But might it be right? Authors accuse Dahl’s publishers of butchering his classic works. But others think books have to move with the times, or risk being put back on the shelf.
Anger over 'absurd censorship' of Roald Dahl
But might it be right? Authors accuse Dahl's publishers of butchering his classic works. But others think books have to move with the times, or risk being put back on the shelf.
If you go down to a book shop today and buy a Roald DahlA 20th Century British novelist and children's writer. His books have sold more than 250 million copies. book, you will find a small notice in the front. It says: "The wonderful words of Roald Dahl can transport you to different worlds and introduce you to the most marvellous characters. This book was written many years ago, and so we regularly review the language to ensure that it can continue to be enjoyed by all today."
This is the only indication that you are reading a very different book from the original. The Daily Telegraph has revealed that hundreds of changes have been made to Dahl's works by their publisher, Puffin Books.1
The precocious Matilda once read Rudyard KiplingAn English novelist who wrote The Jungle Book. and Joseph ConradA Polish-British novelist (1857 - 1924), known for Heart of Darkness., two famous imperialistImperialism is the practice of growing a country's power through colonisation or force. authors. Now she prefers Jane AustenAn English novelist most famous for writing Pride and Prejudice. and John SteinbeckAn American writer known for Of Mice and Men.. Women characters who were supermarket cashiers and secretaries are now top scientists and businesspeople.
All references to weight have been stripped out. So too have the words "black" and "white" - even when they do not relate to skin colour.
In fact, this is not the first time Dahl's work has been edited. In the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, published in 1964, the Oompa LoompasThe workers at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, in the novel by Roald Dahl. were described as Black Africans.
Critics said an all-Black workforce paid solely in cacao beansThe raw, unroasted bean from the cacao tree. They are used to make chocolate. had overtones of slavery.2 Dahl listened and rewrote the characters to have White skin in the 1973 edition of the book.
But critics say this is something different. It is one thing, they claim, for an author to edit their own text, but quite another for others to rewrite it almost a quarter of a century after their deaths.
They think the editors have committed the worst literary crime of all: they have made the books bland. Everything that might shock and capture the attention of a reader has been stripped out in favour of a corporate monotone. Even British leader Rishi Sunak has an opinion. "When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the prime minister agrees with the BFG that we shouldn't gobblefunkA word invented by Roald Dahl, meaning "playing with language". around with words," declared his spokesperson yesterday.
But others say it is right for literature to be inclusive. They point out that it is hard for girls, children from ethnic minorities, or those who are physically different to enjoy books that make fun of people like them.
Moreover, psychologists tell us young children's minds soak up influences like sponges. Reading books that mock certain groups could lead them to do the same themselves. So editing Dahl's works, some say, could save children from bullying.
Still others think this is all missing the point. They say Puffin is not making these edits because it is worried about causing offence; it only cares about its bottom lineThe total amount of money a company has made or lost. .
In this day and age, parents are less likely to buy their children books that they think might teach them the wrong values. And children themselves are less interested in books that do not reflect their own understanding of the world.
The classic texts make little sense to children living in a time very different from Dahl's own, in which schools are diverse and girls can expect to have full and flourishing careers.
If Puffin wants parents to keep buying the books for their children, in other words, they have to appeal to their target audience.
<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>But might it be right?</strong></h5>
Yes: Girls, children from ethnic minority backgrounds, and children who are overweight should not be the victims of literary purismInsisting on observing original language, traditions or rules. . If they mean children grow up with better values, these rewrites are a good thing.
No: Children are smarter than we are giving them credit for. They know right from wrong. They deserve the chance to read the original books.
Or... This is not a question of right or wrong; it is a question of profit. Puffin decided the old texts would not appeal to modern audiences. If it turns out to be wrong, the market will punish it.
Roald Dahl - A 20th Century British novelist and children's writer. His books have sold more than 250 million copies.
Rudyard Kipling - An English novelist who wrote The Jungle Book.
Joseph Conrad - A Polish-British novelist (1857 - 1924), known for Heart of Darkness.
Imperialist - Imperialism is the practice of growing a country's power through colonisation or force.
Jane Austen - An English novelist most famous for writing Pride and Prejudice.
John Steinbeck - An American writer known for Of Mice and Men.
Oompa Loompas - The workers at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, in the novel by Roald Dahl.
Cacao beans - The raw, unroasted bean from the cacao tree. They are used to make chocolate.
Gobblefunk - A word invented by Roald Dahl, meaning "playing with language".
Bottom line - The total amount of money a company has made or lost.
Purism - Insisting on observing original language, traditions or rules.
Anger over ‘absurd censorship’ of Roald Dahl

Glossary
Roald Dahl - A 20th Century British novelist and children's writer. His books have sold more than 250 million copies.
Rudyard Kipling - An English novelist who wrote The Jungle Book.
Joseph Conrad - A Polish-British novelist (1857 - 1924), known for Heart of Darkness.
Imperialist - Imperialism is the practice of growing a country's power through colonisation or force.
Jane Austen - An English novelist most famous for writing Pride and Prejudice.
John Steinbeck - An American writer known for Of Mice and Men.
Oompa Loompas - The workers at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, in the novel by Roald Dahl.
Cacao beans - The raw, unroasted bean from the cacao tree. They are used to make chocolate.
Gobblefunk - A word invented by Roald Dahl, meaning "playing with language".
Bottom line - The total amount of money a company has made or lost.
Purism - Insisting on observing original language, traditions or rules.