At centenary of birth, Roald Dahl's own story as gripping as his dark tales

By Louise Schwartzkoff
Updated August 28 2016 - 10:09pm, first published August 23 2016 - 2:54pm
Roald Dahl in his famous writer's hut.  Photo: Brian Moody
Roald Dahl in his famous writer's hut. Photo: Brian Moody
Author Roald Dahl with his wife, actress Patricia Neal, and their children, Theo and Tessa, in their garden at Great Missenden in 1965.
 Photo: supplied
Author Roald Dahl with his wife, actress Patricia Neal, and their children, Theo and Tessa, in their garden at Great Missenden in 1965. Photo: supplied
Roald Dahl's writing hut in Great Missenden. Photo: Phyllis Macgraw
Roald Dahl's writing hut in Great Missenden. Photo: Phyllis Macgraw

On the hill above the church of St Peter and St Paul there is a tree. Under the tree there is a gravestone. Sitting on the gravestone, on this English summer afternoon, are two small boys.