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Going Solo
292 pages
A wry, gripping memoir that filters the harrowing realities of war and the African bush through the lens of a master storyteller's eccentric, unsentimental eye.
What it feels like
Reading this memoir feels like sitting across from a master raconteur at a dimly lit pub, listening as he casually spins tales of unimaginable danger. The pace is brisk and conversational, carrying you effortlessly from the sun-baked, eccentric landscapes of colonial East Africa into the freezing, terrifying cockpits of World War II fighter planes. Despite the constant presence of death—from deadly green mambas to enemy fire—the narrative never wallows in despair. Instead, it maintains a wry, matter-of-fact tone, filtering the absurdity and tragedy of war through a distinctly unsentimental, almost surreal lens. It is a thrilling, nostalgic, and deeply human experience, perfect for readers who love history delivered with sharp wit, vivid sensory details, and an unshakeable stiff upper lip.
- Mood
- sun-baked
- perilous
- nostalgic
- surreal
- Tone
- wry
- matter-of-fact
- conversational
- unsentimental
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the absurdity of war · coming of age through danger · fragility of life · camaraderie in crisis
- The writing
- Crisp, unadorned, and highly conversational, the sentences carry a signature blend of the macabre and the marvelous without ever tipping into melodrama.
- The arc
- The journey shifts from wide-eyed, eccentric colonial adventure to the stark, sobering realities of aerial combat, culminating in a poignant homecoming.
- Who it's for
- Readers who appreciate vivid, unsentimental memoirs that balance harrowing historical realities with a sharp, eccentric wit.
Content notes
- war violence
- plane crashes
- animal attacks
- period-typical colonial attitudes
About the book
The fascinating story of Roald Dahl's life continues in Going Solo, a marvelous evocation of the author's wartime exploits. As a pilot in World War II, Roald Dahl had some wonderfully exciting -- and frighteningly near-death -- experiences including encounters with the enemy, battles with deadly snakes, and incredible dogfights. Told with the same irresistible appeal that has made Dahl one of the world's best-loved writers, Going Solo brings you directly into the action and into the mind of this brilliant man.
Description from Open Library.
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