Going Solo

Another writer once told me that one of the most important elements to be found in a memoir is a "likeable" narrator. Roald Dahl is perhaps one of the MOST likeable of narrators. Modest to a fault and blessed with a very sly and subtle sense of humor, the story Dahl tells in GOING SOLO, his sequel to BOY, is perhaps one of the most readable memoirs of modern times. His story of the quick and almost informal training he received at a flying school in Africa shortly after Great Britain entered WWII, is hair-raising and nearly impossible to believe, except you do believe, because you trust this man. At six foot six inches tall, Dahl was physically quite unsuited to be a fighter pilot, noting that when seated in the various planes he flew, his knees were nearly under his chin and he had to hunch over to fit beneath the plane's canopy. But fly he did, even after surviving one horrific crash in the desert early on in his career as an RAF pilot. He sustained a very bad concussion (which was to come back to haunt him and finally "invalid" him out of service nearly two years later) and had his face bashed in. As he explained to his mother in a letter: "My nose was bashed in ... and the ear nose and throat man pulled my nose out of the back of my head and shaped it and now it looks just as before except that it's a little bent about ..." Dahl went on to fly many combat missions in North Africa and Greece, usually against vastly superior odds, but somehow he managed to survive until the middle of 1941, when the migraine headaches caused by the aforementioned crash made him unfit for further flying. Dahl's nearly laconic and completely unself-conscious manner of writing about the things he did - absolutely heroic things - made me think of Sam Hynes's WWII memoir of his missions in the Pacific theater. Both writers downplay the importance of their roles. They never speak of heroics or derring-do, only about the importance of their comrades, doing the jobs they were trained to do and trying their best to simply stay alive. This was an enormously satisfying, moving and often hilarious tale. After reading these two slim volumes of memoirs by Dahl, I do wish he had written another. I have ordered his slim collection of stories about WWII already. What a wonderful writer - and gentleman - Roald Dahl was. - Tim Bazzett, author of SOLDIER BOY and LOVE, WAR & POLIO

Starting with a glimpse into the colonial life that still existed in Africa right up to WW2, this book clearly shows the almost haphazard manner in which Britain's colonies prepared for and fought Hitler's war. Always written with Dahl's characteristic wit and charm, his unflinching examination of his own naivete and youth will keep you amused from start to finish.

This is such a well written book that took me on unimaginable adventures. From Dar es Salaam to Greece to Palestine. This author is so honest, and he tells his story so clearly and vividly that we can envision it. I found this book so refreshing and enlightening. I respect how the author tells his story from his own observations without sugar coating or showing bias. This book was fun, insightful and a world class. I’ve gifted copies to friends and family!

It came on time and was an interesting book to read.

I give it 5 stars for the beautiful writing. I was transported into the war and felt the excitement and trepidation a young person embarking on such a journey. The vividness of the scenery that Roald Dahl describes during his time in Africa, southern Europe and middle East captures the emotions of a young adventurer who is earnestly exploring his new environment and absorbing the experiences.Absolutely love the book.

Honestly, I love everything by RD but I bought this book because I saw a video of a nun talking about it. It’s based on his actual real-life travels, and in it, it tells of a conversation he had with a Jewish man in which it is clear the land belongs to Palestinians 💙 I’ll find the actual page & paragraph & edit this to include it

Fine book; excellent writing. This is the personal tale of a master storyteller with experiences that are ordinary, yet extraordinary. As a young man working in Africa, Dahl signs up for the air corps and finds himself flying planes he was never taught to fly in battles that were never planned to be. What is most exciting about this book is that real life is more dramatic than anything that a fiction writer could dream up. It is one of the top five books I have read this year, and would highly recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure. It is hard to portray what it's like to be up there in a Hurricane with enemy fighters after you, but Dahl does it with aplomb. I will wait a while and read this one again!

This is one of the most interesting and interestingly written books in recent memory. I devoured it,It was a delightful, personal description of Dahl's journey to East Africa, his work there in an outpost of the far flung British Empire -- a world that would never again be seen. He describes with engaging candor his role in how the British "muddled through" WWII -- just.The Brits would have one believe that all went "according" to plan -- that the issue was never in doubt -- but Dahl's charming account of how he learned to fly the Tiger Moth for the RAF and how he became an "instant" Hurricane fighter pilot in Greece were convincing evidence to the contrary.Easy reading!! Highly recommended!!Fritz Steiner