Boy: Tales of Childhood

Dahl’s father, an ambitious Norwegian man who ran away to France and then Britain to make his fortune, had a significant impact on the young Dahl, even though he passed away when Dahl was only three. He had a passion for art and beautiful things, a passion that his son inherited. Furthermore, Harald dealt with the hardships of life with good humor, a trait that he also shared with his son. Harald and Sofie’s proud Norwegian heritage also influences Dahl’s life; the family travels to Norway every summer for a few months of idyllic swimming, playing, and fishing.

Dahl has an exceptionally close relationship with his mother, Sofie. The two correspond for the rest of his mother’s life, a practice that began at St Peter’s School. Sofie is a loving and supportive presence through Dahl’s childhood, nursing him lovingly back to health after his adenoid surgery and his nose re-attachment. She also advocates for Dahl; when he is beaten with a cane at Llandaff Cathedral School at eight years old, she marches into the school and announces that her son will not be returning the following year.

When Dahl gets his coveted position in East Africa with Shell, Sofie suppresses the grief and reluctance he later realizes that she must have felt and instead celebrates with her son.