Barnes & Noble originally had this on sale for less than $10 and it was worth every penny.  Roald Dahl is famous for his “children’s stories” such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and The BFG.  You probably read them all as a kid, just like me.  This book is a large collection of his twisted little short stories, clocking in at around 20 pages or so each.  The subtitle is: “Perfect Bedtime Stories For Sleepless Nights”.

If I needed to be reminded of the man’s genius, I think this was the perfect vehicle.  Each of these stories offers quick characterizations of some curious and flawed people.  It then hastily sketches some twisted little setup or plot.  And each finishes with a nasty, clever little turn of events which rarely failed to shock.  These are not Disney stories.  “Wicked” is the best word I could use to describe them.  One of the short stories was used in Tarantino’s segment of “Four Rooms” – about the never-fail Zippo lighter.

This book also offers insight into the Harry Potter phenomenon.  I don’t think kids typically prefer cloying or treacle-ish stories.  Rowling, like Dahl, understands that kids appreciate deft touches of evil, naughty, and unfair.  I sure do.