Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7907 in Books
• Published on: 1992-10-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 762 pages

Synopsis
This is a complete collection of the superb short stories which have appeared in: "Over To You", "Kiss Kiss", "Someone Like You", "Switch Bitch" and eight further stories: "The Umberella man"; "Mr Botibol"; "Vengeance in Mine inc"; "The Butler"; "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life"; "The Bookseller"; and, "The Hitchhiker, The Surgeon".

Customer Reviews

One of the best short story anthologies around
Brilliant collection of superbly entertaining short stories from the master of the craft. At this price this book is a must for fans of short fiction. My only gripe: I wasn't so keen on some of Dahl's war time stories in "Over to You", but the rest of this collection is truly divine and contains tales I know I'll want to read again. Dahl tells a story without any wavering towards pretentious waffle (so prevalent amongst modern short fiction) and keeps the reader hooked with great characterisation and clever plots. A joy.

A terrific collection of the macabre, twisted and blackest humour
Roald Dahl is known in equal measure as an exquisute writer of children's fiction and as a writer of brilliant short stories with a twist in the tail aimed at the adult market. This collection is just about the definitive collection of the latter of these two of Dahl's endeavours. All the favourites such as Lamb To The Slaughter, A Dip In The Pool and The Hitch-hiker are there together with several less well known offerings. In all, there are 51 short stories in this collection. The tales all explore some of the more interesting, though not necessarily pleasant elements of humanity. Revenge, jealousy, creating misfortune, greed and envy all feature highly and Dahl's style is to inject black humour and irony. There is uncertainty with every story whether it will be the protagonist or the antagonist who emerges from the story the more triumphant. One thing is certain however, the reader is compelled to read on and on and enjoy every minute of the intricate weaving of Dahl's writing.

These stories are extremely well written and entertaining.
This book is packed solid with 52 highly entertaining stories that have so many startling twists and turns you will not want to stop reading. Each well-written story is unique in its own way, whether it be thrilling, amusing, sad or altogether intriguing. The characters, even the dislikable ones, are so splendidly created and lifelike that you will be completely engrossed in their lives. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read for those who love a good twist-in-the-tale story.