the running.
But Treglown gives you psychology, mother, women, war, adventures, petulance, money problems, women, books, show more moviestar wife, tragedy, more books, fights with publishers, more women, next tragedy, next wife, old curmudgeonness, and caps Dahl with a clever tombstone. All in order, understandable, nothing post-modern. Nothing literary. But adequate.

Yes, adequate it is for this book. Adequate. show less

Roald Dahl is a special favorite of mine and thus my interest in this biography which is now available as an ebook. As a volunteer I teach literature in a public school to eight and nine year olds. I use many of Dahl's books which are always a favorite with the children, especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and BFG. I also have them act out his play The Witches which is delightful. So I was captivated by this biography of a very talented man who could also be difficult at times. show more Perhaps that is common to very creative men.

The celebrate biographer Jeremy Treglown brings Dahl to life in humanizing this longstanding immortal of juvenile fiction. Dahl was truly one of the greats of children's literature though he did write for adults. I have many of his adult stories though I don't claim to have read them. I am mesmerized by his children's fiction as well as by his life as told in this astounding biography. i can't recommend this book highly enough. Enjoy it as I did. show less