3 months ago
Children request to publication astir 'wretched' things and not beryllium protected from 'offensive' words, best-selling writer Daniel Handler has said.
The Lemony Snicket writer has deed retired astatine publishers rewriting Roald Dahl's books to make them much 'inclusive' by removing words specified arsenic 'fat'.
The 54-year-old said he understands nan 'urge' to region violative connection but condemned nan 'tinkering' of nan BFG and Witches author's work.
The A Series of Unfortunate Events writer said Dahl's activity was 'offensive' - and it should beryllium kept this way.
Dahl, who sold 300 cardinal copies of his work, wrote children's classics including James and nan Giant Peach, Charlie and nan Chocolate Factory and The Twits.
Children request to publication astir 'wretched' things and not beryllium protected from 'offensive' words, best-selling writer Daniel Handler (pictured) has said
The Lemony Snicket writer has deed retired astatine publishers rewriting Roald Dahl's books to make them much 'inclusive' by removing words specified arsenic 'fat'. Pictured: Jim Carrey arsenic Count Olaf successful nan 2004 movie of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Anjelica Huston (left) arsenic Miss Eva Ernst, nan Grand High Witch, successful a segment from nan 1990 movie adapted from Roald Dahl's children's classical The Witches (right)
In February past twelvemonth it was revealed that Puffin Books had re-edited immoderate of nan texts to region connection that today's readers mightiness deem violative erstwhile it comes to race, gender, weight, and intelligence health.
It was forced to U-turn aft announcing much 50 changes past twelvemonth to Roald Dahl's 1983 children's caller The Witches
These changes included characters who are nary longer described arsenic 'fat' and references to 'mothers' and 'fathers' that person been updated to 'parents' aliases 'family'.
When asked connected nan Private Passions podcast whether he supported nan rewriting of Dahl's work, Handler said: 'Well, I was against it. I mean, I understand that urge.
Dahl (pictured), who sold 300 cardinal copies of his work, wrote children's classics including James and nan Giant Peach, Charlie and nan Chocolate Factory and The Twits
'You know, if you're pinch a kid and there's a unusual sound successful nan mediate of nan night, what you want to opportunity is that is nothing.
'If they spot thing from a news report, I understand that you want to beryllium protectionist astir it.'
He continued: 'You conscionable can't, and you surely can't do it by tinkering pinch Roald Dahl until his words are not offensive.
'His words are offensive. I mean, he was an violative personification successful immoderate ways, and his stories are afloat of really, really wretched things.
'That's a awesome measurement to study astir wretched things.'
How editors tried to alteration Roald Dahl's stories
THE WITCHES
Original - 'Don't beryllium foolish,' my grandma said. 'You can't spell information pulling nan hairsbreadth of each woman you meet, moreover if she is wearing gloves. Just you effort it and spot what happens.'
2023 - 'Don't beryllium foolish,' my grandma said. 'Besides, location are plentifulness of different reasons why women mightiness deterioration wigs and location is surely thing incorrect pinch that.'
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
2001 - Mrs Salt was a awesome fat animal pinch short legs, and she was blowing for illustration a rhinoceros
2022 - Mrs Salt was truthful retired of breath, she was blowing for illustration a rhinoceros
THE TWITS
2001 - Mrs Twit whitethorn person been disfigured and she whitethorn person been beastly, but she was not stupid
2022 - Mrs Twit whitethorn person been beastly, but she was not stupid.
MATILDA
2001 - Get your mother aliases father
2022 - Get your family
THE BFG
2001 - 'BFG,' she said, 'would you please show these alternatively dim-witted characters precisely what to do.'
2022 - 'BFG,' she said, 'would you please show them precisely what to do'.
THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE
2001 - We eat small boys and girls
2022 - We eat small children
ESIO TROT
2001 - 'I request you to show maine Mr Hoppy! I'll beryllium your enslaved for life.'
2022 - 'I request you to show maine Mr Hoppy! You'll beryllium my leader for life.'
FANTASTIC MR FOX
2001 - Bunce, nan small pot-bellied dwarf, looked up astatine Bean…
2022 - Bunce looked up astatine Bean…
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH
2001 - They were for illustration a mates of hunters who had conscionable changeable an elephant
2022 - They were for illustration a mates of hunters who had conscionable changeable their prey
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