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Dahl’s books are mean in the best way. Adults are grotesque monsters. Kids are clever survivors. “Matilda” has an abusive headmistress who throws children. “James and the Giant Peach” escapes an awful family via magical fruit. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” punishes bratty kids with creative violence. Dahl was a fighter pilot, spy, and inventor who wrote children’s books treating kids like intelligent people who understand the world is often cruel and unfair—but cleverness and kindness can win anyway.