I am currently reading “Love from Boy,” Roald Dahl’s letters to his mother, discovering a new facet of one of the world’s best storytellers. Letters are different from stories; they are full of mistakes and misspellings but tender, touching, and personal. I would like to share some of the inspiring gems I found, both in Dahl’s letters and his well-known stories published and shared with the whole world. Another one that is also close to my heart is "A Boy From Baghdad." All of them, however, belong to literature that explores the experiences of young boys facing adversities.
Confront new challenges and prejudices
"A Boy From Baghdad" stands out as a poignant narrative set against the backdrop of political turmoil and religious discrimination in 1951 Iraq. Salman Shasha's journey encapsulates the struggle of Iraqi Jews, forced to leave their homeland in pursuit of the promised sanctuary of Israel, only to confront new challenges and prejudices.
It's 1951, and twelve-year-old Salman Shasha is happy with his life in Baghdad. But trouble is brewing. He resists at first until he hears:
“Jews are no longer safe in Iraq. When are you going to get it through your thick head?”
The story deftly weaves historical events with personal tribulations, shedding light on the Shasha family's resilience in the face of hatred and change.
A very similar title is set to be published in June - “The Boy from Baghdad: My Journey from Waziriyah to Westminster.” This will mark the first memoir from Nadhim Zahawi, who was raised in Baghdad but arrived in the UK at the age of 11, forced to flee Iraq with his family due to threats from Saddam Hussein’s regime.
It might be interesting to learn about his unique upbringing in the Middle East, his family’s adjustment to their new life in Britain, and his ascent to Second Lord of the Treasury, one of the highest offices in his adoptive homeland.
Try to be optimistic even when things look hopeless.
‘But there was one other thing that the grown-ups also knew, and it was this: that however small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance is there. The chance had to be there.’ – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The portrayal of Salman's passion for swimming becomes a powerful metaphor for perseverance and determination amid adversity.
The narrative strongly emphasises the importance of friendship and family, highlighting how these bonds can provide strength during times of hardship.
There’s value in doing things that scare you.
‘I will not pretend I wasn't petrified. I was. But mixed in with the awful fear was a glorious feeling of excitement. Most of the really exciting things we do in our lives scare us to death. They wouldn't be exciting if they didn't.’ – Danny the Champion of the World
Try to understand others, and when that is impossible, accept them.
The underlying message of diversity in the modern world is a crucial aspect of "A Boy From Baghdad." The story serves as an important reminder of the impact of discrimination and the need for acceptance and understanding among different communities. The emotional journey of Salman reflects the universal themes of overcoming challenges, making it essential reading for both younger and older boys."
Remain charming and innocent.
Emotional in a different way, the letters ("Love from Boy") from a young Roald Dahl to his mother provide readers with a charming and intimate glimpse into the author's formative years. Written with the innocence and honesty of a child, Dahl's letters showcase his early attempts at storytelling, laying the groundwork for the imaginative and whimsical tales that would later define his literary legacy as a writer.
My favourite letter begins:
“DON’T OPEN
Until you have tried to make sense of the other
Correct version, punctuated.”
Resource for nurturing and cherishing memories
The letters also reveal the significant role Sofie Magdalene played in nurturing Dahl's creative spirit. As his first reader and encourager, she unwittingly shaped the development of his dark sense of humour and fantastical imagination. The letters serve as a testament to the enduring bond between mother and son, a relationship that provided the fertile ground for Dahl's literary genius to blossom.
In both Dahl’s letters and 'A Boy from Baghdad,' the power of storytelling emerges as a common thread. Salman's story and Dahl's childhood letters illustrate the transformative potential of narrative, whether as a tool for confronting social injustices or as a means of preserving cherished memories. These books serve as windows into different worlds, inviting readers to empathise, reflect, and appreciate the resilience of the human spirit in the face of diverse challenges.
The stories of Salman Shasha from 'A Boy From Baghdad' and the young Roald Dahl's letters to his mother reach deep within the recesses of the human heart, capturing and bringing forth tender emotions that resonate on a universal level.
“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” – The Twits
BOY
Remain as childish as your innocence,
A boy, sun beaming every phrase, sentence.
Free spirit in corridors of pure charm,
Casting a glow above simple rhyme.
Have good thoughts, boy, and shine
A beacon of joy in a world oftentimes maimed.
For in the simple being, you find all power,
You boy who smiles in every working hour.
Pre-order: