Boy: AND Going Solo

I can honestly say I lost count of the amount of times I have re-read this book (I think last time was only last year and I am now 19!). It was an easy to read book that a child could manage, but it made me aware of some very adult issues - caning children, the birth of the motor car, the wonders of Africa and the shocks of War. At ten years old I knew nothing of these things apart from those which I read in this book. But these issues wern't boring to me, they were entertaining and funny and enjoyable to read.

The idea of Africa was the one which stayed with me. When I finished 6th form I decided to visit the Africa that was written about in Going Solo.

Although it wasn't the only factor, I think this book was the spark which set me on this idea and so I shall never forget it. Thankyou Roald Dahl!


A peek into the life of our children's favourite author   October 3, 2001
stacey.stamp@btinternet.com (Reading, England)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

A funny, sometimes moving account of the childhood and later life of Roald Dahl.

For those of you who are huge fans of all those great characters such as Charlie, Matilda and the BFG, take a closer look at the heart and mind of their creator Roald Dahl.

Roald's biography unfolds in a intimate down to earth style which almost gives you the impression he is telling his story, off the record, just to you.

Boy/Going Solo is a book which will have you holding your breath, laughing out loud and reaching for the tissues before the last page is turned and will definitely leave you wanting to read more.


keenly observed, often hilarious, a page-turner for all ages   April 1, 2000
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I read this book with High School pupils, of all abilities, to develop listening skills and to learn about plot structure, suspense and 'grip'. We all love to hear about the screeching Mrs Pratchett, and learn to fear loud, huge-bosomed Matrons in 'Boy'. In 'Going Solo', Dahl's account of the garden boy's encounter with the Black Mamba holds children rigid with suspense. These are stories which make teaching English really enjoyable. Also, these are among the most borrowed books in our library.


keenly observed, often hilarious, a page-turner for all ages   April 1, 2000
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I read this book with High School pupils, of all abilities, to develop listening skills and to learn about plot structure, suspense and 'grip'. We all love to hear about the screeching Mrs Pratchett, and learn to fear loud, huge-bosomed Matrons in 'Boy'. In 'Going Solo', his account of the garden boy's encounter with the Black Mamba holds children rigid with suspense. These are stories which make teaching English really enjoyable. Also, these are among the most borrowed books in our library.


This is a must read book   April 7, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

As it says on the book - "Roald Dahl's life was as funny, bizarre, fightening and exciting as the stories he wrote" This is 100% true. From being 6 at school to 10 at boarding school in Boy he goes onto being a Hawker Hurricane pilot flying in Greece and the Western desert in 1942. This is an amazing read and it is a book that you will read again and again.