[Jan Fisher]

It seems the plan to rework Roald Dahl’s books to make them more politically correct has stirred up a hornet nest.

This sort of thing first came to my attention when I started reading Enid Blyton to my daughter and discovered they had changed Dick and Fannie to Rick and Frannie. It’s more appealing to modern sensibilities, but way, way less funny.

A raft of changes has been suggested to fit Dahl’s works in with a more modern audience. It’s sparked outrage around the world.

I think Dahl would have hated it. I once watched a program where an American editor was reminiscing that he once suggested to Dahl that he tone down the language for a US edition – Dahl had mentioned farting – and in response he made it worse.

And isn’t that the main thing, what the author intended?

Should older books be rewritten for a modern audience?

[Star Trekker]

Never.
Would they change Jane Austin, Charles Dickens or Graham Greene?
Books for children are just that, for children.
Adults always read thing into books that really aren’t there.
Children do not worry about political correctness, racism or any other “woke” explanation. Only adults do.
Leave the books alone.

[Wicky]

My 6 yo granddaughter and I were discussing her Dad’s (occasional) beard and I asked her what Mr Twit had in his beard. She recounted the beard “ingredients” and laughed out loud. Both of us thank Mr Dahl.

[Couldabeen]

As parents we can be appalled at what our littleies find funny and send them into fits of giggles. Completely forgetting that we were once like that and liked what amount to being crude jokes about basic body functions.
And there are many who are completely naive at the double ententes that are littered through much of the story telling.
Overthinking these stories often brings inappropriate attention to what amounts to being fluff in the world of the children.
Authors wrote for a time and place in society and found a niche that was comfortable for their audience. If you’re not part of the audience that it was intended for, get out and leave it alone. Or write your own stories from scratch and see if that gains acceptance and appreciation among the target group.

[Author]

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