Roald Dahl is a man whose career as a writer was destined by fate. He had everything in his life: a difficult childhood, war, exotic travel and exploration, marriage with a Hollywood star and happy fatherhood. Roald expounded his impressions and thoughts in books: detective stories, science fiction novels and even stories for children. His works became the basis for popular films and made the author truly famous.
Childhood and youth
The biography of the future writer began in 1916. The boy was born on September 16 to a family of Norwegian immigrants and was named after the famous traveler Roald Amundsen. Later, Dahl himself admitted that his name determined fate: it was simply impossible to remain an ordinary person with him.
In addition to Roald, Harald and Sophie Dahl had 5 more children in the family, but one of the daughters died of appendicitis. The father also died early, leaving the family on the brink of survival. The mother, despite the difficulties and eternal problems with money, always found time for the spiritual education of her children. Roald recalled her amazing stories about Norse trolls and other fairy creatures, folk tales and legends. Sophie turned them into fun little performances and never repeated herself. It is possible that the future writer received his literary gift from his mother.
At the age of seven, the grown boy was sent to a closed school in Landaff, and then transferred to a boarding school. Roald could hardly bear the oppressive atmosphere of educational institutions, moreover, he suffered from the bullying of classmates. At the age of 13, the boy went to the Repton school with especially cruel methods of education. The writer always considered these years to be the most difficult and hopeless. The boy sent home letters full of longing, which later served as the basis for an autobiographical novel.
Roald did not like to study, but he enjoyed playing sports. Having barely finished school, the young man did not go to university, deciding to start his career as a photographer. The next step was a trip to Africa as a Shell employee.
The beginning of the literary path
The literary career began in Africa. Here Roald wrote his first story, which was quickly published. Further writing experiments were interrupted by the war. Dahl volunteered for the fountain, trained as a military aviation pilot, but was seriously wounded in the first battle. The novice pilot had to make an emergency landing, after which he was hospitalized with a severe head injury. Having restored his health, Roald returned to the Air Force, taking part in air battles over Greece, Libya, and Syria.
In 1942, Dahl was commissioned, offering him the post of assistant military attaché in Washington. This position made it possible to freely study literature.
The author's debut was a cycle of stories about the war, which were later collected into a book. At the same time, Dahl was working on children's stories about fairy-tale creatures, which he called gremlins. The book of the same name would later become the basis for the film script.
In 1945, Dahl returned home and settled with his mother. He writes a fantasy novel, but fails, after which he decides to specialize in short stories and short stories. In 1953, Dahl's new collection, entitled "Claude's Dog", was published. Later, the book will receive the Edgar Poe Prize, which recognizes especially original works that combine grotesque, mysticism and humor.
In addition to short stories, Dahl successfully writes scripts. After moving to the United States, he creates over 20 stories for film and television. The original English author's books have been translated into various languages and sold in impressive numbers. On Dahl's account there are many prestigious awards and the unofficial title of "king of black humor."
In the 60s and 70s, the writer worked a lot on works for children. The first book was the fantastic story "James and the Miracle Peach", which was a great success with publishers. Then came Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Glass Elevator, Danny the World Champion, Matilda, The Witches. The books were richly illustrated and republished many times, enjoying constant popularity among children and parents.
In 2000, Roald Dahl was voted Britain's most popular writer. The royalties from his works go to a personal charitable foundation that helps children with neurological and hematological diseases.
Personal life
In the early 50s, the writer moved to New York, where he met the actress Patricia Neal. A whirlwind romance broke out between a successful writer and a rising star, in 1953 the couple got married. The family had five children: four daughters and the only son, Theo Matthew. The father adored the kids: because of the constant filming of Patricia, it was he who was raising children.
The family idyll was interrupted by a tragedy: a carriage with his son was hit by a car, the boy received a severe head injury. The consequences were dire; due to internal injuries, the boy developed hydrocephalus. To help the child, Dahl was personally involved in the development of a valve to regulate cranial pressure. Thanks to the efforts of the doctors, the boy recovered, but soon a new tragedy came to the family: the eldest daughter died of measles. Unable to withstand the shocks, Patricia took to her bed, Roald took over all the worries about his wife.
In 1983, the couple divorced by mutual agreement. Soon Dahl remarried, to Felicity D'Abro. The writer lived with her until the end of his life, there were no joint children in this marriage. Roald Dahl died in 1990 from a blood disease. He is buried at home in Oxfordshire. The writer bequeathed to put in the grave everything that he especially loved: a bottle of the best Burgundy, chocolate, a set of pencils, a chainsaw and snooker accessories. Roald Dahl's last wish was granted.
