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The Vicar of Nibbleswicke
The Reverend Lee is suffering from a rare and acutely embarrassing situation: Back-to-Front Dyslexia. It affects only his speech, and he doesn't realize he's doing it, but the parishioners of Nibbleswicke are shocked and confused by his seemingly outrageous comments.
At last a cure is found and the mild-mannered vicar can resume normal service. Or at least as normal as is possible for a man who must walk backwards to be sure of talking forwards!
A highly comic tale in the best Dahl tradition of craziness, written for the benefit of the Dyslexia Institute.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
43 people are currently reading
2145 people want to read
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,470 books26.6k followersRoald Dahl was a beloved British author, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot, best known for his enchanting and often darkly humorous children's books that have captivated generations of readers around the world. Born in Llandaff, Wales, to Norwegian parents, Dahl led a life marked by adventure, tragedy, creativity, and enduring literary success. His vivid imagination and distinctive storytelling style have made him one of the most celebrated children's authors in modern literature.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
Before becoming a writer, Dahl lived a life filled with excitement and hardship. He served as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II, surviving a near-fatal crash in the Libyan desert. His wartime experiences and travels deeply influenced his storytelling, often infusing his works with a sense of danger, resilience, and the triumph of the underdog. After the war, he began writing for both adults and children, showing a rare versatility that spanned genres and age groups.
Dahl's children's books are known for their playful use of language, unforgettable characters, and a deep sense of justice, often pitting clever children against cruel or foolish adults. Some of his most iconic titles include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Witches. These works are filled with fantastical elements and moral undertones, empowering young readers to challenge authority, think independently, and believe in the impossible.
Equally acclaimed for his work for adults, Dahl wrote numerous short stories characterized by their macabre twists and dark humor. His stories were frequently published in magazines such as The New Yorker and later compiled into bestselling collections like Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss. He also wrote screenplays, including the James Bond film You Only Live Twice and the adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Despite his literary success, Dahl was a complex and sometimes controversial figure, known for his strong opinions and difficult personality. Nonetheless, his books continue to be treasured for their wit, originality, and the sense of wonder they inspire. Many of his stories have been adapted into successful films, stage plays, and television specials, further cementing his legacy.
Dahl's impact on children's literature is immeasurable. His ability to connect with young readers through a mix of irreverence, heart, and imagination has made his stories timeless. Even after his death, his books remain in print and continue to be read by millions of children worldwide. His writing not only entertains but also encourages curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Roald Dahl's work lives on as a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of a truly original voice. He remains a towering figure in literature whose creations continue to spark joy, mischief, and inspiration across generations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 464 reviews
November 17, 2019
A story that makes you chuckle all the way through :-) And those illustrations by Quentin Blake are so funny! Story is about a vicar, Reverend Lee who suffers from severe dyslexia, which causes some weird situations in his new parish! This story was written by Roald Dahl in the last months of his life. He donated the story for the benefit of the Dyslexia Institute. It's an utterly charming short story, the drawings are just too cute. Great little intermezzo in my reading challenge...Fun!
December 10, 2020
Whimsical and creative!
The people of Nibbleswicke have a new Reverend. And the Reverend has a very peculiar problem - Back-to-Front Dyslexia.
When he gets nervous, he says the most important words backwards. Pastor Lee becomes Pastor Eel preaching about doG. (I can just picture the old ladies in the front pew raising their eyebrows and tsking under their breaths).
This condition, while horribly embarrassing for the Reverend, leads to several hilarious mistakes throughout his first few weeks at the parish.
Whether it be telling his parishioner to kraP alongside the church or complimenting the old ladies on how well they stinK - this book provides charm aplenty and is a delightfully quick read!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
The people of Nibbleswicke have a new Reverend. And the Reverend has a very peculiar problem - Back-to-Front Dyslexia.
When he gets nervous, he says the most important words backwards. Pastor Lee becomes Pastor Eel preaching about doG. (I can just picture the old ladies in the front pew raising their eyebrows and tsking under their breaths).
This condition, while horribly embarrassing for the Reverend, leads to several hilarious mistakes throughout his first few weeks at the parish.
Whether it be telling his parishioner to kraP alongside the church or complimenting the old ladies on how well they stinK - this book provides charm aplenty and is a delightfully quick read!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
May 27, 2015
This is a very dramatic story of a man who overcame a terrible bout of dyslexia as a child only for the disorder to return when he arrives in Nibbleswicke to become the town vicar. Someone slap an Oprah sticker on this book. Character overcoming great odds and obstacles? Heartwarming, touching, grab a hanky!
I'm kidding; the book is 22 pages (24 if you count Quentin Blake's Afterword), so there is no time for drama. But it is an adorable book, and there is some tension and awkwardness as Reverend Robert Lee tries to have regular conversation or (worse!) when he holds a sermon. But he doesn't know his words come out backwards! Zaniness ensues! The good townspeople are at turns concerned, amused, and horrified at some of the things that come out of his mouth. Silly Reverend Robert Lee!
I adore Roald Dahl, especially when he's paired with Quentin Blake's illustrations. Two of my favorite people, together again! Look at all the exclamation points in this review! Excitement!
There's not a lot to say about such a short tome, but it was worth all 45 seconds it took me to read it and I highly recommend it for Dahl-lovers and kidlets alike. I can't give it a full 5 stars because there was little-to-no character development.
I'm kidding; the book is 22 pages (24 if you count Quentin Blake's Afterword), so there is no time for drama. But it is an adorable book, and there is some tension and awkwardness as Reverend Robert Lee tries to have regular conversation or (worse!) when he holds a sermon. But he doesn't know his words come out backwards! Zaniness ensues! The good townspeople are at turns concerned, amused, and horrified at some of the things that come out of his mouth. Silly Reverend Robert Lee!
I adore Roald Dahl, especially when he's paired with Quentin Blake's illustrations. Two of my favorite people, together again! Look at all the exclamation points in this review! Excitement!
There's not a lot to say about such a short tome, but it was worth all 45 seconds it took me to read it and I highly recommend it for Dahl-lovers and kidlets alike. I can't give it a full 5 stars because there was little-to-no character development.
May 5, 2020
Muy divertido 😆
June 14, 2017
This book made me chuckle. The vicar speaks some words backwards and doesn't know it. Cute.
March 1, 2018
This was a very silly story. Dahl's last story is a classic.
February 28, 2024
A Simple Sweet Story about a Vicar who had Dyslexia, very specifically Back-to-Front Dyslexia.
A Real Fun to Read it. A Five Minute Read. A Hilarious Read for the Kids.
A Real Fun to Read it. A Five Minute Read. A Hilarious Read for the Kids.
July 14, 2011
This book ended up on a 4th grade summer reading list for a local school this year, and was just pulled from that list this week by the elementary school principal due to a complaint...so of course I HAD to read it! (My intrigue was heightened by the fact that the grandmother who complained to the principal came right over to the library herself and personally crossed off the title from all of our printed summer reading lists WITH HER OWN SHARPIE. She also asked me to contact other kids who had the book checked out and tell them to read something else, to which I politely told her no. She now is possibly starting the process to challenge this book at our library. But really, all I think she will accomplish is having made me want to read it real bad.)
Anywho, this was a Roald Dahl I hadn't heard of before (although, yes, I will admit to not having read much Roald Dahl at all. Shh...don't tell!). Written in 1991, it's a short little tale of a vicar with an unusual case of dyslexia--he only says the most important word in sentences totally backwards, i.e. god=dog, etc... Confusion ensues. The humor is slightly crass & very British. Of course, sip turns into pis and park turns into krap, which, let's be honest, is probably going to tickle the funny bone of more than a few 4th grade boys. "Therefore I feel it only right to ask members of the congregation not to krap all along the front of the church before the service," had me giggling, but, alas, I have the sense of humor of a 4th grade boy. All in all, a pretty harmless, pretty short, pretty funny little book. Probably not something I would put on a summer reading list though. Not for the "controversial" lines, but more for the outdated vocabulary. Even I had to look up what mufti meant. Not that it's bad to learn new vocab while reading (duh), but the style & tone of this book seems like it would appeal to a very specific reader and wouldn't have the broad appeal hoped for from books on a summer reading list.
Oh, and also, Roald Dahl & Quentin Blake donated all their profits & the copyright to the Dyslexic Association of London, since they are both such big fans of reading. So I say, let's order more copies! :-)
Anywho, this was a Roald Dahl I hadn't heard of before (although, yes, I will admit to not having read much Roald Dahl at all. Shh...don't tell!). Written in 1991, it's a short little tale of a vicar with an unusual case of dyslexia--he only says the most important word in sentences totally backwards, i.e. god=dog, etc... Confusion ensues. The humor is slightly crass & very British. Of course, sip turns into pis and park turns into krap, which, let's be honest, is probably going to tickle the funny bone of more than a few 4th grade boys. "Therefore I feel it only right to ask members of the congregation not to krap all along the front of the church before the service," had me giggling, but, alas, I have the sense of humor of a 4th grade boy. All in all, a pretty harmless, pretty short, pretty funny little book. Probably not something I would put on a summer reading list though. Not for the "controversial" lines, but more for the outdated vocabulary. Even I had to look up what mufti meant. Not that it's bad to learn new vocab while reading (duh), but the style & tone of this book seems like it would appeal to a very specific reader and wouldn't have the broad appeal hoped for from books on a summer reading list.
Oh, and also, Roald Dahl & Quentin Blake donated all their profits & the copyright to the Dyslexic Association of London, since they are both such big fans of reading. So I say, let's order more copies! :-)
May 7, 2024
Este cuento no tiene la mala leche que rezuma normalmente la obra de Dahl, pero no deja de ser divertido y tierno (además de ir muy bien acompañado de las ilustraciones de Blake)
July 29, 2014
Very funny. Had me laughing hysterically!
February 5, 2017
just as funny and crazy as esio trot... it's even more outrageous 'coz robert lee is a vicar ;)
April 5, 2020
"A hearty helping of humor packed into a very small book."
March 5, 2018
pretty hilarious
March 24, 2017
While the Reverend Lee has beat the dyslexia he had as a child, thanks to the help of the Dyslexia Institute of London, when he takes his first post as Vicar of Nibbleswicke, the stress does something to his brain. He starts to have what the doctor eventually dubs back-to-front dyslexia, meaning Rev. Lee speaks words backwards occasionally without realizing it. Normally this isn't much of a problem and makes him an entertaining speaker for Nibbleswicke, but certain words are a little more scandalous when reversed and the local doctor must help him find a cure.
Roald Dahl wrote this to benefit the Dyslexia Institute, which was a very kind gesture. At it's core it's a very short, rather humorous tale about an eccentric pastor with a peculiar disability. But it gets a little edgy for middle grade in that two of the words Dahl has the pastor reverse are sip and park, and of course every time he says God it comes out as something a bit less holy. I'll let you figure out what all of those turn into. Sip and park reversed particularly are borderline words in certain cultures. Some kids and parents won't have a problem with it, while others will want to avoid this tale. Also, some of the terms are very British, like verger and hassocks. Unless kids are well-familiar with British culture they may need some help with the vocabulary. In all, it'd be good to know the reader you hand this to.
Notes on content: See above on some of the reversed words. No sexual content. No violence.
Roald Dahl wrote this to benefit the Dyslexia Institute, which was a very kind gesture. At it's core it's a very short, rather humorous tale about an eccentric pastor with a peculiar disability. But it gets a little edgy for middle grade in that two of the words Dahl has the pastor reverse are sip and park, and of course every time he says God it comes out as something a bit less holy. I'll let you figure out what all of those turn into. Sip and park reversed particularly are borderline words in certain cultures. Some kids and parents won't have a problem with it, while others will want to avoid this tale. Also, some of the terms are very British, like verger and hassocks. Unless kids are well-familiar with British culture they may need some help with the vocabulary. In all, it'd be good to know the reader you hand this to.
Notes on content: See above on some of the reversed words. No sexual content. No violence.
July 31, 2011
I really enjoyed this book and it had me laughing out loud! The story follows the newly arrived vicar of Nibbleswicke and reveals that he has an unusual case of dyslexia; he pronounces certain words backwards. In a particularly comical section of the book, the vicar announces to his congregation that he would like them to refrain from parking around the church, however the word 'park' becomes 'krap'. Although I found it extremely funny (maybe due to my 10 year old sense of humour!) I'm not too sure if this would be seen as unsuitable to some parents? The word 'krap' may not be something they necessarily would like to be included in their child's vocabulary! However, in my view it does seem pretty harmless.
Admittedly I was unaware that this book was amongst Roald Dahl's works however I am pleased I came across it. I believe it would be useful to children during Key Stage two as it not only makes them aware of Dyslexia but also the problems some people face with language. Overall, a very enjoyable book with a light sense of humour which is something I particularly love about Roald Dahl's work, and which is why he will remain to be popular among children and adults!
Admittedly I was unaware that this book was amongst Roald Dahl's works however I am pleased I came across it. I believe it would be useful to children during Key Stage two as it not only makes them aware of Dyslexia but also the problems some people face with language. Overall, a very enjoyable book with a light sense of humour which is something I particularly love about Roald Dahl's work, and which is why he will remain to be popular among children and adults!
March 18, 2017
The Vicar of Nibbleswicke is the story of the Reverend Lee, who has a very unique form of dyslexia which means that he pronounces words backwards. He doesn't realise that this is happening, but thankfully, after a few embarrassing moments with his parishioners, he finds someone who can help him.
A delightful short story in the true spirit of Roald Dahl.
A delightful short story in the true spirit of Roald Dahl.
March 23, 2017
I laughed so hard while reading this one. This is easily Roald Dahl's funniest book. I never thought someone could make a vicar with dyslexia funny, but Dahl managed to do it while also telling a good story! This was short, but it's worth reading! If you want a good laugh, read The Vicar of Nibbleswicke! You won't be disappointed.
February 25, 2017
Fun, short read which will give you a chuckle. Poor Pastor Lee - so many confusing problems - and all because he says random words backwards! This was written for the benefit of the Dyslexia Institute.
January 25, 2019
I laughed out loud several times. This was a cute and funny short story with some heart and made for a good cause. Much less dark than anything I’ve read by Dahl before.
*2nd Read. Read it aloud to my boyfriend, we both laughed at a couple spots. Cute and quick.
*2nd Read. Read it aloud to my boyfriend, we both laughed at a couple spots. Cute and quick.
February 24, 2017
It was so funny!
March 16, 2017
Very silly and funny short story I enjoyed reading.
November 20, 2017
A cute little children's book, Roald Dahl is always entertaining to read more matter what audience he is aiming at.
October 6, 2019
Discovered a Roald Dahl book I didn’t know existed!
Delightful! But not for children!
Delightful! But not for children!
January 6, 2021
So cute! Such typical Roald Dahl humor and whimsy.
September 14, 2024
Blij voor de reading Challenge
September 16, 2011
937th - 2011
Repotnya punya penyakit Back-to-Front Dyslexia.
God jadi Dog.
Knits jadi Stink.
Gulp jadi Plug.
Sip jadi Pis.
What you must do is pis. Pis gently. All of you, all the way along the rail must pis, pis, pis. Do you understand what I mean?
Oh my Dog!
Penyakit ini baru bisa disembuhkan dengan cara jalan mundur. Pake spion lebih baik lagi, biar ga nabrak.
*nemu buku ini di kios buku bekas belakang kantor, cuman dibandrol 5000 rupiah*
Repotnya punya penyakit Back-to-Front Dyslexia.
God jadi Dog.
Knits jadi Stink.
Gulp jadi Plug.
Sip jadi Pis.
What you must do is pis. Pis gently. All of you, all the way along the rail must pis, pis, pis. Do you understand what I mean?
Oh my Dog!
Penyakit ini baru bisa disembuhkan dengan cara jalan mundur. Pake spion lebih baik lagi, biar ga nabrak.
*nemu buku ini di kios buku bekas belakang kantor, cuman dibandrol 5000 rupiah*
July 18, 2012
Love love love!!!
Only Roald Dahl can get away with saying "pis" and "krap" in a children's book and do it with such class! I never actually knew this little book existed until I borrowed it from a friend (and then put it away in my computer bag where it stayed for three years until I discovered it last week).
According to the introduction by Quentin Blake this book was written specifically for the London Dyslexia Institute. Another case of "Flip Roald Dahl is so damn awesome!"
Only Roald Dahl can get away with saying "pis" and "krap" in a children's book and do it with such class! I never actually knew this little book existed until I borrowed it from a friend (and then put it away in my computer bag where it stayed for three years until I discovered it last week).
According to the introduction by Quentin Blake this book was written specifically for the London Dyslexia Institute. Another case of "Flip Roald Dahl is so damn awesome!"
September 25, 2017
I didn't know about this book until just recently - some fun wordplay/s here and a nice message, backed up by the decision to donate the book's publishing to the cause (dyslexia). I guess it came out just after my first wave of reading Roald Dahl's books for children and I never picked it up on the second pass. (Am grateful then for libraries).
December 31, 2017
This short Roald Dahl story was published post-humously. The book was written for the Dyslexia Institute. Both Dahl and the illustrator, Quentin Blake, offered: "the donation of all rights, world-wide, for the period of the copyright." About Dahl and this book, Blake wrote it was "a landmark of both his concern for people and his passionate belief in the importance of reading."
January 7, 2017
I am dying to read this aloud, but I would walk a fine line that might get me in trouble. It would be such a joy, though! Hopefully, parents the world over delight in reading this silly, sometimes vulgar book to their children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 464 reviews