The Writing Pages

This is a children's novel by the famous writer, Roald Dahl.

This is a bit different from the usual books by Dahl which are mostly based on fascinating imaginations about witches, giants and other fantasy creatures. This book is a great read not only for the young souls but equally good for the older ones too. It's the story about a young boy Danny and his dad. Danny has formed a great bond with his father who has cared lovingly and perceptively all his life, after his mother died when he was only four months old.

They live a content life in the gypsy caravan behind the filling station where his father works. They enjoy themselves together, telling tales to one another, building hot air balloons and working on cars together. But life goes haywire, at the age of nine, for little Danny.

He discovers one of the biggest secrets of his father's life. He learns that his father is a pheasant poacher! That night when he woke up, he discovered that he was all alone at home. Danny trusted his father so much; that he was hiding something from him never even crossed his mind! Thus, he was shocked when he learnt about his father's activities.

He then helps his father in poaching pheasants from the gardens of wicked Victor Hazell, his arch rival and a wealthy land owner. The story then revolves around how Danny and his dad unfurl their plans. They have to kill many pheasants in two days in order to foil the great hunting event to be held at Hazell’s gardens. Then they become the masterminds behind a wonderfully devised plot ever hatched. Can they pull it off?

An exhilarating read more because it is very realistic than the other novels by Dahl. The story portrays a wonderful family relationship, all about love and faith. Although, poaching still means stealing, Dahl implies that everyone in small towns is attached to it!

I enjoyed reading the book and it is one of my favorites by Dahl other than "Matilda". I enjoyed this tale much more because of the harsh reality it provided and the excellent storytelling which takes the reader to another world, altogether!