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Original poster

+++++ WARNING - ROALD DAHL, MY UNCLE OSWALD ++++++

161 replies

Somanybabyseagulls · 19/10/2006 09:53

11 year old dd came home from school yesterday with this book. She didn't read the back or flick through inside but hadn't seen this in our local library before.

This book was apparently his foray into adult writing. References to 'huge and long-lasting erections' are made in the first few pages, you can guess the rest. Anyway, I have obviously complained to the school and I am destroying the book. The school obviously apologied and like many of us assumed that any Roald Dahl book would be suitable for any school library.

Please be aware that this book was supplied by a reputable school book supplier (the school would not give me their name) so I urge you all to contact your school library to ensure no one elses child has access to this book.

OP posts:
NOMurDErousPLUME · 19/10/2006 09:56

Is destroying the book not a bit strong ?

NOMurDErousPLUME · 19/10/2006 09:57

Obv I agree that this should not be in a school library though

PretendFriend · 19/10/2006 09:57

He wrote loads of stuff for adults (eg book of short stories called Switch Bitch) - I am seriously shocked that a school librarian was unaware of that

Socci · 19/10/2006 09:57

Message withdrawn

TinyGang · 19/10/2006 09:58

Good lord I bet that was a surprise find in the book bag!

Thanks for the warning. Eeew.. that's kinda put me off him a bit now.

Original poster
Somanybabyseagulls · 19/10/2006 09:58

School offered to destroy it for me but I don't want dd having to take it back to school, she is mortified!

OP posts:
TheUnholyTrinity · 19/10/2006 09:58

destroying a book that isn't yours is not good either and everyone makes mistakes.

PretendFriend · 19/10/2006 09:58

Oh hang on, was this a secondary school library?

TheUnholyTrinity · 19/10/2006 09:59

why should it be destroyed at all that is absolutely awful

Original poster
Somanybabyseagulls · 19/10/2006 09:59

Missing the point here a bit, this book could be in your children's school library, how many of your children love Roald Dahl, how many would love to see a Roald Dahl they have never seen in the library before!

OP posts:
madmarchscare · 19/10/2006 09:59

He did Tales of the Unexpected as well didnt he?

Original poster
Somanybabyseagulls · 19/10/2006 09:59

Yes PF, secondary school.

OP posts:
TinyGang · 19/10/2006 10:00

No I wouldn't destroy it either. It's still a book after all.

lemonAIIEEE · 19/10/2006 10:00

Agree with PretendFriend Roald Dahl wrote loads of adult stuff and I'm surprised the school didn't know that. I'm not sure quite why you are destroying the book clearly it shouldn't be in a school library, but the world is full of books that shouldn't be in school libraries and somehow civilisation manages to rub along without destroying them all.

TheUnholyTrinity · 19/10/2006 10:01

I'm not missing the point at all, You are right it is asdurd that a school librarian didn't realise that the book was not suitable. She should be further trained and /or reprimanded. Thankyou for telling us so now we can check our school libraries and be aware but still the book does not need to be destroyed

Original poster
Somanybabyseagulls · 19/10/2006 10:01

HELLOOOOO, it's not about destroying the book, this is about the fact that your children could get this book from school!

OP posts:
acnebrideofFrankenstein · 19/10/2006 10:01

Um, have to be honest and say that 11 I was copying out large chunks of my cousin's Mayfair and Fiesta to take to school to read to my primary school mates. I'd agree that I wouldn't expect to find this in a school library but I would just send it back to them with a letter tbh.

lemonAIIEEE · 19/10/2006 10:02

Yes, you've warned us, thank you. But you've also stated that you are planning to destroy this book, and that disturbs many of us (in fact, frankly it disturbs me more than the school making a genuine if remarkably stupid error).

TheUnholyTrinity · 19/10/2006 10:02

to be honest I think that a secoundary school pupil will be lortified, as your daughter was, but it isn't going to warp or disturb her. she will get over it, it's probably just embarrassment anyway. she could also go to the local library and pick up such stuff

misdee · 19/10/2006 10:03

i got the book forever out of the school liberary. i was a bit older than 11.

i owuldnt destroy th3 book, but take it in myself to hand back to the school.

Original poster
Somanybabyseagulls · 19/10/2006 10:03

OK, OK, I will send the book back to school via post and let them deal with it BUT YOU HAVE TO CHECK WITH YOUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOL LIBRARY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

OP posts:
Socci · 19/10/2006 10:03

Message withdrawn

PretendFriend · 19/10/2006 10:04

Then it's probably not the only book with naughty bits in the library, just the only one by an author so popular with children too. Ask the school to make sure that the adult Dahl books are clearly labelled as that but destroying it is OTT and unnecessary.

"his foray into adult writing" is way off the mark! Anybody here remember "Tales of the Unexpected"? Those are his stories too.

daisy1999 · 19/10/2006 10:04

I get what you're saying smbseagulls.
suggest you just ignore the oddballs who are want to subscribe to "save the books".

TheUnholyTrinity · 19/10/2006 10:04

I agree lemon, we have heard your point but I am more concerned that a book may be destroyed to be honest, no harm has come to your daughter. My dd1 is 6 and if she read it she would ask me lots of questions that would be a little embaressing to answer but then book would be sent back with letter and all finished