The Great Automatic Grammatizator and Other Stories
by Roald Dahl
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Thirteen stories, selected for teenagers, from Dahl's adult writings, including "The Great Automatic Grammatizator," "Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat," and "Vengeance is Mine Inc."Tags
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Thirteen short stories, written by Roald Dahl between the 40s and 1980.
Only one- Katina- isnt a "Tale of the Unexpected." Dahl returns to his experience as a WW2 pilot, describing the bombardment of Greece, and an orphan of war who becomes a member of the Unit.; the most emotional of the stories.
Elsewhere we have a wife with a passive-aggressive husband, coming out on top.....a dangerous landlady....some weird and creepy bets. Loved cheating Mrs Bixby, whose plan to "introduce" the costly fur her lover has given her into the home without awakening suspicion goes awry..
Very readable and entertaining.
Only one- Katina- isnt a "Tale of the Unexpected." Dahl returns to his experience as a WW2 pilot, describing the bombardment of Greece, and an orphan of war who becomes a member of the Unit.; the most emotional of the stories.
Elsewhere we have a wife with a passive-aggressive husband, coming out on top.....a dangerous landlady....some weird and creepy bets. Loved cheating Mrs Bixby, whose plan to "introduce" the costly fur her lover has given her into the home without awakening suspicion goes awry..
Very readable and entertaining.
As the title says, this is a selection of thirteen short stories. Originally selected for teenagers, adults can enjoy the read. These are not the type of stories usually associated with Roald Dahl. These are for an older audience, but they do have elements that can be found in his kids’ books. The unusual names and strange situations.
The title story revolves around a machine that could possibly do away with writers. It is a machine that can be given the mere basics and then write a full-blown novel!
Another story, “Katina,” is about a little Greek girl. It is April 1941, during the Greek campaign. The RAF are fighting to push back the Germans. A couple of the soldiers found a little girl sitting on a pile of rubble staring. She had show more a wound and they took her to the Doc for treatment.
Communication was difficult, as she didn’t speak English. Luckily there was a Greek interpreter with the troops to help find out about her. When asked why she was sitting where they found her, she told them her family was under the rubble. Katina becomes a part of the division. The soldiers try to teach her English, give her shelter and food. This story is one that has stuck in my head. Dahl makes her so alive, and at the same time paints how harsh war is.
Some of the stories I’d read in “Kiss, Kiss,” which is another short story collection. Each story has a strange twist, and interesting characters. They also show the strength of Dahl’s writing in unusual ideas and character development. show less
The title story revolves around a machine that could possibly do away with writers. It is a machine that can be given the mere basics and then write a full-blown novel!
Another story, “Katina,” is about a little Greek girl. It is April 1941, during the Greek campaign. The RAF are fighting to push back the Germans. A couple of the soldiers found a little girl sitting on a pile of rubble staring. She had show more a wound and they took her to the Doc for treatment.
Communication was difficult, as she didn’t speak English. Luckily there was a Greek interpreter with the troops to help find out about her. When asked why she was sitting where they found her, she told them her family was under the rubble. Katina becomes a part of the division. The soldiers try to teach her English, give her shelter and food. This story is one that has stuck in my head. Dahl makes her so alive, and at the same time paints how harsh war is.
Some of the stories I’d read in “Kiss, Kiss,” which is another short story collection. Each story has a strange twist, and interesting characters. They also show the strength of Dahl’s writing in unusual ideas and character development. show less
The Great Automatic Grammatizator is a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl. Published in 1997, it is known as The Umbrella Man and Other Stories in the US.
The book contains thirteen stories, The Great Automatic Grammatizator, Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat, The Butler, Man From the South, The Landlady, Parson's Pleasure, The Umbrella Man, Katina, The Way Up to Heaven, Royal Jelly, Vengeance is Mine Inc., Taste and Neck. These stories were selected specifically for a teenaged audience. All the stories were published elsewhere originally.
Most of the stories have unexpected endings. Some of them are quite macabre and bizarre.
The eponymous The Great Automatic Grammatizator was a disappointment. It couldn’t really generate the show more chilling effect it was going for.
Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat, Vengeance is Mine Inc. and Taste I don’t care much for.
The Butler is a really short story with a twist ending. I loved the way Dahl manages to create a real surprise ending with so little to go upon.
Man From the South is perhaps the most famous of Dahl’s stories. The ending is what makes this story special.
The Landlady and Parson's Pleasure are both re-reads for me and are good stories with twist endings.
The Umbrella Man is a humorous story with an unexpected ending. I enjoyed reading it.
Katina is the only story in the book without an unexpected ending or any surprise elements in it. It’s supposed to be sad and heart warming but I didn’t feel anything. It was long drawn and boring.
The Way Up to Heaven is a real macabre tale. I find it grisly in spite of the fact that Dahl never actually describes what happens to Mr. Foster. This is the only story of the book where the wife is being abused by the husband and not vice versa.
Royal Jelly was kind of creepy but felt a little rambling.
I enjoyed the narrative style of Neck. But the protagonist is once again a man being unfairly treated by a wicked woman and he ends up turning the tables on her. And once again after Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat, the entire introduction to the story is unnecessary and in bad taste.
I’ve read a few of the stories from this collection before. Some of the stories like Man From the South, The Way Up to Heaven and Neck are still as fresh as when I read them the first time. But others like The Landlady and Parson's Pleasure are definitely not the kind of stories you read for a second time. Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat, Vengeance is Mine Inc. and Taste, I barely skimmed through.
The language is somewhat odd at places. The Great Automatic Grammatizator and The Umbrella Man are kind of strangely narrated.
Dahl comes across as a bit of a misogynist at times. His Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat is a big example of that. Granted Mrs. Bixby got her just desserts but the entire prelude to the story was totally unnecessary. It was just in bad taste. The same goes with the story Neck. And the whole betting scene in Taste is just too ludicrous. Seriously, women are not inanimate objects or someone’s property. I don’t think people (at least decent people) bet on their female relations.
My favourite stories are Man From the South, The Umbrella Man, The Way Up to Heaven and Neck. The Butler and Royal Jelly are pretty good. The Great Automatic Grammatizator, Katina and Vengeance is Mine Inc., I found really dull. I really disliked Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat and Taste.
The Great Automatic Grammatizator and Other Stories is a good introduction to Roald Dahl’s writings for an adult audience. An overall satisfying collection of short stories. show less
The book contains thirteen stories, The Great Automatic Grammatizator, Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat, The Butler, Man From the South, The Landlady, Parson's Pleasure, The Umbrella Man, Katina, The Way Up to Heaven, Royal Jelly, Vengeance is Mine Inc., Taste and Neck. These stories were selected specifically for a teenaged audience. All the stories were published elsewhere originally.
Most of the stories have unexpected endings. Some of them are quite macabre and bizarre.
The eponymous The Great Automatic Grammatizator was a disappointment. It couldn’t really generate the show more chilling effect it was going for.
Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat, Vengeance is Mine Inc. and Taste I don’t care much for.
The Butler is a really short story with a twist ending. I loved the way Dahl manages to create a real surprise ending with so little to go upon.
Man From the South is perhaps the most famous of Dahl’s stories. The ending is what makes this story special.
The Landlady and Parson's Pleasure are both re-reads for me and are good stories with twist endings.
The Umbrella Man is a humorous story with an unexpected ending. I enjoyed reading it.
Katina is the only story in the book without an unexpected ending or any surprise elements in it. It’s supposed to be sad and heart warming but I didn’t feel anything. It was long drawn and boring.
The Way Up to Heaven is a real macabre tale. I find it grisly in spite of the fact that Dahl never actually describes what happens to Mr. Foster. This is the only story of the book where the wife is being abused by the husband and not vice versa.
Royal Jelly was kind of creepy but felt a little rambling.
I enjoyed the narrative style of Neck. But the protagonist is once again a man being unfairly treated by a wicked woman and he ends up turning the tables on her. And once again after Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat, the entire introduction to the story is unnecessary and in bad taste.
I’ve read a few of the stories from this collection before. Some of the stories like Man From the South, The Way Up to Heaven and Neck are still as fresh as when I read them the first time. But others like The Landlady and Parson's Pleasure are definitely not the kind of stories you read for a second time. Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat, Vengeance is Mine Inc. and Taste, I barely skimmed through.
The language is somewhat odd at places. The Great Automatic Grammatizator and The Umbrella Man are kind of strangely narrated.
Dahl comes across as a bit of a misogynist at times. His Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat is a big example of that. Granted Mrs. Bixby got her just desserts but the entire prelude to the story was totally unnecessary. It was just in bad taste. The same goes with the story Neck. And the whole betting scene in Taste is just too ludicrous. Seriously, women are not inanimate objects or someone’s property. I don’t think people (at least decent people) bet on their female relations.
My favourite stories are Man From the South, The Umbrella Man, The Way Up to Heaven and Neck. The Butler and Royal Jelly are pretty good. The Great Automatic Grammatizator, Katina and Vengeance is Mine Inc., I found really dull. I really disliked Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat and Taste.
The Great Automatic Grammatizator and Other Stories is a good introduction to Roald Dahl’s writings for an adult audience. An overall satisfying collection of short stories. show less
short stories. For adults. I enjoyed them very much. Psychological thriller, ironies, etc. Dahl has a very sharp mind and cutting wit.
Original and entertaining teen stories from Cardiff's best known author.
The Great Automatic Grammartizator and Other Stories
Paperback, 264 pages
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More
Paperback, 213 pages
Roald Dahl
Published by Puffin Books
I recently developed a fascination for the works of Roald Dahl, perhaps years too late. But better late than never. I found the 2001 Puffin Books editions irresistible and decided that it's probably a good investment for my personal library.
Both books in this column are aimed at teenage readers, but of course, older readers will likely also enjoy them. The number of stories in both volumes total up to 20. Because I'm feeling cheeky today, I'm going to talk about some of the stories but not specify which book it came from.
Unless it's really obvious... like The show more Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.
In the beginning of his story, Henry Sugar is a rich and selfish man. His main concern in life is making sure that he stays wealthy. He stumbles upon a strange story in a friend's library, written by a doctor who interviewed an Indian who can see without using his eyes.
The doctor's story conveniently describes how the Indian achieved this, so Henry followed the instructions. Three years and three months passed before he perfected his yogi-inspired powers.
But something happened to Henry in that time. He no longer finds pleasure in casinos and the shallow pursuit of riches. Yet he possesses the skill to clean out any casino he chooses to play in. An incident with a policeman gave him an idea, and Henry sets out to do good.
It's also rather obvious which book The Great Automatic Grammartizator came from.
Adolph Knipe's invention, the great automatic computing engine, is a success but Knipe is feeling depressed. By night, he is a writer, and not a very successful one either.
When sent home by his boss Mr Bohlen for a well-deserved holiday, Knipe mourns his failure as a writer before hitting upon an idea. After spending all of his holiday thinking about it, he convinces Mr Bohlen to back him on this and invented what is virtually an automatic story writing engine, able to produce works depending on the target audience.
Any writer, especially those who've ever gotten a reject slip, could appreciate the wicked humour behind this piece.
Another one with wicked humour that made me laugh out loud ("LOL" to you Internet people) at the end is "Mrs Bixby and The Colonel's Coat". Mrs Bixby have been having an affair with someone only known to us as the Colonel. Her carefully concealed trips have been successful so far, until the Colonel gave her a luxurious mink coat.
There was no way Mrs Bixby will be able to explain this to her husband. She devises a plan on the way home and left the coat in a pawn shop. Upon returning home, she tells Mr Bixby that she found a pawn ticket in the taxi she took, and sent him off to collect. That's where the fun begins.
A story that I found particularly harrowing to read comes under the peaceful-sounding title of The Swan.
Precocious Peter Watson is unfortunate enough to be out in the woods birdwatching alone when local bullies Ernie and Raymond came along. They made him their captive and subjects him to the kind of cruelty we associate with people who grow up to become serial killers.
First, they tied Peter to the train tracks and let him believe that he'll be run over. Finally, they shot a swan, cut her wings off and tied them to Peter's arms. They made him climb a tree as high as he could go and made him jump.
The surprise came when Peter discovers that he is one of those souls whom bullies will never break.
Dahl delights with his humour, yet some stories contain a sensitivity that moved me. As an extra bonus, one of these books contain Dahl's account on how he got his luck break into writing, as well as his very first published piece. Both of these pieces offer a glimpse into how this surprising man accidentally became one of the greatest authors in modern literature.
(2006) show less
Paperback, 264 pages
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More
Paperback, 213 pages
Roald Dahl
Published by Puffin Books
I recently developed a fascination for the works of Roald Dahl, perhaps years too late. But better late than never. I found the 2001 Puffin Books editions irresistible and decided that it's probably a good investment for my personal library.
Both books in this column are aimed at teenage readers, but of course, older readers will likely also enjoy them. The number of stories in both volumes total up to 20. Because I'm feeling cheeky today, I'm going to talk about some of the stories but not specify which book it came from.
Unless it's really obvious... like The show more Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.
In the beginning of his story, Henry Sugar is a rich and selfish man. His main concern in life is making sure that he stays wealthy. He stumbles upon a strange story in a friend's library, written by a doctor who interviewed an Indian who can see without using his eyes.
The doctor's story conveniently describes how the Indian achieved this, so Henry followed the instructions. Three years and three months passed before he perfected his yogi-inspired powers.
But something happened to Henry in that time. He no longer finds pleasure in casinos and the shallow pursuit of riches. Yet he possesses the skill to clean out any casino he chooses to play in. An incident with a policeman gave him an idea, and Henry sets out to do good.
It's also rather obvious which book The Great Automatic Grammartizator came from.
Adolph Knipe's invention, the great automatic computing engine, is a success but Knipe is feeling depressed. By night, he is a writer, and not a very successful one either.
When sent home by his boss Mr Bohlen for a well-deserved holiday, Knipe mourns his failure as a writer before hitting upon an idea. After spending all of his holiday thinking about it, he convinces Mr Bohlen to back him on this and invented what is virtually an automatic story writing engine, able to produce works depending on the target audience.
Any writer, especially those who've ever gotten a reject slip, could appreciate the wicked humour behind this piece.
Another one with wicked humour that made me laugh out loud ("LOL" to you Internet people) at the end is "Mrs Bixby and The Colonel's Coat". Mrs Bixby have been having an affair with someone only known to us as the Colonel. Her carefully concealed trips have been successful so far, until the Colonel gave her a luxurious mink coat.
There was no way Mrs Bixby will be able to explain this to her husband. She devises a plan on the way home and left the coat in a pawn shop. Upon returning home, she tells Mr Bixby that she found a pawn ticket in the taxi she took, and sent him off to collect. That's where the fun begins.
A story that I found particularly harrowing to read comes under the peaceful-sounding title of The Swan.
Precocious Peter Watson is unfortunate enough to be out in the woods birdwatching alone when local bullies Ernie and Raymond came along. They made him their captive and subjects him to the kind of cruelty we associate with people who grow up to become serial killers.
First, they tied Peter to the train tracks and let him believe that he'll be run over. Finally, they shot a swan, cut her wings off and tied them to Peter's arms. They made him climb a tree as high as he could go and made him jump.
The surprise came when Peter discovers that he is one of those souls whom bullies will never break.
Dahl delights with his humour, yet some stories contain a sensitivity that moved me. As an extra bonus, one of these books contain Dahl's account on how he got his luck break into writing, as well as his very first published piece. Both of these pieces offer a glimpse into how this surprising man accidentally became one of the greatest authors in modern literature.
(2006) show less
Tretze relats curts que ens situen dins la societat anglesa dels anys 1930, 1940 i 1950, i ens mostren la forma de relacionar-se entre ells. Són narracions entretingudes i sempre amb una gran sorpresa al darrer paràgraf. Sorprenents i imaginatives, es llegeixen amb facilitat i resulten agradables de seguir.
!. La gran gramatitzadora automàtica: Què passaria si una màquina fos capaç d'organitzar les paraules introduïdes de tal manera que de la impressora en sortissin ja escrits conte i novel.les sense cap intervenció de l'escriptor? Com es capgiraria el món editorial.
2.L'home del sud: Un home és capaç de fer juguesques de forma contínua i tot per amputar dits als que competerixen amb ell, fins i tot la seva dona gairebé li show more queden dits a les mans.
3. La senyor Bixly i l'abric del coronel: Ella creu que durant 8 anys ha estat capaç de mantenir en secret que té un amant que és coronel, però en acabar-se la relació aquest li regala un abric de visó de gran valor, com amagar-ho al marit i poder-lo portar tranquil.la, l'empenyorament li sembla la millor solució, però les coses no surten com ella havia previst. I el marit dentista gaudeix amb una revenja.
4.El majordom: Un nou ric, el Sr Cleaver corredor de borsa, contracta un majordom i un xef francès per brillar dins la societat a la que acaba d'entrar. Ell intenta comprar obres d'art i adquirir cultura, el majordom l'educarà ensenyant-li que és un bon vi i com sa de prendre per lluir-se davant dels convidats, però de fet els que surten guanyant són el xef i el majordom-
5. La dispesera: En Billy , un noi de disset anys surt de Londres en tren per incorporar-se a la seva primera feina, com que es lluny per anar i tornar cada dia a casa a de buscar una dispesa, a l'estació n'hi aconsellen una però ell decobreix un "Bed and Breakfast" i demana d'allotjar-s'hi perquè se sent atret per aquella casa. De mica en mica es va adonant d'on sa ficat a casa d'una excel.lent taxidermista.
6. El plaer del capellà: El Sr Boggins és un marxant d'art de Londres que aprofita els caps de setmana per disfressar-se de capellà i recórrer els comtats propers a la recerca de peces de mobiliari de valor, que estan en mans de pagesos que no són conscients del valor del què tenen a casa.Ell els compra per quatre rals i després els ven a preu de caprici, fent el negoci del segle. Un dia troba un tresor, una calaixera repintada però que té un valor excepcional, però els propietaris ignorants del valor del moble en fan estelles.
7. L'home del paraigua: Un home es dedica a estafar a gent oferint-li s paraigües en moments de pluja, a canvi de diners per agafar un taxi per tornar a casa. Ningú malpensa d'ell, és tot un senyor, parla correctament, va ben vestit i és correcte i educat, destil.la elegància. En realitat els diners que recull se'ls gasta al puf vbebent i on a la sortida aprofita per recollir un nou paraigua.
8. Katina: Narració de la Segona Guerra Mundial en territori grec, l'exèrcit britànic lluita contra lees trops nazis. Entremig d'un bombardeix apareix una nena de 9 o10 anys, la Katina, valenta, llesta i deciudida que es converteix en la nineta del batalló fins al desenllaç final.
9. El camí que puja al cel: La Sra Foster és molt puntual i li agradaria arribar sempre un temps abans del previst per no patir, ella es posa molr nerviosa per por de perdre el tren, l'avió o o el vaixell. El seu marit la tortura sempre fent-la esperar fins el darrer moment provocant-li crisis nervioses. Però el dia que havia de marxar a París, no se'n va poder estar i va deixar el seu marit plantat per no perdre l'avió. Uns mesos després quan torna a casa descobreix que l'ascensor està espatllat i que potser el seu marit va quedar a dins.
120. Gelea reial: Una parella acaba de tenir una filla, després de nou anys sense poder tenir fills. La mare està molt preocupada perquè la nena no menja i cada cop pesa menys. El pare està més seré però també li preocupa la questió. Ell és apicultor, en sap molt de l món de les abelles, des de ben petit ha tingut una relació molt especial amb aquesta insectes. Davant la gran preocupació per la seva filla intenta trobar una solució, donar-li gelea reial, i automàticament la petita comença a augmentar de pes. La mare de moment se'n felicita però aquesta solució amagar un problema més greu.
11. La venjança és meva, S.ADos homes desnfeinats i amb manca de biners inventen un negoci per a fer-se rics, la idea se'ls hi acut llegint el diari on un columnista es dedica a parlar malament d'homes i dones rics i famosos. Creen la Venjança S.A., una companyia que ofereix serveis per reparar les ofenses que els reporters inflingeixen a a gent amb diners. La idea és un gran èxit i obtenen unes bones ganàncies només iniciar el projecte, un cop de puny al nas d'un cñélebtrer reporter els aporta tres pagaments de persones que s'han sentit maltractades per ell.
12. El tast: Un sopar en una casa d'un corredor de borsa que de mica en mica es va sofisticant, de mica en mica compra obres d'art, fa sopars amb gent selecte,...Avui Mike Scholfield convida al narrador del relat a ala seva dona, així com també a un expert gurmet i reputat sibarita, aquest individuu entèn de menjar i de vins però avui només té interès en la filla de l'amfitrió, no li treu els ulls de sobre. Sovint en aquests sopars l'amo de la casa i el convidat expert fan juguesques sobre els vins que es tasten en l'àpat. Avui també se'n planteja una, però és ben especial el convidat s'hi juga les seves cases i vol que l'amo s'hi jugui la mà de la seva filla. L'amfitrió està tant convençut que el convidat no podrà endevinar de quin vi es tracta que accepta la juguesca, malgrat l'oposició de la seva filla i la seva dona. El convidat inversamblanment encerta de quin vi es tracta, vol dir que ha guanyat la juguesca però el majordom intervé.
13. El coll: Un noble anglès dedicat a l'estudi de les arts i ha coleccionar obres de gran qualitat, de sobte mort el seu pare i passar a ser l'hereu d'un gran imperi editorial i a ser nomenat Sir, el seu aïllament del món s'acaba i ben bé no sap com moure's en el seu nou paper.Sobretot perquè de sobte li surten moltes pretendentes, finalment i inesperada es casa amb la Natàlia, una dona molt bonica que no se sap molt bé d'on ha sortit, es una desconeguda de la bona societat però aconsegueix ser la seva dona. Lady Turton. Rápidament ella es fa amb els seus negocis i controla la vida del marit. Un dia jugant , jugant amb un coronel queda atrapada en una escultura del magnífic jardí, el coll li queda dins un forat d'una escultura de Henry Moore. Com treure-la 'allà? Amb serra o destral? Faran malbé l'obra de l'insigne artista?
Aquest llibre no es podria publicar en aquests moments, seria políticament incorrecte. show less
!. La gran gramatitzadora automàtica: Què passaria si una màquina fos capaç d'organitzar les paraules introduïdes de tal manera que de la impressora en sortissin ja escrits conte i novel.les sense cap intervenció de l'escriptor? Com es capgiraria el món editorial.
2.L'home del sud: Un home és capaç de fer juguesques de forma contínua i tot per amputar dits als que competerixen amb ell, fins i tot la seva dona gairebé li show more queden dits a les mans.
3. La senyor Bixly i l'abric del coronel: Ella creu que durant 8 anys ha estat capaç de mantenir en secret que té un amant que és coronel, però en acabar-se la relació aquest li regala un abric de visó de gran valor, com amagar-ho al marit i poder-lo portar tranquil.la, l'empenyorament li sembla la millor solució, però les coses no surten com ella havia previst. I el marit dentista gaudeix amb una revenja.
4.El majordom: Un nou ric, el Sr Cleaver corredor de borsa, contracta un majordom i un xef francès per brillar dins la societat a la que acaba d'entrar. Ell intenta comprar obres d'art i adquirir cultura, el majordom l'educarà ensenyant-li que és un bon vi i com sa de prendre per lluir-se davant dels convidats, però de fet els que surten guanyant són el xef i el majordom-
5. La dispesera: En Billy , un noi de disset anys surt de Londres en tren per incorporar-se a la seva primera feina, com que es lluny per anar i tornar cada dia a casa a de buscar una dispesa, a l'estació n'hi aconsellen una però ell decobreix un "Bed and Breakfast" i demana d'allotjar-s'hi perquè se sent atret per aquella casa. De mica en mica es va adonant d'on sa ficat a casa d'una excel.lent taxidermista.
6. El plaer del capellà: El Sr Boggins és un marxant d'art de Londres que aprofita els caps de setmana per disfressar-se de capellà i recórrer els comtats propers a la recerca de peces de mobiliari de valor, que estan en mans de pagesos que no són conscients del valor del què tenen a casa.Ell els compra per quatre rals i després els ven a preu de caprici, fent el negoci del segle. Un dia troba un tresor, una calaixera repintada però que té un valor excepcional, però els propietaris ignorants del valor del moble en fan estelles.
7. L'home del paraigua: Un home es dedica a estafar a gent oferint-li s paraigües en moments de pluja, a canvi de diners per agafar un taxi per tornar a casa. Ningú malpensa d'ell, és tot un senyor, parla correctament, va ben vestit i és correcte i educat, destil.la elegància. En realitat els diners que recull se'ls gasta al puf vbebent i on a la sortida aprofita per recollir un nou paraigua.
8. Katina: Narració de la Segona Guerra Mundial en territori grec, l'exèrcit britànic lluita contra lees trops nazis. Entremig d'un bombardeix apareix una nena de 9 o10 anys, la Katina, valenta, llesta i deciudida que es converteix en la nineta del batalló fins al desenllaç final.
9. El camí que puja al cel: La Sra Foster és molt puntual i li agradaria arribar sempre un temps abans del previst per no patir, ella es posa molr nerviosa per por de perdre el tren, l'avió o o el vaixell. El seu marit la tortura sempre fent-la esperar fins el darrer moment provocant-li crisis nervioses. Però el dia que havia de marxar a París, no se'n va poder estar i va deixar el seu marit plantat per no perdre l'avió. Uns mesos després quan torna a casa descobreix que l'ascensor està espatllat i que potser el seu marit va quedar a dins.
120. Gelea reial: Una parella acaba de tenir una filla, després de nou anys sense poder tenir fills. La mare està molt preocupada perquè la nena no menja i cada cop pesa menys. El pare està més seré però també li preocupa la questió. Ell és apicultor, en sap molt de l món de les abelles, des de ben petit ha tingut una relació molt especial amb aquesta insectes. Davant la gran preocupació per la seva filla intenta trobar una solució, donar-li gelea reial, i automàticament la petita comença a augmentar de pes. La mare de moment se'n felicita però aquesta solució amagar un problema més greu.
11. La venjança és meva, S.ADos homes desnfeinats i amb manca de biners inventen un negoci per a fer-se rics, la idea se'ls hi acut llegint el diari on un columnista es dedica a parlar malament d'homes i dones rics i famosos. Creen la Venjança S.A., una companyia que ofereix serveis per reparar les ofenses que els reporters inflingeixen a a gent amb diners. La idea és un gran èxit i obtenen unes bones ganàncies només iniciar el projecte, un cop de puny al nas d'un cñélebtrer reporter els aporta tres pagaments de persones que s'han sentit maltractades per ell.
12. El tast: Un sopar en una casa d'un corredor de borsa que de mica en mica es va sofisticant, de mica en mica compra obres d'art, fa sopars amb gent selecte,...Avui Mike Scholfield convida al narrador del relat a ala seva dona, així com també a un expert gurmet i reputat sibarita, aquest individuu entèn de menjar i de vins però avui només té interès en la filla de l'amfitrió, no li treu els ulls de sobre. Sovint en aquests sopars l'amo de la casa i el convidat expert fan juguesques sobre els vins que es tasten en l'àpat. Avui també se'n planteja una, però és ben especial el convidat s'hi juga les seves cases i vol que l'amo s'hi jugui la mà de la seva filla. L'amfitrió està tant convençut que el convidat no podrà endevinar de quin vi es tracta que accepta la juguesca, malgrat l'oposició de la seva filla i la seva dona. El convidat inversamblanment encerta de quin vi es tracta, vol dir que ha guanyat la juguesca però el majordom intervé.
13. El coll: Un noble anglès dedicat a l'estudi de les arts i ha coleccionar obres de gran qualitat, de sobte mort el seu pare i passar a ser l'hereu d'un gran imperi editorial i a ser nomenat Sir, el seu aïllament del món s'acaba i ben bé no sap com moure's en el seu nou paper.Sobretot perquè de sobte li surten moltes pretendentes, finalment i inesperada es casa amb la Natàlia, una dona molt bonica que no se sap molt bé d'on ha sortit, es una desconeguda de la bona societat però aconsegueix ser la seva dona. Lady Turton. Rápidament ella es fa amb els seus negocis i controla la vida del marit. Un dia jugant , jugant amb un coronel queda atrapada en una escultura del magnífic jardí, el coll li queda dins un forat d'una escultura de Henry Moore. Com treure-la 'allà? Amb serra o destral? Faran malbé l'obra de l'insigne artista?
Aquest llibre no es podria publicar en aquests moments, seria políticament incorrecte. show less
Mar 27, 2023Catalan
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Roald (pronounced "Roo-aal") was born in Llandaff, South Wales. He had a relatively uneventful childhood and was educated at Repton School. During World War II he served as a fighter pilot and for a time was stationed in Washington, D.C.. Prompted by an interviewer, he turned an account of one of his war experiences into a short story that was show more accepted by the Saturday Evening Post, which were eventually collected in Over to You (1946). Dahl's stories are often described as horror tales or fantasies, but neither description does them justice. He has the ability to treat the horrible and ghastly with a light touch, sometimes even with a humorous one. His tales never become merely shocking or gruesome. His purpose is not to shock but to entertain, and much of the entertainment comes from the unusual twists in his plots, rather than from grizzly details. Dahl has also become famous as a writer of children's stories. In some circles, these works have cased great controversy. Critics have charged that Dahl's work is anti-Semitic and degrades women. Nevertheless, his work continues to be read: Charlie and Chocolate Factory (1964) was made into a successful movie, The BFG was made into a movie in July 2017, and his books of rhymes for children continue to be very popular. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- The Great Automatic Grammatizator and Other Stories
- Original title
- The Great Automatic Grammatizator and Other Stories
- Alternate titles
- The Umbrella Man and Other Stories
- Original publication date
- 1997
- First words
- Well, Knipe, my boy. (The Great Automatic Grammatizator)
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I noticed for the first time two little warm roses of colour appearing on his cheeks, and above them, all around the corners of his eyes, the twinkling tiny wrinkles of a smile. (Neck)
- Disambiguation notice
- Thirteen stories, selected for teenagers, from Dahl’s adult writings. This collection with the same group of stories is published in the UK as "The Great Automatic Grammatizator and Other Stories" and in the US as "The Um... (show all)brella Man and Other Stories".
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