Few storytellers have captured the imaginations of readers like Roald Dahl. Best known for his beloved children’s books—Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and The BFG—Dahl created worlds of dark humor, mischievous heroes, and villainous grown-ups that continue to delight audiences of all ages. At the same time, however, Dahl’s literary legacy is shadowed by his well-documented antisemitism, forcing a reappraisal of his work and posing a challenge to modern readers who must grapple with the author’s full complexity.
By many measures, Dahl lived an extraordinary life not only as an author, but also as an adventurer, fighter pilot, and inventor. He served in World War II, married actress Patricia Neal, and, prompted by their son’s brain injury, helped develop a life-saving medical device. Even today, more than 35 years after his death, Dahl remains one of the bestselling authors of all time.
But at a time when Dahl’s own family has issued an apology for the "lasting and understandable hurt" caused by his objectionable personal beliefs, he remains a divisive figure. A new Broadway play has thrown fresh light on this aspect of Dahl’s legacy, in a manner that its star John Lithgow describes as “alarmingly timely.”
Historian and author Daniel Stashower explores Dahl’s complicated life and legacy, while actor Scott Sedar brings to life some of the writer’s most memorable stories.
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