Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Parson's Pleasure is a wonderful gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail.
In Parson's Pleasure, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a priceless piece of furniture is the subject of a deceitful bargain . . .
Parson's Pleasure is taken from the short story collection Kiss Kiss, which includes ten other devious and shocking stories, featuring the wife who pawns the mink coat from her lover with unexpected results; the young man in need of room who meets a most accommodating landlady; a wronged wife taking revenge on her dead husband, and others.
'Unnerving bedtime stories, subtle, proficient, hair-raising and done to a turn.' (San Francisco Chronicle )
This story is also available as a Penguin digital audio download read by Derek Jacobi.
Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.
Frequently asked questions
Is Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The story includes a scene where a character takes an axe and breaks a commode into pieces, indicating a level of violence. This act is part of a deceitful bargain and reflects the darker themes of the story. The story is described as sinister and explores the darker side of human nature, which may be unsettling for some readers. This thematic element suggests a level of tension that could be considered scary.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have violence?
The story includes a scene where a character takes an axe and breaks a commode into pieces, indicating a level of violence. This act is part of a deceitful bargain and reflects the darker themes of the story.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have scary content?
The story is described as sinister and explores the darker side of human nature, which may be unsettling for some readers. This thematic element suggests a level of tension that could be considered scary.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have religious themes?
No religious content in the book itself. The search results reference the story's themes but do not indicate any specific religious practices or beliefs.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racial themes or discussions are present in the book. The search results do not mention race as a central theme or element of the story.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have profanity?
The phrase 'bloody good carpenter' is mentioned, indicating mild profanity. This reflects the informal speech of the characters in the story.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions are present in the book. The search results do not indicate any environmental or climate-related content.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have sexual identity?
No sexual content is present in the book. The search results do not indicate any sexual themes or references.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have gender roles?
The story does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. While it may feature male characters, there is no thematic exploration of gender expectations or roles.
Does Parson's Pleasure (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are present in the book. The search results do not provide any references to LGBTQ+ content specifically related to 'Parson's Pleasure.'
