The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar & Six More
Seven stories of fantasy and fun by the fantastic Roald Dahl:
The Boy Who Talked With Animals – in which a stranded sea turtle and a small boy have more in common than meets the eye.
The Hitchhiker – proves that in a pinch a professional pickpocket can be the perfect pal.
The Mildenhall Treasure – a true tale of fortune found and an opportunity lost.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar – in which a modern-day Robin Hood brings joy to the hearts of orphans – and fear to the souls of casino owners around the world.
Roald Dahl is a brilliant writer. His delightful characters have a sense of the world and perhaps, realistic and sometimes dark, undertones. I loved reading him as a child, and I still love reading all of his works, including his more “adult” themed short stories and novels. I read Henry Sugar as a middle schooler and was fascinated by “The Mildenhall Treasure.” The story of Henry Sugar, a playboy who becomes obsessed with using his acquired mental skills to create wealth and give to the poor is one of the greatest short stories I’ve ever read. This is definitely a Dahl collection that will grow with any reader who delights in fantastical stories! Even as an adult, my appreciation for Dahl’s use of language and plot is reinforced each time I read his work.
By the way, here is a link to the historical analysis of the treasure: http://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/the-mildenhall-treasure-a-secret-history.htm