Roald Dahl - Going Solo 5/5
First published in 1986, Going Solo is an autobiographical novel detailing the experiences of beloved children’s author Roald Dahl as a WWII pilot. Sequel to Dahl’s previous autobiography, Boy, which narrates Dahl’s childhood, Going Solo is a humorous recounting of the author’s voyage to Africa towards his new job at Shell Oil, and later his recruitment and adventures as a member of the Royal Air Force in war with the Nazis. Roald Dahl illustrates the tribulations of war-torn Africa in a striking manner yet allows for his work to be understood and enjoyed by his child readers. Dahl narrates his journey through Dar es Salaam, Greece, and Egypt, his escapades with the Tiger Moth, and his crash landing in the Western Desert as the highlights of WWII, however, the smaller incidents that culminate in the novel are among the most memorable. Although Going Solo was written as a children’s book, people of all ages can take valuable lessons and high entertainment from Dahl’s work, and its relationship-driven narrative and descriptions of war are reminiscent of Hemingway’s novels. Going Solo was my favorite book in childhood, and I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy this novel again, as I have kept my collection of Roald Dahl stories stored for future reminiscing. I love this book and give it 5 stars and recommend anyone with children to encourage an early start to literature through this story.
“A life is made up of a great number of small incidents and a small number of great ones.”