I always loved Danny, Champion of the World. It may have been my favorite Roald Dahl, although of course Charlie is wonderful, and James is wonderful, too. But for some reason, I always loved Danny.
We decided to read it to the Perfect Non-Reader as a bedtime book, a chapter a night. Actually, we decided to read a Roald Dahl book, and she eenie-meenie-minie-moed her way to Danny. I was a little concerned, because (a) it’s a dark book, with a fair amount of violence and scary stuff, and (2) it’s a world far more alien to her than Droon. But she adored it.
I also was a little startled to remember that the book is just gleeful about the lawbreaking. Mr. Dahl clearly understands that poaching is thieving, and the rationale is that it’s thieving from someone rich and bad, so it’s OK. Also, it’s so much fun! And you should always do dangerous things that are fun, right?
There’s evidently a theatrical adaptation that, from the trailer, looks rather swell. I wonder if somebody will put it on here.
Tolerabimus quod tolerare debemus,
-Vardibidian.