Roald Dahl

Matilda is the world's most famous bookworm, no thanks to her ghastly parents.Her father thinks she's a little scab. Her mother spends all afternoon playing bingo. And her headmistress, Miss Trunchbull? She's the worst of all. She's a big bully, who thinks all her pupils are rotten and locks them in the dreaded Chokey. Despite these beastly grownups trying to push her down, Matilda is an extraordinary girl with a magical mind. And she's had enough. So all the terrible adults had better watch out, because she's going to teach them a lesson they'll never forget!

Mr Twit is a foul and smelly man with bits of cornflake and sardine in his beard. Mrs Twit is a horrible old hag with a glass eye. Together they make the nastiest couple you could ever hope not to meet. Down in their garden, the ghastly, evil Twits keep Muggle-Wump the monkey and his family locked in a cage. But not for much longer! Because the monkeys are planning to trick the terrible Twits and make their escape, once and for all....

Boggis is an enormously fat chicken farmer who only eats boiled chickens smothered in fat. Bunce is a duck-and-goose farmer whose dinner gives him a beastly temper. Bean is a turkey-and-apple farmer who only drinks gallons of strong cider. Mr Fox is so clever that every evening he creeps down into the valley and helps himself to food from their farms - and those ghastly farmers can't catch him!

Throughout his young days at school and just afterwards, a number of things happened to Roald Dahl, which made such a tremendous impression he never forgot them. Boy is the remarkable story of Roald Dahl's childhood; tales of exciting and strange things - some funny, some frightening, all true.

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl, read by Miriam Margolyes, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig. You can think again if you thought you knew the stories of some of the most popular fairy tales. Here are six of the best known retold, with more than a twist or two, by the master of the comic and the blood-curdling.

The Enormous Crocodile is a greedy grumptious brute who loves to guzzle up little girls and boys. But the other animals have a scheme to get the better of this foul fiend, once and for all!

In Dirty Beasts we meet a ghastly menagerie of wonderfully comic animals that can only have been invented by Roald Dahl. There is the toad that jumps to France - at his own peril; the pig who ponders the meaning of life; the anteater who gets the wrong end of the stick; and many more. Snigger, titter and laugh at their antics in this collection of irreverent and absurdly comic verse!

'Well, that did it. I saw red. And before I was able to stop myself, I did something I never meant to do. I PUT THE MAGIC FINGER ON THEM ALL!'

Roald Dahl turns his pen to anything, twisting everyday life into powerful, and sometimes terrifying fantasies. Seven superb stories, full of Roald Dahl's usual magic, mystery and suspense: meet the boy who can talk to animals, the man who can see with his eyes closed, and find out about the treasure, buried deep underground on Thistley Green.

A boy who only gets to eat cabbage soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner finds a Golden Ticket that will take him into Willy Wonka's magical chocolate factory. Joining him on the tour are four horrible blighters: Augustus Gloop - a great big greedy nincompoop, Veruca Salt - a spoiled brat, Violet Beauregarde - a repulsive little gum-chewer and Mike Teavee - a TV addict. With a chocolate river, crafty squirrels and mysterious Oompa Loompas, Mr Wonka's chocolate factory is the strangest, most magnificent place Charlie has ever seen.

Charlie Bucket and his family are rushing around the Earth at seventeen-thousand miles an hour in a great glass elevator. It belongs to the fantastic Mr Willy Wonka, and the adventure becomes even greater upon discovering they're not the only ones orbiting the Earth at that particular time....

Danny thinks his dad is the most marvellous and exciting father any boy ever had - but Danny's dad has a very big secret. This secret leads them both into the strangest adventure of their lives, and a daring plot that makes Danny the champion of the world.

Two new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations of Roald Dahl's gripping autobiographical stories. These two compelling adaptations, based on Roald Dahl's real-life tales of his of his boyhood and youthful overseas adventures, celebrate his remarkable life and commemorate his genius.

'Dear Mama, I am having a lovely time here. We play football every day here. The beds have no springs....' So begins the first letter that nine-year-old Roald Dahl penned to his mother, Sofie Magdalene, under the watchful eye of his boarding school headmaster. For most of his life, Roald Dahl would continue to write weekly letters to his mother, chronicling his adventures, frustrations and opinions, from the delights of childhood to the excitements of flying as a World War II fighter pilot....

The stories on this recording include pieces from the 1950s and 1960s to "The Vicar of Nibbleswicke" which was completed just before he died. This tape includes "The Landlady", "The Hitchhiker", "Mr Botibol", "Edward the Conqueror" and "Taste" and is read by Stephen Fry.

Two husbands secretly agree to a night of passion - with each other's wives; a slighted old man takes an elaborate and chilling revenge on his tormentor; a sculpture comes between a scheming wife and her put-upon husband.... Lust highlights a domestic familiarity always on the edge of something much, much darker.

From Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail, a newly collected audiobook of his darkest stories, read by Will Self, Adrian Scarborough, Stephanie Beacham, Andrew Scott, Richard E Grant, Tamsin Greig, Mark Heap, Juliet Stevenson and Jessica Hynes. Even when we mean to be kind we can sometimes be cruel. We all have streaks of nastiness inside us. In these ten tales of cruelty, master storyteller Roald Dahl explores how and why it is we make others suffer.

From Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail, a newly collected audiobook of his darkest stories, read by Richard Griffiths, Andrew Scott, Derick Jacobi, Mark Heap, Juliet Stevenson and Stephen Mangan. Why do we lie? Why do we deceive those we love most? What do we fear revealing? In these 10 tales of deception, master storyteller Roald Dahl explores our tireless efforts to hide the truth about ourselves.

In Lamb to the Slaughter, Roald Dahl tells a twisted story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a wife serves up a dish that utterly baffles the police....  

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of "Man from the South", a short, sharp, chilling story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale, read by the actor Stephen Mangan. In "Man from the South", Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a man takes part in a very unusual bet, one with appalling consequences.... "Man from the South" is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of "Someone Like You", a short, sharp, chilling story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale, read by the actor Julian Rhind-Tutt. In "Someone Like You", Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells of two wartime pilots arguing over the fickle hand of fate (and the airman).... "Someone Like You" is taken from the short story collection Over to You, which includes nine other dramatic and terrifying tales of life as a wartime fighter pilot.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of 'The Way Up to Heaven', a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail, read by the actress Stephanie Beacham. In 'The Way Up to Heaven', Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a woman obsessed with punctuality makes a fateful decision.... 'The Way Up to Heaven' is taken from the short story collection Kiss Kiss.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Taste, a short, sharp, disturbing story from Roald Dahl, read by the inimitable Richard E. Grant. In Taste, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a dark and curious story about the twisted side of human nature. Here, two men make an unusual and chilling wager over the provenance of a bottle of wine.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of 'The Landlady', a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail, read by the actress Tamsin Greig. In "The Landlady", Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a young man in need of room meets a most accommodating landlady.... 'The Landlady' is taken from the short story collection Kiss Kiss, which includes 10 other devious and shocking stories.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of 'The Sound Machine', a short, sharp, frightening story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale, read by the actor Adrian Scarborough. In 'The Sound Machine', Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a curious invention reveals a horrifying truth about plants.... 'The Sound Machine' is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of “Genesis and Catastrophe”, a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail. Read by the actress Juliet Stevenson. In “Genesis and Catastrophe”, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a baby is born and his worried parents, who have lost children before, are concerned for his future.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of 'The Great Switcheroo', a short, sharp story from Roald Dahl, the master of the twist in the tale, read by the actor Shane Rimmer. In 'The Great Switcheroo", Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a subversive, saucy story of lust and desire. Here, two husbands secretly agree to a night of passion - with each other’s wives.... 'The Great Switcheroo' is taken from the short story collection Switch Bitch.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of “Edward the Conqueror”, a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail. Read by the actress Juliet Stevenson. In “Edward the Conqueror”, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a cat’s curious behaviour comes between a husband and his wife.

In "Death of an Old Old Man", Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a brutal story of pilots and the terror of aerial combat. "Death of an Old Old Man" is taken from the short story collection Over to You, which includes nine other dramatic and terrifying tales of life as a wartime fighter pilot, and is drawn from Dahl’s own experiences during the Second World War.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Mrs Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat, a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail. Read by the actress Stephanie Beacham. In Mrs Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a wife pawns her lover’s parting gift with unexpected consequences.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of “Georgy Porgy”, a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail. Read by the actor Derek Jacobi. In “Georgy Porgy”, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a young curate has very, very good reasons to be afraid of his parishioners.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of "Katina", a short, gripping story of life in wartime from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale, read by the actor Cillian Murphy. In "Katina", Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells of a young Greek girl fascinated by the British planes and airbase that have come to her village. Katina is taken from the short story collection Over to You, which includes nine other dramatic and terrifying tales of life as a wartime fighter pilot.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of “Bitch”, a short, sharp, saucy story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale. Read by the actors Derek Jacobi and Richard E. Grant. In “Bitch”, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a funny, fruity story about one of his favourite characters, adventurer and seducer Oswald Hendryks Cornelius.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of 'William and Mary', a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail. Read by Juliet Stevenson and Adrian Scarborough. In William and Mary, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a wronged woman takes revenge on her dead husband.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Skin, a short, sharp, frightening story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale. Read by the actress Tamsin Greig. In Skin, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a very unusual painting proves to be more valuable than anyone, especially its owner, could ever have predicted.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Madame Rosette, a short, gripping story of life in wartime from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale. Read by the actor Julian Rhind-Tutt. In Madame Rosette, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells of three fighter pilots who go in search of female company and get more than they bargained for - a lot more. Madame Rosette is taken from the short story collection Over to You.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of “Mr Hoddy,” a short, sharp, amusing story from Roald Dahl, the master of the macabre tale. Read by the actress Jessica Hynes. In “Mr Hoddy,” Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a comic story of human folly. Here, a man trying to convince the father of his beloved of his good prospects unwisely brings up his new career . . .Mr Hoddy is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You, which includes seventeen other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who serves a dish that baffles the police; a curious machine that reveals the horrifying truth about plants; the man waiting to be bitten by the venomous snake asleep on his stomach; and others.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of “Galloping Foxley”, a short, sharp story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale. Read by the actor Richard Griffiths. In “Galloping Foxley”, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a commuter is disturbed by an encounter with a man he vividly remembers from school.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Pig, a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail. Read by the actress Stephanie Beacham. In Pig, Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a boy who grows into an accomplished cook goes in search of a final, elusive recipe.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of 'The Soldier', a short, sharp, frightening story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale, read by the actor Adrian Scarborough. In 'The Soldier', Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a chilling story about the dark side of life. Here, a man unable to feel pain slowly loses his bearings and mind.... 'The Soldier' is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You, which includes 17 other devious and shocking stories.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of "Nunc Dimittis", a short, sharp, thrilling story from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale, read by the legendary Derek Jacobi. In "Nunc Dimittis", Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a dark story about the sinister side of human nature. Here, a slighted old man takes an elaborate and chilling revenge on his tormentor.... "Nunc Dimittis" is taken from the short story collection Someone Like You.

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of "The Visitor", an amusing and chilling story from Roald Dahl, the master of the twist in the tale, read by actors Derek Jacobi and Richard E. Grant. In 'The Visitor', Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells a funny, fruity story about one of his favourite characters, adventurer and seducer Oswald Hendryks Cornelius. Here, Uncle Oswald gets more than he bargained for in Arabia.... 'The Visitor' is taken from the short story collection Switch Bitch.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of 'Yesterday was Beautiful', a short, gripping story of life in wartime from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale. Read by the actress Juliet Stevenson. In 'Yesterday Was Beautiful', Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells of a bailed out pilot in Greece looking for assistance from the natives.

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of 'They Shall Not Grow Old', a short, gripping story of life in wartime from Roald Dahl, the master of the shocking tale. Read by the actor Cillian Murphy. In 'They Shall Not Grow Old', Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells of a pilot who goes missing for two days and the strange tale he eventually reveals on his return.

In "Beware of the Dog", Roald Dahl, one of the world’s favourite authors, tells of an injured pilot recovering in hospital who makes a disturbing discovery. "Beware of the Dog" is taken from the short story collection Over to You, which includes nine other dramatic and terrifying tales of life as a wartime fighter pilot, and is drawn from Dahl’s own experiences during the Second World War.