'What is most peculiar about the whole Dahl saga is the logic behind the edits. It was, essentially, “He was a horrible bigot, so let’s edit his words to make him seem like a nice, kumbaya-kind-of-fellow.”'
But how often is this done? With the best of intentions - no doubt.
I recall my shock when I learned that Haman's gallows for Mordecai - was really a pole for him to be impaled on. Let's forget how cruel people can be - gloss over the reality.
Puffin wasn't prepared to lose a big chunk of book sales to overseas publishers that laughed at them. Profits trump principles, such as they are.
I'll believe it when I see it, but if they release an unexpurgated set of Dahl's books I'll buy one for each of my grandchildren. PC might tactically retreat on occasion but they never quit.
For the record, Bob, my father was one the primary forces behind the country club finally admitting Jews, having repeatedly presented Herman Farber for membership and spoken on behalf of his many friends and colleagues for years, just as he did in advocating for and recruiting African American doctors to our fair town. It seems a no-brainer in retrospect but it is truly amazing how easy it is for otherwise reasonable people to remain ignorant and fail to challenge conventional practices. Thanks again for your observations and edification.
This is the key to the whole affair:
'What is most peculiar about the whole Dahl saga is the logic behind the edits. It was, essentially, “He was a horrible bigot, so let’s edit his words to make him seem like a nice, kumbaya-kind-of-fellow.”'
But how often is this done? With the best of intentions - no doubt.
I recall my shock when I learned that Haman's gallows for Mordecai - was really a pole for him to be impaled on. Let's forget how cruel people can be - gloss over the reality.
Thew New Coke analogy is perfect.
I've shared this on FB and I'm subscribing. Cross-post too. This is some of the clearest thinking about anti-Semitic writers of the past that I know.
Puffin wasn't prepared to lose a big chunk of book sales to overseas publishers that laughed at them. Profits trump principles, such as they are.
I'll believe it when I see it, but if they release an unexpurgated set of Dahl's books I'll buy one for each of my grandchildren. PC might tactically retreat on occasion but they never quit.
And great article, as always.
For the record, Bob, my father was one the primary forces behind the country club finally admitting Jews, having repeatedly presented Herman Farber for membership and spoken on behalf of his many friends and colleagues for years, just as he did in advocating for and recruiting African American doctors to our fair town. It seems a no-brainer in retrospect but it is truly amazing how easy it is for otherwise reasonable people to remain ignorant and fail to challenge conventional practices. Thanks again for your observations and edification.