Roald Dahl, the master of weaving whimsy and wonder into the fabric of children’s literature that leaves readers feeling hopscotchy (cheerful). He is also the inventor of the frothbuggling Gobblefunk language that’s just whoopsy whiffling (you can find these words in The Oxford Roald Dahl Dictionary). Throughout his life he did a lot for charity, and today Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity continues this part of Roald Dahl’s legacy. In 1991 (a year after his death), the short children’s story The Vicar of Nibbleswicke was published, a tale that tickles the funny bone while touching on the tender topic of dyslexia. While it is only 48 pages in length, it is packed with Dahl’s unique humour and helped to raise money for a dyslexia charity (Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake donated their rights).
The Vicar of Nibbleswicke by Roald Dahl is a hilarious leap into linguistic lunacy and raising awareness of dyslexia.
The Vicar of Nibbleswicke is the Reverend Robert Lee. As a child he was dyslexic but we hard work and perseverance managed to overcome it. When taking on the job of the new parish vicar in Nibbleswicke, the stress and worry of questioning himself whether he can cope with the different duties causes him to wake up the next morning with a rare form of dyslexia; Back-to-Front Dyslexia. This causes some words to tumble out of his mouth backwards, with him none the wiser, leaving his parishioners in Nibbleswicke in a state of shock and bewilderment. Imagine the horror and hilarity when advising his flock on communion etiquette, the vicar instructs them not to “plug” the wine but to “pis” gently instead. Oh, the scandal in village! Dog help us!
This isn’t the first time one of Dahl’s stories has featured backwards words. Tortoises suffer the same condition in Esio Trot.
Dahl’s playful prose is complemented by Quentin Blake’s lively illustrations, which dance across the pages, bringing the vicar’s reversed rhetoric to life. The book is not just a humorous children’s book that tells a fun and elicits laughter; it was penned with another purpose in mind, with Dahl and Blake auctioning the rights to benefit the Dyslexia Institute. It’s a testament to the author’s ability to address serious issues and raise awareness with a light-hearted touch.
Overall, while the book is touching upon a serious issue (the NHS websites states that it’s estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia), this fun and engaging short story is a testament to Dahl’s genius at crafting stories that resonate with both children and adults. It’s a quick read, but like a fine wine, it’s one to be savoured, with nuances and notes that linger long after the last page is turned.
The Vicar of Nibbleswicke is a delightful dalliance into the absurd, a reminder that language is a playground, and Roald Dahl is the ringleader of fun and masterful manipulator of words.
This book promises a light-hearted look at dyslexia and some of the effects it can have, leaving the reader with a hefty dose of giggles and guffaws.
A fun read, although if you drive please heed the Rev. Lee’s warning not to krap outside the church. Yes, some may be offended with the use of words such as krap and pis, but that’s Dahl’s humour and it works, you will be laughing out loud at the absurdity of the Reverends problem and how he overcomes it.
I loved The Vicar of Nibblewicke; it’s short and sweet and laugh out loud funny. And while it is a funny story, it doesn’t do so at the expense of belittling the condition or offending people who are dyslexic.
If you want to find about more about dyslexia or looking for help and support, visit the British Dyslexia Association or The Dyslexia Association.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £4.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit www.roalddahl.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
