The Way Up to Heaven (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
The Way Up to Heaven is a brilliant gem of a short story from Roald Dahl, the master of the sting in the tail.
In The Way Up to Heaven, Roald Dahl, one of the world's favourite authors, tells a sinister story about the darker side of human nature. Here, a woman obsessed with punctuality makes a fateful decision . . .
The Way Up to Heaven 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 priceless piece of furniture that is the subject of a deceitful bargain; a wronged woman 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 Stephanie Beacham.
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 The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The story contains elements of psychological manipulation and a macabre twist involving Mrs. Foster's husband, which could be interpreted as violent in a thematic sense. However, explicit physical violence is not detailed in the search results. The story has a macabre tone and involves themes of fear and anxiety related to Mrs. Foster's punctuality obsession and her husband's cruel behavior, which could be unsettling for some readers.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have violence?
The story contains elements of psychological manipulation and a macabre twist involving Mrs. Foster's husband, which could be interpreted as violent in a thematic sense. However, explicit physical violence is not detailed in the search results.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have scary content?
The story has a macabre tone and involves themes of fear and anxiety related to Mrs. Foster's punctuality obsession and her husband's cruel behavior, which could be unsettling for some readers.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have religious themes?
No religious content in the book itself. The search results do not indicate any religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies within the story.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have racial/cultural content?
No explicit racial themes are present in the book. The search results do not indicate any discussions or elements related to race or racism.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have profanity?
No profanity is present in the book. The search results do not indicate any use of strong language or swearing.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have climate change?
No climate themes are present in the book. The search results do not indicate any discussions or elements related to environmental issues.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have sexual identity?
No sexual content is indicated in the book. The search results do not mention any sexual themes or situations within the narrative.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have gender roles?
The story critiques traditional gender roles, particularly through the character of Mrs. Foster, who struggles against the societal expectations placed upon her by her husband and their lifestyle. This is framed within the context of 1950s society.
Does The Way Up to Heaven (A Roald Dahl Short Story) have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly present in the book. The search results mention a description that includes the phrase 'in a queer sort of way,' but this does not indicate any LGBTQ+ content in the narrative itself.
