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Donald Sturrock charts Dahl's final years and how his extraordinary spell on children has endured. With Julian Rhind-Tutt and Ian McDiarmid.

"Roald Dahl thought biographies were boring. He told me so while munching on a lobster claw."

The new biographer of Dahl is Donald Sturrock, who once made a film about the writer, so knew the man and his family very well. His book charts Dahl's rich and varied life as fighter pilot, intelligence operative, and the adult writer who then wrote for children in such an impactful way that he remains hugely popular with today's young readers. He was truly on their wavelength. He spoke to them through books such as Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The BFG and Danny, Champion of The World.

Sturrock investigates Dahl's eternal popularity as a writer. And of course the man behind the books...

5. Even close to death Dahl was in mischievous mood, and his appeal to children will never fade.

Reader Julian Rhind Tutt and the voice of Dahl is Ian McDiarmid.

Producer Duncan Minshull.

15 minutes

Last on

Sat 18 Apr 2015 02:45

Broadcasts

  • Fri 10 Sep 2010 09:45
  • Sat 11 Sep 2010 00:30
  • Fri 14 Jun 2013 14:45
  • Fri 17 Apr 2015 14:45
  • Sat 18 Apr 2015 02:45

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