It was good to see an AP article about celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of writer Roald Dahl, whose novel Matilda is one of the great books about the joy of reading (Monitor Entertainment, May 17).
However, by focusing exclusively on works ostensibly for children, the piece shortchanged Dahl’s accomplishments.
I know him also as the author of macabre little stories like “A Dip in the Pool,” “Man from the South,” and “Lamb to the Slaughter.” I first encountered these as television adaptations on Alfred Hitchcock’s show.
“Man from the South” was for me the most memorable, with a rising young actor named Steve McQueen betting that his lighter will work on 10 consecutive flicks. The stakes: Peter Lorre’s convertible against McQueen’s pinkie. For an expanded view of Dahl, check out the collections Someone Like You and Kiss Kiss.
Robert S. Pingree
Concord