Hold onto your Roald Dahl books because they could be worth a fortune one day – and ‘unedited versions’ are already listed for nearly £7,000 on eBay
- ‘Unedited versions’ of British author’s work are listed for nearly £7,000 on eBay
- READ MORE: We’ve no plans to censor Dahl’: Dutch and French publishers say they won’t be making woke rewrites of the classic children’s books
Discovered a set of Roald Dahl books in your attic or have a selection lined up on your bookshelves and fear they’re taking up too much space?
Well, don’t be too eager to get rid of the children’s novels – because ‘unedited versions’ of the British author’s work are already listed for nearly £7,000 on eBay.
It comes as a huge row has broken out in the UK after it emerged that Puffin had made hundreds of alterations to the Dahl’s books, following the use of ‘sensitivity readers’.
Words such as ‘crazy’ and ‘mad’ have been cut from the novels in the UK, while the Oompa Loompas have become gender neutral and Augustus Gloop is no longer described as ‘fat’ in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
But an unedited version of the beloved book is now listed for £6,259.97 on eBay – while copies of Matilda, which has seen Miss Trunchbull change from the ‘most formidable female’ to a ‘most formidable woman’, are listed for almost £2,000.
An unedited version of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is now listed for £6,259.97 on eBay – while copies of Matilda, which has seen Miss Trunchbull change from the ‘most formidable female’ to a ‘most formidable woman’, are listed for almost £2,000
A 1982 version of The Twits, with new versions saying Mrs Twit is no longer ‘ugly and beastly’ but just ‘beastly’, is going for almost £700, and a signed copy of The BFG is listed for £3,380 while unsigned are up for £300.
A James and the Giant Peach book is listed for £575 while an original copy of The Witches is £329.50.
Roald Dahl’s books have sold over 300 million copies and have been translated into 63 languages, with many adaptations of his work for both film and television.
In 2021 Netflix bought the Roald Dahl Story Company, a deal which includes the author’s entire back catalogue.
The Roald Dahl Story Company, which controls the rights to the books, previously said it worked with Puffin to review the texts because it wanted to ensure that Dahl’s ‘wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today’.
The language was reviewed in partnership with Inclusive Minds, a collective which is working to make children’s literature more inclusive and accessible. Any changes were ‘small and carefully considered,’ the company said.
The firm claimed the analysis started in 2020, before Netflix bought the Roald Dahl Story Company and embarked on plans to produce a new generation of films based on the author’s books.
A spokesman for the organisation added: ‘We want to ensure that Roald Dahl’s wonderful stories and characters continue to be enjoyed by all children today.
A 1982 version of The Twits, with new versions saying Mrs Twit is no longer ‘ugly and beastly’ but just ‘beastly’, is going for almost £700
It comes as a huge row has broken out in the UK after it emerged that Puffin had made hundreds of alterations to the Dahl’s books, following the use of ‘sensitivity readers’. Pictured, A Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book is listed for £6,259.97
Words such as ‘crazy’ and ‘mad’ have been cut from the novels in the UK, while the Oompa Loompas have become gender neutral and Augustus Gloop is no longer described as ‘fat’ in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Pictured, Copies of Matilda are listed for almost £2,000
‘When publishing new print runs of books written years ago, it’s not unusual to review the language used alongside updating other details including a book’s cover and page layout.
‘Our guiding principle throughout has been to maintain the storylines, characters, and the irreverence and sharp-edged spirit of the original text. Any changes made have been small and carefully considered.’
They added: ‘As part of our process to review the language used we worked in partnership with Inclusive Minds, a collective for people who are passionate about inclusion and accessibility in children’s literature.
‘The current review began in 2020, before Dahl was acquired by Netflix. It was led by Puffin and Roald Dahl Story Company together.’
A signed copy of The BFG is listed for £3,380 (-pictured) while unsigned are up for £300
A James and the Giant Peach book is listed for £575 while an original copy of The Witches is £329.50
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