The dark and imaginative world of Roald Dahl
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ publisher edits out the word “fat” for “inclusion and accessibility”
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CELEBRITY Authors
A revered writer, the late Roald Dahl is still one of the most-loved children's authors today. He was known for works such as 'The Witches,', 'The BFG,' and 'Matilda,' and for his peculiar but wild imagination. He's not without his faults, however, and became notorious for his anti-Semitic remarks.
Dahl is also facing the red pencil for his language in those classic works. Editors at Penguin’s children’s imprint Puffin have edited the phrase “enormously fat," which appears in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'Fantastic Mr. Fox,' to just “enormous.” A report by UK's The Telegraph says "language related to weight, mental health, violence, gender and race has been cut and rewritten," including the word "fat" as well as making changes like calling the Oompa Loompas "small people" instead of "small men."
The edits were made with the help of Inclusive Minds, a collective that specializes in “inclusion and accessibility in children’s literature,” according to a spokesperson from the Roald Dahl Story Company, as per Variety. "We want to ensure that Roald Dahl’s wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today. When publishing new print runs of books written years ago, it’s not unusual to review the language used alongside updating other details including a book’s cover and page layout. Our guiding principle throughout has been to maintain the storylines, characters, and the irreverence and sharp-edged spirit of the original text. Any changes made have been small and carefully considered," they said. While some may rush to cry censorship, it's best to learn more about the controversial author first.
So, who was the famed writer, and where did he get the inspiration for his incredible books? Find out more in the following gallery.
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