Dahl was a misanthrope and a genius Roald into one
Road Dahl died on November 23 1990 yet this giant of children’s literature has never been so present in our imaginations. He vies with JK Rowling and Enid Blyton for the title of world’s favourite children’s author, with one of his books estimated to be sold somewhere in the world every 10 seconds.
In the past number of years, meanwhile, four of his novels have received lavish Hollywood adaptations: James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr Fox and, just this year, The BFG, directed by Steven Spielberg.
