Roald Dahl

Recent editions of numerous Dahl books changed hundreds of passages concerning weight, gender, mental health, race and other descriptions considered offensive. Public disclosure in 2023 triggered an international debate about censorship and textual integrity.

State of the evidence

Well documented

Following criticism of the revisions, Penguin Random House announced a “classic” collection preserving the original texts, published alongside the revised editions.

State of the evidence

Documented

The Dahl family and Roald Dahl Story Company apologised for the writer's antisemitic statements and the lasting harm they caused.

State of the evidence

Documented

A Royal Mint subcommittee rejected the idea of a coin marking Dahl's centenary, citing his association with antisemitism and concluding that he lacked the reputation required for such a commemoration.

State of the evidence

Documented

A few months before his death, Dahl told The Independent that he was anti-Israel and had “become antisemitic”, also expressing stereotypes about Jewish influence in the media and publishing.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Personally implicated

In Literary Review, Dahl published an extremely harsh criticism of Israel during the Lebanon war and made generalisations about Jews and the influence of Jewish financial institutions in the United States. The article sparked major controversy over antisemitism.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

In a 1983 interview, Dahl claimed that a feature of the “Jewish character” provoked hostility and added that Hitler would not have singled out Jews “without reason”. These remarks have sustained accusations of antisemitism for decades.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following objections raised particularly by the NAACP surrounding the film adaptation, Dahl agreed to change the Oompa-Loompas: African references were removed and their appearance altered in the revised 1973 edition.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In the first edition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Oompa-Loompas were depicted as African pygmies brought to Willy Wonka's factory. This portrayal subsequently became a major focus of criticism concerning racism and parallels with slavery.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated