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54th out of 376 books
—
282 voters
Boy and Going Solo
Roald Dahl's life was as bizarre, funny, exciting and funny as the stories he wrote. Now you can read the whole of his extraordinary autobiography in one volume.
Paperback, 400 pages
Published
April 5th 2001
by Puffin
(first published October 29th 1992)
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This is overall an extremely interesting book. Being an auto-biography I initially thought this book would just be a list of events of Roald Dahl's Life but with a more professional flare. I was right however that being said, Dahl's life is extremely interesting and his previous experiences were amazing to read. His hard work from a young age is a testament to his amazing success in the literary industry. He was able to accommodate humour, suspense, emotion, and interesting writing techniques wh...more
Very enjoyable edition of these two autobiographical memoirs of Roald Dahl's. 'Boy' covers his family background and childhood in Wales and summer holidays in Norway, followed up by his school days at public school in England and eventually his first employment working for Shell and being posted to East Africa in the late 1930s. There is much humour in these chapters and many a story which will ring familiar to any fan of Dahl's writing for children. He has a nice way with words that leads the r...more
I decided to read this book because my brother and my Dad said it was really good.
It fits the "a book that teaches you about another time in history" category because it is an autobiography by Roald Dahl and he's pretty old...
I really, really liked this book because Roald Dahl is a great author and portrays himself well in this book. It's also very interesting because he does a lot of crazy things like fighting in WW2 and when he was younger getting caned heaps. Its really amazing how much stuff...more
It fits the "a book that teaches you about another time in history" category because it is an autobiography by Roald Dahl and he's pretty old...
I really, really liked this book because Roald Dahl is a great author and portrays himself well in this book. It's also very interesting because he does a lot of crazy things like fighting in WW2 and when he was younger getting caned heaps. Its really amazing how much stuff...more
Boy and Going Solo are the stories of classic author's, Roald Dahl's, life. What is an especially intriguing aspect of the author's early life is his memoir of his time in Africa during the World War. Nonetheless, this story can be integrated in with lessons that involve the World War and can be used to teach alongside other memoirs of that time, the differing perspectives during that time.
While I questioned the actual truth about whether Roald Dahl actually experienced some of his alleged ad...more
While I questioned the actual truth about whether Roald Dahl actually experienced some of his alleged ad...more
Another great choice to use as a mentor text for memoir writing, I really enjoy Dahl's autobiographies as opportunities to shed a new light on one of my students' favorite childhood authors.
From the summary on the back of the book, "Roald Dahl's autobiography creates a world as bizarre and unnerving as any you will find in his fiction." My students and I both love recognizing Dahl's voice and writing style, so similar to his fiction works, in the true tale of his life. However, it's great to pu...more
From the summary on the back of the book, "Roald Dahl's autobiography creates a world as bizarre and unnerving as any you will find in his fiction." My students and I both love recognizing Dahl's voice and writing style, so similar to his fiction works, in the true tale of his life. However, it's great to pu...more
My father read 'Boy' to us as children and I remember thinking it was rather amusing. It still is, but it's more of a book written for children than adults. The violence meted out to small children at boarding school back though then makes for truly shocking reading. Thank goodness times have changed.
'Going Solo' is wonderful and more of an adult book. There are many, many stories out there about what it was like to fight in WWII, but this is a fascinating tale of a little-known bit of the war a...more
'Going Solo' is wonderful and more of an adult book. There are many, many stories out there about what it was like to fight in WWII, but this is a fascinating tale of a little-known bit of the war a...more
I'm so glad I decided to reread Boy and Going Solo. Roald Dahl's books were such a big part of my childhood, and I find his life as fascinating as his fiction. Boy was as I remembered - a collection of amusing, heart-warming and sometimes shocking stories from Dahl's early years. The vivid memories he has of the times he spent in Norway make for a beautifully descriptive depiction of the country. In contrast, the tough and sometimes cruel aspects of his life at boarding school leave an impressio...more
This volume is a quick and entertaining read about the life of the much loved children's author Roald Dahl. The first book "Boy", covers his life from birth to the end of his formal education. "Flying Solo" covers his early twenties living in Africa,then his service during WW2 in north Africa.
I really did enjoy these books, but I did find the description of institutional violence in the British school system disturbing. I have read many biographies of people educated in the private school syste...more
I really did enjoy these books, but I did find the description of institutional violence in the British school system disturbing. I have read many biographies of people educated in the private school syste...more
This is a most engaging autobiography. Written in a very accessible style, the two books take Dahl from childhood through to first job (book 1) then from job to pilot in the Middle East in WW2 until he's invalided home. it's one of those stories that does read a little more like fiction than fact. It doesn't steer clear of the bad things that happened, there's death and danger and some moral attitudes expressed. Having said that, it's not terribly in depth analysis, but I do think it would certa...more
Now I know exactly what you're thinking. Another autobiography, yeah yeah, I don't want to read any of this crap. But this time, it's different. Normally autobiography's are about stuff that went on in their childhood and how they took a road to success. Well this is similar, but completely different. Yes, it is about how he grew up and how he got successful, but he puts it in a way that doesn't make you rather watch the grass grow. He has a way of making everything sound exciting. But I'll let...more
Roald Dahl is a masterful story teller -- he spins a bloody good yarn. His memoirs ‘Boy’ and ‘Going Solo’ were vividly captivating. It has been some time, but I recall my imagination being carried away by these real life tales around the age of fifteen.
‘Boy’ is Roald Dahl’s account of childhood. Growing up as a young lad in Wales, it spans his time from birth right up until his first job working for Royal Dutch Shell.
‘Going-Solo’ continues on from here and takes us into Dahl’s war time adventur...more
‘Boy’ is Roald Dahl’s account of childhood. Growing up as a young lad in Wales, it spans his time from birth right up until his first job working for Royal Dutch Shell.
‘Going-Solo’ continues on from here and takes us into Dahl’s war time adventur...more
A friend suggested I read this book when I developed an interest in learning more about the RAF during WWII. I had first become interested through watching the british tv series, Foyle's War which is set during WWII and involves an RAF pilot as the son of the title character.
I really adored this book, not because I learned a great deal about the RAF, but because it is Roald Dahl at his most honest, funny, endearing and dark all at once.
I was shocked to learn from this book how little the actual...more
I really adored this book, not because I learned a great deal about the RAF, but because it is Roald Dahl at his most honest, funny, endearing and dark all at once.
I was shocked to learn from this book how little the actual...more
Memoirs from children book author Raold Dahl's childhood, adolescence and adult life. What an amazing life this man has lead. I kept on wondering how man who has encountered so much tragedy in his personal life, was able to write such entertaining and funny children's books. I was absolutely fascinated. Unfortunately, the second book included in this edition, is not suitable for elementary school students. So, please just stick to the childhood stories for now and keep the rest for when you are...more
In my opinion, this book is great! I loved it so much because it's about Roald Dahl's life. He went through a lot actually, but I won't go into too much detail with that here, because I don't want to ruin it for you.
He wrote this book really well, you can really feel what he felt in the different situations. You really feel like you are right there with him. I couldn't put this book down and I hope you felt/feel the same way!
Roald Dahl can engage readers. I use this one for dictation with middle school students. The story about his adenoids never fails to get a response and keep kids engaged--even when I make them write out sentences and work out the grammar on them. I'd recommend it to anyone, though, just for reading. I can't imagine a better memoir/auto-biography pick for middle school or high school students. Educational without being didactic.
I chose this book because i wanted to try reading an autobiography of some sort and i have always loved Roald Dahl's stories and so was genuinely interested in his life. It was very light and an easy read which though entertaining failed to grasp my full interest. So while i would still recommend it for first time autobiography readers i wouldnt recommend it for someone looking for an in-depth narrative
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This book was about Roald Dahl's childhood and growing up. He started in Norway with his friends and had many exciting adventures. He nearly scared a woman to death by putting a rat in a candy jar. He has been abused my mean teachers and much more. This book was all about his life experiences of him growing up.
I learned that maybe people should have more fun in their lives just like Roald Dahl. Boy was a great, and funny biography.
I learned that maybe people should have more fun in their lives just like Roald Dahl. Boy was a great, and funny biography.
Roald Dahl's stories are enchantment cover to cover that's a fact. Nevertheless, Boy and Going Solo is knowing him in person.. Knowing the humble boy who bravely went against the stream in the boarding schools, the young man with many thirsts for life and his insatiable love for the unknowns, and his nerve wrecking flying dramas. Each page makes you wonder if luck has a quota. This book is a joy and I can't wait for the day I get to go to Dahl museum!
Reading this book made me miss Roald Dahl so much: he's so extraordinary at mixing observation with analysis that you think he's just recounting plain fact/events but a whole world comes to life in the small fripperies of his diction. His ever-present compassion runs parallel to a whimsical nature bordering on the naughty that makes him a pleasure to read, especially given how his lack of pessimism doesn't smack of untextured, ignorant optimism but instead makes you feel like a kid, being read t...more
I recently re-read Boy and Going Solo. Reading the books as an adult gives them a whole new meaning. I was crying at the end of Going Solo when he speaks about returning from the war to see his Mum - he made it sound so straight forward, especially when you compare what it must have been like for him to what our troops are going through now in the current conflict.
Aug 31, 2012
Timothy Bachheimer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
interesting-books
This story about Roald Dahl when he was a boy and when he started going independently from his parents was a really interesting book to read. The book was detailed and people could understand it easily. It was good that Roald Dahl put some of his pictures and put captions underneath it, so it made readers understand what he was talking about.
One of my favorite collections of stories I have read. The story of Dahl's upbringing, all of them are true and they are so fun, imaginative and full of life. Some are pretty bizarre, so it is best to read them before reading aloud to children. Going Solo is really more for adults. A thoroughly good and fun read.
I'd been meaning to read this for years when I found it for less than two dollars at Half Price Books. Mr. Dahl seemed to be the kind of person that things just happened to - I think I'd have all sorts of problems if I had his experiences at boarding school, but he relates them with humor and makes the book a very entertaining read.
Jan 25, 2010
Ellen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
I can't imagine who wouldn't like this book!
Shelves:
non-fiction
I really love Roald Dahl's children's books, but for some reason I never got around to reading his non-fiction, adult books. This one was fantastic! Roald Dahl has such a wonderful voice and such a sense of wonder and humor about life. His memories of his childhood are as full of repugnant characters and hilarious pranks as his children's books are. Notable favorites include the mouse in the candy jar and "goat's tobacco." The second half of this book was Going Solo , Dahl's account of his time...more
Going Solo is Roald Dahl's own story of his early adult life and adventures. He was actually a war hero and flew fighter planes for the Royal Air Force of Great Britain with numerous close calls and a bad crash too. The stories he shares about this period in his life are gripping, and quite a history lesson too. He also spent a few years in Africa and even spoke Swahili and had encounters with poisonous snakes, etc. Well written and helps you get inside this person who has written so many childr...more
Fantastic book for kids! So imaginative and creative. Easy read that children will find delightful!
Roald Dahl is always brilliant! His stories and rhymes are fun and entertaining! Some of my all time favorites!! Such a great way to entertain children and get them interested in reading!
Roald Dahl is always brilliant! His stories and rhymes are fun and entertaining! Some of my all time favorites!! Such a great way to entertain children and get them interested in reading!
Roald Dahl led an interesting early life, and these two books tell the story well. Boy tells the story of Dahl's childhood, until he leaves school, and Going Solo takes it from there until the end of his active service in the second world war. Both worth reading.
Mar 12, 2009
Sara
added it
I read Boy earlier and just finished the second half called Flying Solo. Dahl is living in Africa and joins the RAF. there are couple of lovely passages describing drives he took across the african desert. otherwise, lots of airplane combat stories. boy is better.
This Book is really funny. He had a weird childhood lol. He almost got his nose cut off in a car accident! He would've been tha old skool M.J. lolRoald Dahl
I love Roald Dahl. I read much of this book aloud to Jackson and he enjoyed it as much as I did. I will give most books that I finish five stars. If I am not loving a book, I move on to the next. Truly though this book is a new favorite.
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Roald Dahl (13 September 1916 – 23 November 1990) was a British novelist, short story writer and screenwriter of Norwegian descent, who rose to prominence in the 1940s with works for both children and adults, and became one of the world's bestselling authors.
Dahl's first published work, inspired by a meeting with C. S. Forester, was Shot Down Over Libya. Today the story is published as "A Piece of...more
More about Roald Dahl...
Dahl's first published work, inspired by a meeting with C. S. Forester, was Shot Down Over Libya. Today the story is published as "A Piece of...more
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“La vita di uno scrittore è un vero inferno, confrontata a quella di un uomo d’affari. Lo scrittore deve forzarsi a lavorare, deve imporsi un proprio orario e, se non gli va di sedersi alla scrivania, nessuno lo rimprovera. Se è un romanziere, vive nel terrore: ogni nuovo giorno esige nuove idee, e non si è mai certi che arriveranno puntuali.
Dopo due ore passate si sente completamente svuotato. Durante quelle due ore s’è trovato mille miglia lontano, in un altro luogo, in compagnia di gente totalmente diversa, e lo sforzo che deve fare per tornare indietro a nuoto, nel presente, è assai grande. E’ quasi un trauma. […] Bisogna essere pazzi per fare gli scrittori.
La loro sola compensazione è un’assoluta libertà. Il loro unico padrone è la loro anima ed è per questo che hanno fatto quella scelta, ne sono certo.”
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Dopo due ore passate si sente completamente svuotato. Durante quelle due ore s’è trovato mille miglia lontano, in un altro luogo, in compagnia di gente totalmente diversa, e lo sforzo che deve fare per tornare indietro a nuoto, nel presente, è assai grande. E’ quasi un trauma. […] Bisogna essere pazzi per fare gli scrittori.
La loro sola compensazione è un’assoluta libertà. Il loro unico padrone è la loro anima ed è per questo che hanno fatto quella scelta, ne sono certo.”
Mar 01, 2012 05:48pm