Kiss Kiss

Kiss Kiss is a collection of eleven short stories by Roald Dahl, published in 1960. The stories were originally published in various magazines, including The New Yorker, before being compiled into this collection. Each tale centers on ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations, often with unexpected twists. The stories range from tales of marital deception to bizarre encounters with strangers, combining elements of horror, comedy, and suspense. One of the stories, "The Champion of the World," later evolved into Dahl's beloved children's novel Danny the Champion of the World. The collection has been translated into multiple languages and adapted into audio performances by notable actors including Derek Jacobi and Juliet Stevenson. These stories showcase Dahl's signature style of dark humor and his exploration of human nature's more sinister aspects. The collection examines themes of revenge, deception, and the hidden depths beneath seemingly normal facades.

Readers describe Kiss Kiss as a collection of dark, twisted short stories that differ from Dahl's children's books. The anthology maintains suspense through subtle buildups and shocking endings. Readers appreciated: - Unpredictable plot twists - Dark humor and macabre themes - Tight, economical writing style - Complex characters who seem normal at first Common criticisms: - Stories can feel dated or old-fashioned - Some endings are too abrupt - A few stories lag in pacing - Collection feels uneven in quality Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (27,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (450+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) "The perfect balance of horror and dark comedy" - Goodreads reviewer "Some stories are brilliant, others forgettable" - Amazon reviewer "Makes you question human nature without being preachy" - LibraryThing user

Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl A collection of sixteen short stories that shares Kiss Kiss's exploration of twisted human nature and dark surprises lurking beneath ordinary life.

The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson These stories present mundane situations that spiral into horror, revealing the darkness beneath social conventions and polite facades.

Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg This collection blends absurdist situations with human relationships in ways that echo Dahl's mix of darkness and wit.

Nine Stories by J. D. Salinger The stories feature precise observations of human behavior and unexpected turns that transform seemingly simple encounters into profound revelations.

Tenth of December by George Saunders These stories combine dark themes with moments of humanity in a way that mirrors Dahl's ability to balance horror with humor.

🔸 Though famous for children's literature, Dahl first gained recognition as a master of macabre adult fiction, with "Kiss Kiss" representing some of his most celebrated work in this genre. 🔸 The story "Royal Jelly" from this collection was inspired by Dahl's own beekeeping hobby and his fascination with the transformative properties of royal jelly on bee larvae. 🔸 Several stories in "Kiss Kiss" were adapted for television, including episodes of "Tales of the Unexpected," a series that ran from 1979 to 1988, with Dahl himself introducing each episode. 🔸 The collection was first published in 1960, during a period when Dahl was dealing with family tragedy - his infant son had suffered a severe injury, and his daughter had recently died of measles. 🔸 The New Yorker paid Dahl $1,000 per story they published in the 1950s - equivalent to over $10,000 today - making him one of their highest-paid short story contributors at the time.