Inspiring Young Readers
Roald Dahl and the Magic of the World by Mike Revell
(This article first appeared in the Letterpress Project publication Roald Dahl: The man Who Believed In Magic )
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
Roald Dahl
When I was a kid, I really didn’t like reading – and even being read to seemed like a waste of time. It felt too much like school work to me, and I’d rather be playing computer games or watching TV or kicking a ball around in the park. But Roald Dahl stories were different. When my teacher read a Roald Dahl book, I didn’t daydream or wish I was elsewhere: I was captivated by the story.
I think the reason why is simple. The books were fun. Darkly fun, riotously fun, usually deliciously fun, with outrageous sweets and explosive potions. But most of all, they were magical. Whether it was The BFG, with giants like the Fleshlumpeater and the Bloodbottler wandering around, or James and the Giant Peach, with the evil aunts and the adventurous insects, Roald Dahl managed to capture magic in a way that few other authors did.
Magic played a large role in his stories because he knew how to look for magic in the world. It lurks everywhere, if you look for it. Roald Dahl was a big believer in looking at the world, really looking, and that’s something that’s always stuck with me. When I realised that I wanted to be a writer myself, I remembered his words. I remembered that those who don’t believe in magic will never find it, and knew that if I wanted to come up with stories of my own that were as exciting as his, I would have to find the magic that’s hidden all around us.
When I was writing Stonebird, my first book, I was working in Cambridge. As I walked around the city, I remembered Roald Dahl’s words, and when I looked at the old buildings so full of history, I noticed gargoyles looking down on the streets and the shops. Peering up at them, you could almost feel the magic. It got me wondering … what if gargoyles could come alive? If gargoyles are on old buildings to protect them from evil spirits, what else could they protect? Who else could they protect? Looking for magic gives you these questions, and questions are where stories come from.
Magic was at the heart of so many of Roald Dahl’ stories, and it created such a sense of wonder that it was impossible not to like them. That’s why his books were loved by children and adults alike, and why they’re still enjoyed by so many people today. So watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, and keep believing in magic. I know I will!
Mike Revell
January 2018 (originally November 2016)