Posted on 02/25/2023 6:07:19 PM PST by grundle
Children’s author threatened to strike if editors changed ‘a single comma’ of his writing and claimed ‘Marx and Lenin’ were responsible
Roald Dahl threatened to never write another word if his publishers ever changed his language, promising to send his “Enormous Crocodile” to gobble them up if they did so.
The writer’s fury at the prospect of publishers censoring his books has emerged in the wake of the row over Puffin altering several passages from his famous children’s stories.
Dahl made his comments 40 years ago, in a recorded conversation with his friend Francis Bacon, the painter, in which he anticipated the impact that “political correctness” might have on his work.
He told Bacon: “I’ve warned my publishers that if they later on so much as change a single comma in one of my books, they will never see another word from me. Never! Ever!”
In the recording, the writer, who had Norwegian roots, added: “When I am gone, if that happens, then I’ll wish mighty Thor knocks very hard on their heads with his Mjolnir. Or I will send along the Enormous Crocodile to gobble them up.”
Dahl’s comments emerged after Puffin announced on Friday that it will reissue his books in their uncensored form, following the backlash over its decision to alter key sections.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Roald Dahl had some amazing WWII adventures as a fighter pilot. Starting out, he was given an obsolete Gloster Gladiator (the last biplane fighter aircraft used by the RAF) and sent in the wrong direction in Egypt. He ran out of fuel and crashed in the desert which blinded him for a while. And that was just the start.
Obviously his estate is fine with it.
Keep the money rolling in.
“Come and listen to my Crocodile rock!”
Although he is known for writing children’s books, he also wrote adult mysteries.
Although he is known for writing children’s books, he also wrote adult mysteries.
He is one of my favorite authors for adult reading. His short stories always left me laughing, and “My Uncle Oswald” was obscenely humorous.
A few years back, I found Tales of the Unexpected on Britbox I believe, one of the British streaming services. The series was based on his books.
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