Selected Short Stories

by Roald Dahl

Later known for his immortal children’s books, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, and Matilda, Roald Dahl also had a genius for adult short fiction, which he wrote throughout his life. Whether fictionalizing his dramatic exploits as a Royal Air Force pilot during World War II or concocting the ingeniously plotted fables that were dramatized on television as Tales of the Unexpected, Dahl was brilliant at provoking in his readers the overwhelming desire to know what happens next—and at satisfying that desire in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable.

In this collection:

-A Fine Son
-Death of an Old Man
-Parson’s Pleasure
-Poison
-The Hitch-Hiker
-The Wish
-Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat
-Dip in the Pool
-The Landlady
-Skin
-Lamb to the Slaughter
-Man from the South
-The Way Up to Heavan
-The Umbrella Man
-Taste
-The Swan
-William and Mary

Filled with devilish plot twists, his tales display a tantalizing blend of macabre humor and the absurdly grotesque. Dahl’s creations amuse and shock us in equal measure, gleefully reminding us of what might lurk beneath the surface of the ordinary.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Roald 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.

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up reading Roald Dahl's fancifully twisted children's books, so when, at a bookstore in Paris, I came upon his collected short stories I simply had to have it! Little did I know, Dahl's brilliant ability to weave a mesmerizing story out of disturbingly twisted subjects extended to an adult level. I felt transported and hypnotized by most of his short stories. Many are macabre. Most have unexpected twists and turns that keep you gasping. But all reflect his iconic storytelling abilities and unapologetically wicked sense of humor.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea that Roald Dahl was so creepy.

[Bahman Bahman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roald Dahl (September 13, 1916 to November 23, 1990) was a British author who penned 19 children's books over his decades-long writing career. In 1953 he published the best-selling story collection Someone Like You and married actress Patricia Neal. He published the popular book James and the Giant Peach in 1961. In 1964 he released another highly successful work, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was later adapted for two films.

[Riya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll start with this.. I love you Roald Dahl, you weirdo. The last book from Dahl that I had read before this one was Charlie and Chocolate factory, hence I decided to revive some Roald Dahl brilliance 10 years later. While I started reading this book with a pink childlike eagerness in my eyes, I was lead to a series of really twisted stories, some of which made me feel like I was being lunged off the roof top in my sleep. Well this book left me petrified, startled, impressed, happy, romantic, melanchilic all at once sometimes. I read some of the stories again and again and excerpts from this book crawl up my brain sometimes in different life situations.

[Markéta Peřestá · Rating 5 out of 5]

Od tohoto autora jsem četla knihu Milostné rošády, které je sbírkou 4 krátkýc milostných povídek. Každá z těch povídek má nečekaný konec, nikdy žadný happy end, ale spíše něco překvapivé. Některé konce jsem hodně smutné, některé tragikomické. Ovšem ve všech případech jsem dospěla k jasnému závěru, že nakonec vlastně si za svůj osud můžou hlavní postavy samy.

[Nia Nymue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like the army stories. I like the stories in his later collections most.

[Shashank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from the army stories, everything else is a brilliant collection. The stories of his philandering uncle who left him his chronicles are the most amusing.

[Jenny Burridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Nadieh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories weren't really my thing.