Title: The Landlady
Author: Roald Dahl
First published November 28, 1959
17 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.9
Overview
In The Landlady, Roald Dahl masterfully weaves an eerie tale that will send shivers down your spine. Follow along as a young man searches for a room to rent and stumbles upon a seemingly kind landlady.
But as time ticks on, he begins to uncover the sinister truth that lurks beneath her hospitable facade… This chilling short story is just one of many in the collection Kiss Kiss, where Dahl explores the twisted depths of human nature through tales of deceit, revenge, and unexpected consequences.
About the Author
Meet Roald Dahl, a British novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter of Norwegian descent. He burst onto the literary scene in the 1940s, penning works for both children and adults and quickly becoming one of the world’s top-selling authors.
Dahl’s first published work, “Shot Down Over Libya,” was inspired by a meeting with C.S. Forester. The story, which chronicled his wartime escapades, was bought by the Saturday Evening Post for $900 and launched his writing career.
The title was inspired by an inaccurate and sensationalized article about the crash that blinded him. The article claimed he had been shot down instead of merely landing due to low fuel.
Dahl’s first children’s book, “The Gremlins,” showcased mischievous little creatures that were part of RAF folklore. Commissioned by Walt Disney for a film that was never made, it was published in 1943.
Dahl went on to create some of the most beloved children’s stories of the 20th century, including “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda.”
He also had a thriving career as a writer of macabre adult short stories that often contained dark humor and a surprise ending. Many were originally written for American magazines such as The New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, and Playboy before being collected by Dahl into anthologies that gained worldwide acclaim.
Dahl wrote over 60 short stories, some of which were only published after his death. His stories also earned him three Edgar Awards – in 1954 for the collection “Someone Like You,” in 1959 for the story “The Landlady,” and in 1980 for an episode of “Tales of the Unexpected” based on “Skin.”
Editoral Review
Roald Dahls The Landlady is a chilling masterpiece that has stood the test of time since its initial publication in 1959. Dahl, renowned for his dark humor and twisted tales, delivers a haunting story of a young mans encounter with a seemingly harmless elderly woman in a quiet English town.
The Landlady is a short story that focuses on the themes of deception and manipulation, with a plot that is as suspenseful as it is eerie. The protagonist, Billy Weaver, finds himself stranded in Bath for the night and decides to stay at a local boarding house.
Upon arriving, he is greeted by the titular landlady, who seems friendly and welcoming. However, as the night progresses, Billy begins to uncover disturbing secrets about his host that lead to a chilling conclusion.
Dahls writing style is concise and straightforward, but his ability to build tension and create a sense of unease is unparalleled. The Landlady is a prime example of his skill in crafting a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The pacing of the story is perfect, with each twist and turn building upon the last until the shocking final reveal. The characters in The Landlady are well-developed, with Billys naivety and the landladys manipulative nature playing off of each other perfectly.
The setting is also evocative, with the boarding house shrouded in a quiet darkness that adds to the overall creepiness of the story. While The Landlady may be a work of fiction, it touches on larger societal issues such as the dangers of trusting strangers and the prevalence of deception in our everyday lives.
The story serves as a cautionary tale that is just as relevant today as it was over six decades ago. Overall, The Landlady is a must-read for fans of Roald Dahl and lovers of horror fiction.
Its a masterclass in storytelling that is both engaging and powerful, and its impact has only grown stronger with time. The Landlady receives a well-deserved five out of five stars.
