Charles Spencer has blasted the “bizarre” decision to revise parts of Roald Dahl’s work to make it “more acceptable” to readers, arguing that doing so risked removing the author’s character.
Speaking on the Broadcasting House news program on Radio 4, the late Princess Diana’s brother argued that author Dahl was a “famously abusive man” as he waded into the line.
Publisher Penguin sparked controversy this week after it emerged it had hired sensitive writers to remove language that might be offensive to modern readers.
Penguin said it would make the changes, which included cutting out words that describe characters as “ugly” and rendering Willy Wonka’s Oompa Loompas gender-neutral so the books “can still be enjoyed by everyone today.”
But a number of authors, politicians and parents have criticized the “ridiculous” decision, prompting Penguin to confirm it will continue to release the original works as part of its Classics collection.
Earl Spencer was spotted arriving at the BBC Broadcasting House in London on Sunday to speak about Roald Dahl’s work on Radio 4
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Earl Spencer, 58, lashed out at the censorship of Dahl’s books.
He said: “I find all of this quite bizarre because if Roald Dahl contains offensive material, he was a notoriously offensive man and you are cutting out the author’s character.
“The people who are now re-releasing the vintage version are actually going to deserve a kill.”
Dahl, who died in 1990, was reportedly an unpleasant and rude man who was vocal about his anti-Semitic views.
He was also heavily criticized for gender and racial stereotypes that appeared in his books, leading to some being rewritten while he was still alive.
Most notably, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was issued in 1974 to remove reference to the Oompa Loompas as “African Pygmies” over allegations of racism.
Dahl fans can still purchase unedited versions of the works as well as the new, more sensitive versions.
Some of the changes include significant edits to the descriptions of the characters’ physical appearance – the new editions no longer use the word “bold,” which has reportedly been dropped from every book.
Hundreds of changes have been made to Dahl’s books by Penguin Publishers to ensure “everyone” can enjoy the stories. but a ‘friendly middle-aged lady’
Read more: Camilla speaks out against censorship of Roald Dahl books – while writers like Richard Osman hail her speech and tell the authors that no one should “restrict your freedom of expression or limit your imagination”.
Augustus Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory can now only be described as “enormous”.
Hundreds of changes were made to the original lyrics, erasing Dahl’s colorful and memorable descriptions, some of which were over fifty years old, to make his characters less grotesque.
Mrs. Twit’s “fearful ugliness” has been chopped up into “ugliness” and Mrs. Hoppy in Esio Trot is not an “attractive middle-aged lady” but a “friendly middle-aged lady”.
The reports drew criticism from writers like Salman Rushdie, and even Queen Consort Camilla appeared to join the ranks when she told writers not to remain unbiased by “those who wish to limit your freedom of expression or impose freedom of expression on your notion.” ‘
Earl Spencer was seen at the BBC Broadcasting House in London on Sunday after admitting he most likely will not be at King Charles’ coronation.
Princess Diana’s brother, who lives at Althorp House in Northamptonshire, appeared in good spirits when he arrived to appear on Radio 4 to talk about Roald Dahl.
Charles, who was carrying a brown bag, donned a navy blue suit which he paired with a white shirt.
King Charles’ coronation will take place on May 6, with announcements expected to go out to guests this week and official invitations to follow in April. Princess Diana’s brother, 58, who lives at Althorp House in Northamptonshire, appeared in good spirits when he arrived at the television studios
In addition to reaching out to Roald Dahl, he hit out at Cancel Culture on the show: “Cancel Culture is so terrifying to so many people.”
It comes after he recently admitted he is unlikely to be invited to the coronation of King Charles on Jane Garvey and Fi Glover’s Times Radio podcast Off Air.
When asked if he would be invited to the event, the author replies: “I didn’t think so, I think only about two thousand people will go.
“There’s an old crown banging around here somewhere, but I won’t be wearing it any time soon, I don’t think.”
However, Prince William and Prince Harry’s uncle didn’t seem too concerned about not receiving an invitation to the royal event.
He admitted: “The whole royal thing… I don’t find it as interesting as other people do, you know? I just get on with my life… People assume I care a lot, but it’s just a side aspect of my life.”
King Charles’ coronation will take place on May 6, with save the date announcements expected to go out to guests this week and official invitations to follow in April.
And while the guest list has been slashed to 2,000 from 8,000 who attended the late Queen’s coronation in 1953, there is one area the King has expanded.
The sacred ceremony is meant to be an intimate exchange between the monarch and his people in the presence of God.
But as part of his plan to update the ceremony, King Charles has decided to step away from the 900-year tradition by inviting his crowned friends, including European kings and rulers from Arab states.
It is still uncertain whether Prince Harry will be visiting from his home in California with his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex for the occasion.