Compiling an author's short fiction together in a book format oftentimes emphasizes or uncovers particular recurring themes or characterizations. Dahl's preface to a recent edition of this book provides some illumination as to the impetus behind these satirical works as well as his intent.

1. How successfully do the same characters, such as Claud and Rummins, reappear in these various country stories?

2. Is it necessary to have experienced farm life to fully understand these stories?

Or are they universal?

3. How does the novel Danny, the Champion of the World differ from the earlier short story "The Champion of the World"?

4. In the early 1950s, the New Yorker turned down a number of short stories about Buckinghamshire that appear in this volume, including "The Ratcatcher," "Rummins," and "Mr. Hoddy." What did the Knopf publishers see that the New Yorker editors overlooked?

5. Many critics claim that Dahl's later work...