katrina_ingram's review against another edition
3.0
After reading and enjoying ‘boy’ I wanted to continue dahls memoirs. The start of this book was so interesting, I loved reading about his time in Africa and all the wildlife. Around 30% in the war starts and he is trained as a pilot, around then it just starts to get pretty boring for me. I knew it was going to focus on his time in the war I just expected to enjoy it more
luthiennienna's review against another edition
5.0
I had read this years previous to this re-read and I did not remember much.
I must have read Catch-22 in the years between because some of the situations in the war that Dahl recounts are very similar to those described in the fiction of Heller.
Well worth a read for the historical aspect, and Dahl’s writing is always a pleasure.
I must have read Catch-22 in the years between because some of the situations in the war that Dahl recounts are very similar to those described in the fiction of Heller.
Well worth a read for the historical aspect, and Dahl’s writing is always a pleasure.
foreverday's review
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5
I read the first portion of this book, enjoying the anecdotes (the bald man & his wigs in particular was a favourite) and also how his distinctive writing style came through even in non-fiction. I then reached the bit where he signs up to the RAF and wasn't sure how much I would like the next section. It's good to read history (so as not to repeat it etc etc) but I am just not terribly fond of war memoirs in general. But, happily, I was wrong, and actually enjoyed the sections where he was flying and fighting more than what had come before.
His account of his flights were terribly exciting, and more than a little insane. To hear the numbers (13/16 pilots dead in one section, 4/6[?] dead in another) and the situations you almost can't believe first, the waste of life and secondly, how he managed to come out alive. It's crazy to think how close the world came to never having Danny the Champion of the World, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and so many more. Rather sad as well, thinking of the potential lost in so many others.
All in all, the first part was an enjoyable read, but the second part was a gripping one, and I very much enjoyed reading about the man behind the books.
I read the first portion of this book, enjoying the anecdotes (the bald man & his wigs in particular was a favourite) and also how his distinctive writing style came through even in non-fiction. I then reached the bit where he signs up to the RAF and wasn't sure how much I would like the next section. It's good to read history (so as not to repeat it etc etc) but I am just not terribly fond of war memoirs in general. But, happily, I was wrong, and actually enjoyed the sections where he was flying and fighting more than what had come before.
His account of his flights were terribly exciting, and more than a little insane. To hear the numbers (13/16 pilots dead in one section, 4/6[?] dead in another) and the situations you almost can't believe first, the waste of life and secondly, how he managed to come out alive. It's crazy to think how close the world came to never having Danny the Champion of the World, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and so many more. Rather sad as well, thinking of the potential lost in so many others.
All in all, the first part was an enjoyable read, but the second part was a gripping one, and I very much enjoyed reading about the man behind the books.
tunks's review against another edition
4.0
What an amazing story! can't imagine having like experiences like that! wow. Fascistic autobiographical account
mariahroze's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second autobiography of Roald Dahl's life. The first book was Boy: Tales of Childhood. I suggest reading them in order, but it wouldn't be the worst thing ever if you didn't!
Here is my review on the first book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1664300785?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
This book starts at the age of 18 (and the first book goes up to the age 18). I really enjoyed this book! BUT, it only focused on him fighting in the war. I was hoping it would cover more than that. The war only lasted for a couple of years... He did get badly hurt and almost die, so that was extremely interesting to read about. It was crazy to think what literature would be like if Roald had died in the war.
However, this book left me with a ton of unanswered questions. Like, what happened when he went home after the war? What did he do for work? How did he start writing, etc? I felt it was only an autobiography about a tiny bit of his life. It was probably the most tragic part of his life, but still only a little bit of it. It made me feel like there was still a lot missing or that there should have been another book after Going Solo.
I suggest this book to anyone that enjoys him as a an author or likes autobiographies.
Here is my review on the first book: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1664300785?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
This book starts at the age of 18 (and the first book goes up to the age 18). I really enjoyed this book! BUT, it only focused on him fighting in the war. I was hoping it would cover more than that. The war only lasted for a couple of years... He did get badly hurt and almost die, so that was extremely interesting to read about. It was crazy to think what literature would be like if Roald had died in the war.
However, this book left me with a ton of unanswered questions. Like, what happened when he went home after the war? What did he do for work? How did he start writing, etc? I felt it was only an autobiography about a tiny bit of his life. It was probably the most tragic part of his life, but still only a little bit of it. It made me feel like there was still a lot missing or that there should have been another book after Going Solo.
I suggest this book to anyone that enjoys him as a an author or likes autobiographies.
katie_martinez's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0