'We fall not in love but in Lust'
In these ten short stories, Dahl explore the dark side of human's nature through desire and lust. At first, I really thought that this book would be about lust that tangled between human. But after reaching 3 last stories, I realised that the definition of Lust here is much wider and darker. Just like others collected stories, Lust also has its best and worst story.
And here's my final ranking for Dahl's works.
10. Claud's Dog, The Ratcatcher.
This is absolutely the weirdest and the worst story in this book. I thought the story was about a man, who is working as a rat catcher, gets obsessed over his job and slowly becomes his desire. But, at the last page of the story, it reveals that this man really got a nerve! And after reading Claud's Dog, I really want to throw up.
9. Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life
Dahl indeed knew how to write a title that is very different from the story. I don't really see the point in this story and can't find which part shows the Lust in it. It was about a farmer who wanted to breed his cow, so he called his friends and went to a senior farmer who has breed for many times. The most absurd thing that I read is the connection between spermatozoa and the sun. Also, I think there will be no one who will turned on over cows having sex.
8. Georgy Porgy
A vicar and his phobia against woman. There is nothing wrong with this story, only the ending confused me a lot. I have to do some research and watch the short movie in order to understand the whole story. In the story the vicar, whose his name is George, has done some experiment using RATS. I guess Dahl just obsessed over rats.
7. Nunc Dimittis
This story reflects some of the successful revenge that I ever read and also a brilliant-so do weird-art method. Nunc Dimittis is the last story from the book, and it did a great job as a closing. I would rather skip Claud's Dog and jumped to Nunc Dimittis instead.
6. Neck
I might count Neck as a thriller since the ending gave me some haunting thought after reading it. Dahl describes human's desire over money brilliantly! The fact that Dahl wrote an open ending, left me questioned about which ending would fit, since I hate the Lady's attitude.
5. Madame Rosette
The first story of the book quite amused me. Just like Neck, Dahl also wrote an open ending for this one. If you think this is a prince-charming-on-a-white-horse story, think again. Maybe you missed some of the details.
4. The Visitor
The story about uncle Cornelius always amazed me. The Visitor is the first uncle Cornelius' story and the ending is hilarious. Not like the other twists, this one makes me opened my mouth and laugh over Cornelius 'lucky night'. Dahl really know how to make someone laugh and throwing up at the same time.
3. The Great Switcheroo
If some of you have read the whole book, maybe you might disagree with me to put The Great Switcheroo on my top three. I must admit one of the character acts very impolite, but the whole story is unique and well-written. So, I'm fully conscious to put this one on my top three.
2. Bitch
This one is my favourite! and it's another story of uncle Cornelius. The story focuses on making a perfume which can waked our senses of desire. I thought he was not gonna' make it, but I was wrong. The perfume really did the job, but what come after might disappoint you a little bit. Even though this is my second favourite story, it still has some point that I might disagree. Like, he don't get the consent from the boxer an other 'lab rat'. I mean, dude please get some consent for your experiment.
1. The Last Act
This story probably not about moving on and finding your desire again. The Last Act is another story of revenge. It was irony what happened to Anna and make me to be very careful on breaking up with someone (you guys should have a good communication). But, after all this story did a great job on me and I personally love it. One thing that I learned from this story is that, The past remains in the past and if you still lives with them, you will remain there forever. Life will past you by and left you with no mercy. Now, all you gotta do is MOVE ON!
Conclusion
That is my ranking for Lust by Roald Dahl, Even it has some part that you might disagree with, in the end it's a book and it's an art. You have the right to like it or not. and for me personally, I do enjoy the book (even though, there is one story that I really hate)
Here is my star rating for the book,
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