Fun and memorable, whilst standing as one of Dahl’s best releases nearly fifty years on. Danny, the Champion of the World is not only a mouthful to say, but a fun novel that all ages can enjoy.
Set in the 1970s, the story follows Danny and his father as the two live in a caravan and repair cars. Because of this, their bond is tight and there is a co-dependency between the duo given the loss of Danny’s mother when he was an infant. Naturally, Danny learns about his father’s (and grandfather’s) fondness for poaching pheasants, and becomes intrigued about it.
The father ends up disappearing in the midst of the night, heading off to poach in the woods owned by Victor Hazell, a wealthy local that lives in a nearby mansion. Danny waits for his father’s return, but to no avail, forcing the nine-year-old boy to venture into Hazell’s woods to investigate his father’s disappearance.
That’s about all I can say without totally blowing open the plot for you. Do keep in mind that it is a children’s novel first and foremost, so the plot is rather linear and therefore easy to spoil. I believe that Dahl’s main message with this work was to emphasise the importance of family and closeness, alongside striving to find your own sense of bravery at a young age, much like Danny. The book does end with a fourth wall break to further convey this message.
The writing is simple, but also witty and brimming with Dahl’s personality. I fondly recall reading this novel way back in primary school, and I believe it was one of the first works that really spurred on my fondness for reading at such a tender age. It is a light-hearted and quirky novel, as expected from Dahl. The story, in its simplest form, is about a boy looking up to his father, and finding company in his sole family member and mentor.
Don’t snub it just because it’s aimed at children! Danny, the Champion of the World is a perfectly suited for a casual read or a burst of nostalgia.
Leave a Reply