Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life

“Roald Dahl is one of the few writers I know whose work can accurately be described as addictive.” — Irish Times

The sweet scents of rural life infuse this beautifully crafted collection of Roald Dahl’s country stories, but there is always something unexpected lurking in the undergrowth. Whether it is taking a troublesome cow to be mated with a prime bull; dealing with a rat-infested hayrick; learning the ways and means of maggot farming; or describing the fine art of poaching pheasants using nothing but raisins and sleeping pills, Roald Dahl brings his stories of everyday country folk and their strange passions wonderfully to life. Lacing each tale with dollops of humor and adding a sprinkling of the sinister, Dahl ensures that this short story collection celebrates the sweet mysteries of life.

“All the stories sparkle with vibrant characters, humorous dialogue, and sly rustic lore and cunning.” — Sunday Express

“A sophisticated account of village life. The rural characters are molded by Dahl’s dark, inquisitive imagination. Compelling and very funny.” — Time Out