You probably think you know the answer to how many books did roald dahl write. Most of us grew up with the big ones—Matilda, The BFG, and that chocolate factory book everyone loves. But honestly, the "official" number is a bit of a moving target. If you just count the stories he wrote for kids, you're looking at 19 books. But Dahl wasn't just a children's author. He was a fighter pilot, a spy, and a guy who wrote some of the darkest adult fiction you'll ever read.
Basically, if you count every single thing he put out—the kids' novels, the adult short story collections, the poetry, and the autobiographies—the number lands somewhere around 48 to 50 distinct works. But wait, it gets weird.
If you start including posthumous collections, screenplays for James Bond movies (yes, really), and his "Ideas Books" that were published after he passed away, the list balloons. Let’s break down what he actually penned and why that number is so hard to pin down.
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The Famous 19: The Kids' Classics
When people ask how many books did roald dahl write, they usually mean the ones with the Quentin Blake illustrations. These are the heavy hitters. You’ve got the full-length novels like James and the Giant Peach (1961), which was basically his breakout hit in the US, and The Witches (1983), which still gives some adults nightmares.
- The Big Novels: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The BFG, Danny, the Champion of the World.
- The Shorter Ones: The Twits, The Magic Finger, Fantastic Mr Fox.
- The Picture Books: The Enormous Crocodile (his first collaboration with Blake) and The Minpins.
It’s a solid list. 19 books that defined childhood for millions. But here is a fun fact: Dahl didn't even start writing for children until he had kids of his own. He was already a successful writer for adults long before Willy Wonka was a glimmer in his eye.
The Adult Side: Macabre and Twisted
Dahl’s "other" career is often overlooked. He wrote two full-length novels for adults: Sometime Never: A Fable for Supermen (1948)—which was actually the first book about nuclear war published in the US—and the very "adult" My Uncle Oswald (1979).
Most of his adult work, however, was in short stories. He was the master of the "twist in the tale." You've probably seen Tales of the Unexpected on TV? That was him. He published around nine major short story collections during his life, including Kiss Kiss and Someone Like You.
If you're keeping score, that's 19 kids' books + 2 adult novels + 9 short story collections. We're at 30. But we aren't done.
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The Poetry and the "Extras"
Dahl loved a good rhyme, but not the "roses are red" kind. He wrote three main books of poetry for children: Revolting Rhymes, Dirty Beasts, and Rhyme Stew. These aren't just little poems; they are full books.
Then there are the autobiographies. Boy: Tales of Childhood (1984) and Going Solo (1986). These are technically non-fiction, but they read like his novels—mostly because he had a tendency to "enhance" the truth for a better story. Honestly, who cares if the "Great Mouse Plot" happened exactly like he said? It's a great read.
Why the Number Varies
The reason you’ll see different numbers like 43, 48, or even 50 on different websites is because of how people categorize "books."
- Posthumous Releases: Books like The Vicar of Nibbleswicke were published after he died in 1990.
- Screenplays: He wrote the screenplay for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Bond flick You Only Live Twice. Do those count as books? Most bibliographers say no, but collectors say yes.
- Compilations: There are hundreds of "Best of Roald Dahl" books. These aren't new books, just recycled stories. If you strip those away, the "original" body of work is more manageable.
The Final Count
If we are talking about unique, original volumes published during his lifetime or shortly after his death, here is the breakdown:
- Children's Stories: 19
- Poetry Books: 3
- Adult Novels: 2
- Short Story Collections: 9
- Autobiographies: 2
- Non-Fiction/Other: 8 (This includes things like The Roald Dahl Cookbook and Memories with Food at Gipsy House)
That brings us to a total of roughly 43 original books.
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It’s an incredible output for a guy who wrote in a tiny brick hut at the end of his garden, sitting in an old armchair with a custom-made wooden board across his lap. He never used a typewriter. Every single one of those books was written in pencil on yellow legal pads imported from New York.
How to Start Your Collection
If you're looking to actually read all of them, don't just stick to the kids' section. Go find a copy of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More. It’s the perfect "bridge" book—it's marketed for older kids, but the stories are sophisticated enough for any adult.
After that, dive into his adult short stories. They are cynical, dark, and brilliantly written. Just don't expect the "happily ever after" you get in Matilda. Dahl’s world for adults is much, much meaner.
Your next step: Head to a local used bookstore and look for a 1970s or 80s paperback of Tales of the Unexpected. It’s the best entry point into the "other" side of Roald Dahl that most people never see.