Boy

One of my most memorable characters in "Boy" is the Math's teacher who did not know anything about Maths, but spent most of the time telling exciting stories that never had anything to do about Maths. In order that none of the other teachers discovered this, the teacher used to write up long equations on the board but never explained them to the class. I would very much like it if my Maths teacher did the same but I do not think many teachers today would approve of his teaching methods! The horrid and strict school matron is another memorable character. She made Dahl's life a misery and I found her a very unsympathetic character. Her manner reminded me of my old school matron, as she was one of the fiercest members of staff in the school.

Dahl describes his school, his home and Norway in great detail and makes it easy for the reader to visualise these settings such as when he describes the headmaster's mahogany office where he kept a cane in the cupboard. His own feelings of joy such as when he was named captain of the Fives team and pain such as when he had his adenoids removed are perfectly described and the reader is easily able to identify with them. Dahl appears to be good-natured boy and appears to be fair and unbiased in his description of other characters.

Whilst reading "Boy" I felt inspired to make the most out of life and it proved to me that even the everyday life of a schoolboy could be looked at in a new light. Dahl appears to enjoy his life and tried making as many friends as possible. He had a positive and cheerful outlook on life which helped get through darker and difficult times and I think many people could benefit if they took the same outlook. I have read many other books by Dahl including Going Solo and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but I think "Boy" is superior. I would recommend this book to anyone whatever their age or taste of book.

Every child who loves the books of Roald Dahl will be intrigued to discover some of the remarkable things that happened to the writer as a boy and as a young man. This autobigraphy presents humorous anecdotes from his childhood including holidays in Norway and an English boarding school.