The works of British children’s author Roald Dahl (1916–90) have faced criticism for racial and sexual stereotypes and for insensitive and outdated language related to gender, race, mental health, and body type. As a result, in the 21st century hundreds of passages in Dahl’s books, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964), The Twits (1980), and The Witches (1983), were revised to remove or replace the objectionable language. The changes sparked debates on censorship and editorial overreach.
In addition, Dahl’s personal views, particularly antisemitic statements he made in interviews and nonfiction writings, have sparked controversy, leading to an apology from his estate in 2020 and complicating his legacy as a beloved children’s author.