Halfway through this collection of short stories, I felt oddly unsatisfied. Accustomed to the magical worlds of Dahl's most famous works, I expected more, even if these stories were geared to an older audience. "The Boy Who Talked with Animals," "The Hitchhiker," and "The Swan" are well written but uninspiring, with Dahl leaning too heavily on supernatural endings to elevate otherwise humdrum storylines. Just as I was considering tossing the book, I came across t... (show more)

Halfway through this collection of short stories, I felt oddly unsatisfied. Accustomed to the magical worlds of Dahl's most famous works, I expected more, even if these stories were geared to an older audience. "The Boy Who Talked with Animals," "The Hitchhiker," and "The Swan" are well written but uninspiring, with Dahl leaning too heavily on supernatural endings to elevate otherwise humdrum storylines. Just as I was considering tossing the book, I came across the opening page, in which Dahl dedicates the book "to all young people...who are going through that long and difficult metamorphosis when they are no longer children and have not yet become adults." Suddenly it dawned on me Dahl's intent with this collection. Unlike his children's books, these tales are "based on a true story" and possess an air of realism, yet subtle, magical elements run throughout, providing hope that logic doesn't always prevail and that underdogs can overcome the longest odds. With this understanding, I read on with renewed vigor. "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" and "Lucky Break" (Dahl's amazing recollection about how he fell into writing) contain his trademark whimsy but remain firmly rooted in the real world. While I'd pick, say, James and the Giant Peach if forced to make a choice, everyone has to grow up at some point, and this collection makes the transition a little bit easier. (show less)

On the surface, Ethan Frome is a simple tale of someone trapped in a life that he has neither the courage nor the selfishness to escape. In fact Ethan himself is a simple man of few words or outward emotions. But thanks to Wharton's masterful descriptions of the thoughts that race through Ethan's mind, the novel carries surprising depth. As the reader you understand how Ethan falls in love with the ebullient Mattie and how he struggles mightily with his feelings and sense of duty. Wharton als... (show more)

On the surface, Ethan Frome is a simple tale of someone trapped in a life that he has neither the courage nor the selfishness to escape. In fact Ethan himself is a simple man of few words or outward emotions. But thanks to Wharton's masterful descriptions of the thoughts that race through Ethan's mind, the novel carries surprising depth. As the reader you understand how Ethan falls in love with the ebullient Mattie and how he struggles mightily with his feelings and sense of duty. Wharton also perfectly captures the beautiful yet unforgiving nature of New England winter, in which the frozen landscape serves as an inescapable reminder of the bleakness of Ethan's situation. The plot's structure, told in flashback form, dashes upfront any hope of a happy ending, adding an unbearable heaviness to each page. Like Ethan and Mattie's final sled ride down the steep hill, the story has fleeting moments of joy and hope but ultimately comes to a disastrous end. While not a piece of literature that lends itself to in-depth analysis, Ethan Frome is still an invigorating read that packs an emotional wallop. (show less)