Rishi Sunak joins criticism of changes to Roald Dahl books

Rishi Sunak has intervened in the row over the rewriting of parts of Roald Dahl’s books to remove language deemed inappropriate, portraying it as an attack on free speech.

His comments came after the author Philip Pullman suggested Dahl’s work should be allowed to fade away and be replaced by more modern children’s writers.

Dahl’s publisher, Puffin, has been criticised in recent days after hiring sensitivity readers to go over his texts to make sure the books “can continue to be enjoyed by all today”. Some have said derogatory references to people’s physical appearances, as well as other characteristics, in Dahl’s work are not suitable for young readers.

On Monday, Sunak’s official spokesperson said: “When it comes to our rich and varied literary heritage, the prime minister agrees with the BFG that we shouldn’t gobblefunk around with words. I think it’s important that works of literature and works of fiction are preserved and not airbrushed. We have always defended the right to free speech and expression.”

Pullman, however, simply encouraged children simply to read “better” authors.

“Let him go out of print,” the author of His Dark Materials said on Monday. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that people should instead explore writers such as Malorie Blackman, Michael Morpurgo and Beverley Naidoo. “Read all of these wonderful authors who are writing today, who don’t get as much of a look-in because of the massive commercial gravity of people like Roald Dahl.”

He said Dahl’s work, if left alone, would not disappear overnight or be substantially changed in the public’s consciousness, because of the vast numbers of existing editions sitting on shelves in homes, school libraries and elsewhere. “What are you going to do about them? All these words are still there, are you going to round up all the books and cross them out with a big black pen?”

Dahl’s work, if left alone, would neither disappear overnight, nor be substantially changed in the public’s consciousness, because of the vast numbers of existing editions, says Philip Pullman. Photograph: David Levenson/Getty Images

Asked about the controversy over the rewrites, he said: “Dahl can look after himself. I hadn’t read his books for very many years and I don’t want to again.”

He added: “The point is: these words, these phrases and language uses do change over time. For a young author now coming in, who hasn’t got the clout and the commercial power of someone like Roald Dahl, it’s quite hard to resist the nudging towards saying this or not saying that, which is a pity, I think.”

Hundreds of changes have been made to Dahl’s original texts. For example, in The Twits, Mrs Twit is no longer “ugly and beastly” but just “beastly”. References to people being fat are also among the edits, which were made in conjunction with Inclusive Minds, a “collective for people who are passionate about inclusion and accessibility in children’s literature”.

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The Roald Dahl Story Company has said “it’s not unusual to review the language” during a new print run and any changes were “small and carefully considered”.

Among those to criticise Puffin is the author Salman Rushdie, who framed the issue as one of free speech. The Booker prize winner tweeted: “Roald Dahl was no angel but this is absurd censorship. Puffin Books and the Dahl estate should be ashamed.”

Suzanne Nossel, the chief executive of PEN America – a community of more than 7,000 writers advocating for freedom of expression – said: “Those who might cheer specific edits to Dahl’s work should consider how the power to rewrite books might be used in the hands of those who do not share their values and sensibilities.”

Dahl, who died in 1990, has regularly featured among the UK’s favourite authors. But the editing of some of his works is just the latest reassessment of his legacy. In 2020, his family apologised for the “lasting and understandable hurt caused by Roald Dahl’s antisemitic statements”.