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The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
ISBN 13: 9780060536244
If you could see with your eyes closed...Would you use your power for good or for personal gain?
The life story of "The Man Who Could See Without His Eyes," inspires Henry Sugar with a wonderful idea. Such an amazing ability could allow Henry to cheat at cards!
Henry undertakes years of training to achieve this remarkable feat and promptly uses his new power to win, and win big, but he soon discovers that more than his eyes have been changed by his studies...
If you could see with your eyes closed...Would you use your power for good or for personal gain?
The life story of "The Man Who Could See Without His Eyes," inspires Henry Sugar with a wonderful idea. Such an amazing ability could allow Henry to cheat at cards!
Henry undertakes years of training to achieve this remarkable feat and promptly uses his new power to win, and win big, but he soon discovers that more than his eyes have been changed by his studies...
Audiobook
First published September 12, 1977
About the author
Roald Dahl
1,448 books25.7k followersRoald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer and screenwriter of Norwegian descent, who rose to prominence in the 1940's with works for both children and adults, and became one of the world's bestselling authors.
Dahl's first published work, inspired by a meeting with C. S. Forester, was Shot Down Over Libya. Today the story is published as A Piece of Cake. The story, about his wartime adventures, was bought by the Saturday Evening Post for $900, and propelled him into a career as a writer. Its title was inspired by a highly inaccurate and sensationalized article about the crash that blinded him, which claimed he had been shot down instead of simply having to land because of low fuel.
His first children's book was The Gremlins, about mischievous little creatures that were part of RAF folklore. The book was commissioned by Walt Disney for a film that was never made, and published in 1943. Dahl went on to create some of the best-loved children's stories of the 20th century, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and James and the Giant Peach.
He also had a successful parallel career as the writer of macabre adult short stories, usually with a dark sense of humour and a surprise ending. Many were originally written for American magazines such as Ladies Home Journal, Harper's, Playboy and The New Yorker, then subsequently collected by Dahl into anthologies, gaining world-wide acclaim. Dahl wrote more than 60 short stories and they have appeared in numerous collections, some only being published in book form after his death. His stories also brought him three Edgar Awards: in 1954, for the collection Someone Like You; in 1959, for the story "The Landlady"; and in 1980, for the episode of Tales of the Unexpected based on "Skin".
Dahl's first published work, inspired by a meeting with C. S. Forester, was Shot Down Over Libya. Today the story is published as A Piece of Cake. The story, about his wartime adventures, was bought by the Saturday Evening Post for $900, and propelled him into a career as a writer. Its title was inspired by a highly inaccurate and sensationalized article about the crash that blinded him, which claimed he had been shot down instead of simply having to land because of low fuel.
His first children's book was The Gremlins, about mischievous little creatures that were part of RAF folklore. The book was commissioned by Walt Disney for a film that was never made, and published in 1943. Dahl went on to create some of the best-loved children's stories of the 20th century, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and James and the Giant Peach.
He also had a successful parallel career as the writer of macabre adult short stories, usually with a dark sense of humour and a surprise ending. Many were originally written for American magazines such as Ladies Home Journal, Harper's, Playboy and The New Yorker, then subsequently collected by Dahl into anthologies, gaining world-wide acclaim. Dahl wrote more than 60 short stories and they have appeared in numerous collections, some only being published in book form after his death. His stories also brought him three Edgar Awards: in 1954, for the collection Someone Like You; in 1959, for the story "The Landlady"; and in 1980, for the episode of Tales of the Unexpected based on "Skin".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
March 1, 2017
For this end of the month buddy read, I agreed to another Roald Dahl classic, though not one I have ever attempted before. This is a story within a story, which adds additional layers in its telling and the review. Henry Sugar is a wealthy and extremely egocentric man who gambles every chance he gets. While perusing the private library of an acquaintance, Sugar comes across a school tablet containing the summary of an interview with Imhrat Khan, an Indian man with a special talent. As Sugar reads, he discovers that Khan could see the world around him without using his eyes after extensive consultation and training with a yogi. Through Khan's tale, Sugar learns the art of intense concentration, which he feels might be highly useful for his own gambling needs. After years of training, Sugar has honed these skills, now ready to put them to use. After winning a decent amount at his favourite gambling establishment, he has a form of epiphany, seeking to turn his winnings into something better. Dahl crafts the rest of this story around Sugar and how he will use these skills around the world to benefit others, a Robin Hood of sorts. By the end, all is revealed to the reader, or at least enough to keep everyone in some degree of suspense. An interesting story that might move outside the realm of past children's stories flowing from Dahl's pen, but is just as delightful for readers of all ages.
Anything Roald Dahl is sure to be a highly entertaining read, which is supported with this piece. Dahl offers up another winner in this brief tale that offers two stories for the price of one. Layering both the Khan tale and the progression of Sugar's own epiphany allows Dahl to offer two insights for his reader, if you will pardon the pun. While the cast of characters is minimal, the reader makes do with what is put before them and can discover a wonderfully engaging piece that speaks to each person differently. Working both in the heart of India (Khan) and England (Sugar), Dahl can show his reader the relatively large difference between the cultures and mindsets, though the end result remains the same; there are those who are greedy all over and those who seek to render their individual abilities for their own profit. One might say this story is geared more for the mid-level reader to better grasp the ideas presented, though the narrative and dialogue are nothing too ghastly.
Kudos, Mr. Dahl for another exciting story that I can now say that I have added to my already burgeoning collection.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Anything Roald Dahl is sure to be a highly entertaining read, which is supported with this piece. Dahl offers up another winner in this brief tale that offers two stories for the price of one. Layering both the Khan tale and the progression of Sugar's own epiphany allows Dahl to offer two insights for his reader, if you will pardon the pun. While the cast of characters is minimal, the reader makes do with what is put before them and can discover a wonderfully engaging piece that speaks to each person differently. Working both in the heart of India (Khan) and England (Sugar), Dahl can show his reader the relatively large difference between the cultures and mindsets, though the end result remains the same; there are those who are greedy all over and those who seek to render their individual abilities for their own profit. One might say this story is geared more for the mid-level reader to better grasp the ideas presented, though the narrative and dialogue are nothing too ghastly.
Kudos, Mr. Dahl for another exciting story that I can now say that I have added to my already burgeoning collection.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 28, 2021
I am getting back on GR after a considerable gap, so I wished for something crisp and short to set about. This story seemed to be working for me. With this first review of this New Year, of a story by none other than my dearest Roald Dahl, I will wish all my GR friends a great reading year ahead. After talking about this story I am hoping to get stuck yet again by the vivacity of reading some great reviews from my friends. The next thing I will do, after briefly talking about this story that I will talk about those books I read last year, this job was just held up for a long period due to some distinctive reasons.
This short story by the master storyteller proved to be a rejuvenating one for me. Henry Sugar is an interesting character but the more interesting thing happened to be the narration style of this story. It has been done peacefully well. I would express my experience with the book something like this; inside a story, there was another story. One story is wrapped in the second story. And then that second story was gift-wrapped in an embellished envelope which in itself turned out to be a story. In the end, I found myself reading the envelope for the nub of the story. Are you getting that?
I have read many stories of Roald Dahl and he is a twist-in-the-tale maestro. I was expecting something similar twist towards the end and I was ready for my share of those usual goosebumps but this time there was something else reserved for me.
The story is about money and gambling and trickery and greed then this story is also about yogic control and meditation and focus and philanthropy. How these two different sets of human bearings go together here, among the same characters is the oddity of the game on the part of the author. The interesting part is that it traces its roots to India, and also mentions a place that is just a few kilometers away from the place I am writing this review, right now.
There are two spellbinding characters in this story. There is obviously the first one Henry Sugar, who is rich because he had a rich father and he has done never a day’s work in his life because he has invented a motto for himself,
“It is better to get a mild rebuke than to perform an onerous task”
He is 41, still unmarried because he is too selfish to share his money with his wife. This man drifts like seaweed across the globe. Such a wealthy man!
Then this fascinating gentleman comes to know about the story of another compelling gentleman named Imhrat khan in Bombay whose introduction goes like,
“The Man Who Could See Without His Eyes”
One day, a doctor of the Bombay general hospital takes a roll of three-inch bandage and wraps it around this man’s head( Imhrat Khan's) and this bandage holds a ball of cotton wool over his dough filled eye sockets so that this fellow could see nothing other than the top of his nose. He himself had suggested doctors do this so that he may look like a man without eyes in real, and then this man performs a miraculous performance in such a blind state in the Royal Palace Hall at night.
Later after the revelation of the secret behind it, Henry sugar comes to know that this man had learned yogic techniques from a yogi of India, after years of practice of concentration he could see the other side of a card or could read a book put behind the metal sheet without seeing it just by touching the metal. Henry sugar decides to master the technique and he masters it quickly.
He is one of the millions it seems. He also thought the same. When he learned it too fast.
The chosen one!
And then begins this man's venture. He takes a flyer with the casinos and gambling world and after winning a huge sum of money across the world with his power of “seeing which is not seeable”, he does so many unusual things. What does he do with that money and what happened to him after that? You should explore it for yourself. It’s a fascinating Roald Dahl style of storytelling on work, till the end.
One must read it for a refreshing experience!
This short story by the master storyteller proved to be a rejuvenating one for me. Henry Sugar is an interesting character but the more interesting thing happened to be the narration style of this story. It has been done peacefully well. I would express my experience with the book something like this; inside a story, there was another story. One story is wrapped in the second story. And then that second story was gift-wrapped in an embellished envelope which in itself turned out to be a story. In the end, I found myself reading the envelope for the nub of the story. Are you getting that?
I have read many stories of Roald Dahl and he is a twist-in-the-tale maestro. I was expecting something similar twist towards the end and I was ready for my share of those usual goosebumps but this time there was something else reserved for me.
The story is about money and gambling and trickery and greed then this story is also about yogic control and meditation and focus and philanthropy. How these two different sets of human bearings go together here, among the same characters is the oddity of the game on the part of the author. The interesting part is that it traces its roots to India, and also mentions a place that is just a few kilometers away from the place I am writing this review, right now.
There are two spellbinding characters in this story. There is obviously the first one Henry Sugar, who is rich because he had a rich father and he has done never a day’s work in his life because he has invented a motto for himself,
“It is better to get a mild rebuke than to perform an onerous task”
He is 41, still unmarried because he is too selfish to share his money with his wife. This man drifts like seaweed across the globe. Such a wealthy man!
Then this fascinating gentleman comes to know about the story of another compelling gentleman named Imhrat khan in Bombay whose introduction goes like,
“The Man Who Could See Without His Eyes”
One day, a doctor of the Bombay general hospital takes a roll of three-inch bandage and wraps it around this man’s head( Imhrat Khan's) and this bandage holds a ball of cotton wool over his dough filled eye sockets so that this fellow could see nothing other than the top of his nose. He himself had suggested doctors do this so that he may look like a man without eyes in real, and then this man performs a miraculous performance in such a blind state in the Royal Palace Hall at night.
Later after the revelation of the secret behind it, Henry sugar comes to know that this man had learned yogic techniques from a yogi of India, after years of practice of concentration he could see the other side of a card or could read a book put behind the metal sheet without seeing it just by touching the metal. Henry sugar decides to master the technique and he masters it quickly.
He is one of the millions it seems. He also thought the same. When he learned it too fast.
The chosen one!
And then begins this man's venture. He takes a flyer with the casinos and gambling world and after winning a huge sum of money across the world with his power of “seeing which is not seeable”, he does so many unusual things. What does he do with that money and what happened to him after that? You should explore it for yourself. It’s a fascinating Roald Dahl style of storytelling on work, till the end.
One must read it for a refreshing experience!
March 14, 2021
This cheeky little audiobook, audio-read by Martin Jarvis, contains a couple of stories, within a story.
Henry Sugar is a rich bloke with lots of time on his hands and one day, when in a library he finds a book written by a Doctor, about a man who can see without his eyes. This man is called Imhrat Khan. By the way, the narrator's Indian accent, for this character is the best!
We then hear the story about Imhrat Khan who wanted to learn magic as a boy, but he discovered it was all sleight of hand. Disappointed, he sought a Yogi, and through this guru he learned how to see without his eyes. He could even see through playing cards.
Now, the rich playboy Sugar, who was happy to cheat at cards - after reading this story at the library, decided to follow Khan's story himself and learn how to see without his eyes - he eventually did this, and he was able to see (cheat) through playing cards. Meaning he could in infinite amounts of money at casinos.
There's some morals Dahl throws at the reader/listener, and the story ends in a way that is a little surprising. Even though, we are presented with an alternate ending - which was a bit interesting.
Overall, this was moderately enjoyable, the narrator's Indian accent was my favourite part because it was so bloody good. But I suspect I'll forget this story in a hurry.
3 Stars
Henry Sugar is a rich bloke with lots of time on his hands and one day, when in a library he finds a book written by a Doctor, about a man who can see without his eyes. This man is called Imhrat Khan. By the way, the narrator's Indian accent, for this character is the best!
We then hear the story about Imhrat Khan who wanted to learn magic as a boy, but he discovered it was all sleight of hand. Disappointed, he sought a Yogi, and through this guru he learned how to see without his eyes. He could even see through playing cards.
Now, the rich playboy Sugar, who was happy to cheat at cards - after reading this story at the library, decided to follow Khan's story himself and learn how to see without his eyes - he eventually did this, and he was able to see (cheat) through playing cards. Meaning he could in infinite amounts of money at casinos.
There's some morals Dahl throws at the reader/listener, and the story ends in a way that is a little surprising. Even though, we are presented with an alternate ending - which was a bit interesting.
Overall, this was moderately enjoyable, the narrator's Indian accent was my favourite part because it was so bloody good. But I suspect I'll forget this story in a hurry.
3 Stars
June 15, 2024
قبلتر ها از رولد دال خوشم نمیومد(چیز زیادی ازش نخونده بودم) ولی تازگیا به نظرم نویسنده جالبیه.
جدای از داستان و شخصیت ایمراتخان، چندتا توصیف راجع به هنری هم داشت که خارج از جو سوپرنچرال و یوگی داستان بودن:
و حتا آخرش که توانایی رو پیدا میکنه و برخلاف اکثر داستان ها که یهو خودشون رو غرق میکنن به صورت عاقلانه ای تصمیم میگیره چیکار کنه با توانییش، قبلش یه چیز دیگه میگه:
یه چیز دیگه هم بگم:
هم داستان رو خوندم و هم اون فیلمی که وس اندرسون ساخته رو دیدم. فیلم رو وسط داستان دیدم. ولی در نهایت میتونم بگم که فیلمش خیلی اقتباس خوبی بود. جدای از یه سری تغییرات ریز اون حس داستان گویی و داستانی رو حفظ کرده بود.
هرچند که خود رولد دال اصرار داشت که داستان واقعیه:
تجربه جالبی بود هم داستان و هم فیلم.
و در نهایت:
جدای از داستان و شخصیت ایمراتخان، چندتا توصیف راجع به هنری هم داشت که خارج از جو سوپرنچرال و یوگی داستان بودن:
They are not particularly bad men. But they are not good men either. They are of no real importance. They are simply a part of the decoration.
All of them, all wealthy people of this type, have one peculiarity in common: they have a terrific urge to make themselves still wealthier than they already are.
و حتا آخرش که توانایی رو پیدا میکنه و برخلاف اکثر داستان ها که یهو خودشون رو غرق میکنن به صورت عاقلانه ای تصمیم میگیره چیکار کنه با توانییش، قبلش یه چیز دیگه میگه:
It was slowly beginning to dawn upon Henry that nothing is any fun if you can get as much of it as you want.
یه چیز دیگه هم بگم:
هم داستان رو خوندم و هم اون فیلمی که وس اندرسون ساخته رو دیدم. فیلم رو وسط داستان دیدم. ولی در نهایت میتونم بگم که فیلمش خیلی اقتباس خوبی بود. جدای از یه سری تغییرات ریز اون حس داستان گویی و داستانی رو حفظ کرده بود.
هرچند که خود رولد دال اصرار داشت که داستان واقعیه:
Now, had this been a made-up story instead of a true one, it would have been necessary to invent some sort of a surprising and exciting end for it. It would not be difficult to do that. Something dramatic and unusual. So before telling you what really did happen to Henry in real life, let us pause here for a moment to see what a competent fiction writer would have done to wrap this story up.
تجربه جالبی بود هم داستان و هم فیلم.
و در نهایت:
There are many things in this world, doctor, that we cannot explain.
May 18, 2023
✩ 3 stars
~
can’t wait to see Benedict Cumberbatch in the Wes Anderson movie adaptation of this story :)
~
can’t wait to see Benedict Cumberbatch in the Wes Anderson movie adaptation of this story :)
July 22, 2020
Awe- Inspiring !
Fantastic ! !
Highly recommended to everyone ! !
Fantastic ! !
Highly recommended to everyone ! !
February 12, 2022
I ve read many stories by Roald Dahl and this one is gonna be one of my favourites.
June 16, 2020
I listened to the audiobook version of the book and the pronunciation of some of the words(places and names in India) was annoying. Other than that the story was pretty interesting. I am glad that Henry Sugar was able to use his gift for good rather than personal gain. The story within the story was interesting.
October 25, 2022
3.5⭐️
This is very sweet. No suspense or twists or quirkiness….just sweet
This is very sweet. No suspense or twists or quirkiness….just sweet
July 22, 2019
Beautiful story about a money hungry cheating man, who finds a little book and soon learns how to obtain powers of a yogi!
This is a story within a story also, as the book he finds also gets elaborated on!
As always from Mr. Dahl, it's a beautifully told story with an unexpected ending!
ENJOY!
This is a story within a story also, as the book he finds also gets elaborated on!
As always from Mr. Dahl, it's a beautifully told story with an unexpected ending!
ENJOY!
December 27, 2020
Minu esimene kokkupuude Dahliga möödus väga meeldivalt. Üks kummaline seiklus, muinasjutulised juhtumised ja õppetunnid.
October 7, 2023
I watched Wes Anderson’s short film adaption before reading the original story. It turns out Wes Anderson stuck ridiculously close to the original text with hardly any diversion in dialogue. The story and humor are perfectly suited for Anderson, whose OCD style of filming, timing, and set designs are a match made in heaven with Dahl. Characters on screen are breaking the fourth wall to recite the dialogue while reenacting it, something I’ve never seen before but seems to work here.
I guess the story itself has a moral of greed and how Henry Sugar was not satisfied with his riches until he did something more productive with it. I can get behind that. I just think if you watch the Anderson adaption you will get the whole package told in a more imaginative way and wouldn’t be missing anything in the story.
I guess the story itself has a moral of greed and how Henry Sugar was not satisfied with his riches until he did something more productive with it. I can get behind that. I just think if you watch the Anderson adaption you will get the whole package told in a more imaginative way and wouldn’t be missing anything in the story.
Read
July 8, 2023complex critique of the upper class and how they take advantage of those less fortunate than them. comparable to The Communist Manifesto, though i'd argue it delves into the issues associated with late capitalism in much more detail and with more clarity.
July 10, 2024
৭/৮ পৃষ্ঠার মধ্যেই গল্পটা বেশ ভালোভাবে শেষ করা যেত :3
December 27, 2019
This was absolutely wonderful story. It was well-written, well-paced, and super creative. Very entertaining, this story kept my attention all the way through. And as with most Roald Dahl books that I've read, well worth the time spent to read.
January 15, 2019
I love Roald Dahl...his stories never disappoint!
August 17, 2020
Intriguing, secretive and of the characters full of Morale!
January 19, 2025
One of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read. The only fiction that seems to be nonfiction and actually makes you question if the author’s claiming is real. Makes me mad how smart and flexible the storytelling is. Even the WHOLE story line is so impressive, extraordinary and unique. I’m seriously stunned and quite jealous of this man’s phantasy. I love it so much.
Another person worth mentioning is WES ANDERSON who made it possible to direct this amazing story and create something even more beautiful, aesthetically pleasing and weirdly different from anything else. That man’s genius and I am quite in love with him for having such an individualism. My favorite thing about him is how theatrical his movies are and ESPECIALLY this short story. If you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for?!
At the end of the day, we’re all Henry Sugar, or we must be.
Another person worth mentioning is WES ANDERSON who made it possible to direct this amazing story and create something even more beautiful, aesthetically pleasing and weirdly different from anything else. That man’s genius and I am quite in love with him for having such an individualism. My favorite thing about him is how theatrical his movies are and ESPECIALLY this short story. If you haven’t watched it yet, what are you waiting for?!
At the end of the day, we’re all Henry Sugar, or we must be.
August 25, 2019
Finished reading and listening #thewonderfulstoryofhenrysugar by #roalddahl narrated by #martinjarvis with children.
If you could see with your eyes closed, how would you use your power? That’s what Henry has to decide in "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar."
This famous tale is actually a story-within-a-story-within-a-story-within-a-story.
With Roald Dahl, you can never be sure where reality ends and fantasy begins.
If you could see with your eyes closed, how would you use your power? That’s what Henry has to decide in "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar."
This famous tale is actually a story-within-a-story-within-a-story-within-a-story.
With Roald Dahl, you can never be sure where reality ends and fantasy begins.
February 14, 2023
Love ittt!!
Henry sugar starts off as a wealthy selfish man. Until he finds the story of a man who could see without using his eyes. Seeing with his body or even simply his hands. Intrigued Henry learns how to tap into his other senses and over the course of years he finally gets the skill down to a simple few seconds. With this he’s off to the casinos, but will be remain selfish or learn to be selfless with his new talent?
I enjoyed the audiobook and this was a first time read but always have been a fan of his work!
Henry sugar starts off as a wealthy selfish man. Until he finds the story of a man who could see without using his eyes. Seeing with his body or even simply his hands. Intrigued Henry learns how to tap into his other senses and over the course of years he finally gets the skill down to a simple few seconds. With this he’s off to the casinos, but will be remain selfish or learn to be selfless with his new talent?
I enjoyed the audiobook and this was a first time read but always have been a fan of his work!
March 15, 2024
Henry Sugar is the best of the bunch, closely followed by The Swan Some like The Boy Who Talked With Animals are promising but aren't that deep, and others aren't my genre in general.
August 26, 2016
I am starting to think I'm not a fan of Roald Dahl - except for the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory / Fantasic Mr Fox stories. And Matilda.
January 7, 2020
A very cute story. Roald Dahl's writing style is as charismatic as ever.
December 27, 2023
Watching the Wes Anderson movie adaptation counts as reading this book. Better yet, watch it with your eyes closed.
If you believe in the supernatural powers of mystics, or have had dreams of seeing with your eyes wide shut, you’ll enjoy this cautionary tale of what can happen when you get what you want.
If you believe in the supernatural powers of mystics, or have had dreams of seeing with your eyes wide shut, you’ll enjoy this cautionary tale of what can happen when you get what you want.
January 18, 2024
For decades I've been trying to remember the name of this book, but the only clue I had was a character visualizing his brother's face in a candle flame to try to concentrate/focus/meditate. I was so excited when I saw the Wes Anderson film adaptation and realized this was the book title I had been trying to remember.
January 12, 2021
Did not read it as a kid and enjoyed it very much as an adult.
March 30, 2021
I really enjoyed it. The audiobook narrator available on YouTube is engaging too.
April 19, 2021
A fascinating journey from boredom to purpose.
January 7, 2022
Posting this because I just read that Wes Anderson is directing the film adaptation! So stoked, what a perfect combination. I must have read it a couple of dozen times growing up.
October 1, 2023
The very rich are enormously resentful of bad weather. It is the one discomfort that their money cannot do anything about.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews