Danny, the Champion of the World

I’ve been on a minor Roald Dahl kick recently, by which I mean that I have read two books by this celebrated author in the last couple of weeks.  Although the first chapter book I remember receiving was Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, I am not a lifelong fan.  I have liked some of his books, including Kiss Kiss, a collection primarily of fiendishly fun short stories, definitely for adults.  I was unimpressed by Matilda; I found it two-dimensional, and I much prefer the movie version.  And I have not (yet) read the iconic Charlie and the Chocolate Family.  (I hope this admission does not alienate the army of Dahl enthusiasts.)

While sitting with a cat in my lap, I reached for a book and found Danny, the Champion of the World.  (I had forgotten that the short story upon which this is based appeared in Kiss Kiss.)  I immediately fell in love with Danny, a nine-year-old boy, and his father, William, a widower auto mechanic who is passionate about many things, but mostly about his son.  Such is their love for each other that, if given a choice, Danny would rather work on cars with his father than play with his school mates.  (In the context of the story, this is actually a lovely thing; more on that later.)

Danny discovers that another of his father’s passions is poaching.  William is intrigued by the quest for the big score, as was his own father.  Fresh fish and fowl are delicious, but equally enticing is the opportunity to put one over on the local wealthy landowner and bully, Mr. Hazell.  Those of you who know Dahl will recognize his penchant for backing the underdog.  Danny finds his father’s enthusiasm contagious, and they collaborate on the next quest: to spoil the opening day of pheasant hunting on Hazell’s grounds. 

Dahl does not shy away from the chance to introduce some nail-biting episodes – not enough to scare most children, but sufficient to add dramatic tension.  Danny is both brave and resourceful in meeting challenges.  In the end, however, laughter carries the day!

It is likely that some parents will not be happy with a story that glorifies illegal activity, although the target is so cartoonishly despicable that he virtually cries out for his comeuppance.  Others might frown on Dahl’s anti-authority stance; in Danny he ridicules not only the wealthy landowner but also a sadistic schoolmaster.  William is righteously enraged, demonstrating that he is, after all, human.  Some parents might like to see Danny playing with friends, rather than being isolated at home.  To Dahl’s credit, Danny’s father has the same concern.  I suspect that when Danny gets a little older he’ll spread his wings and find independence. 

This story of a boy and his father is in all other ways so endearing that I hope concerned parents will let their children give it a try.  I think it would be a great book to read with your child.  Many of us would envy the father-son relationship; some may strive for it.  Soon I’ll take up the other of my recent Dahl discoveries, The BFG.  Happy reading!