I found this book in a shelf in my little library - it has never been read before, so I said: why not? 20 years it's been lying there, might as well pry it open. And so I did.

It is a charming little story regarding a vicar who, due to a condition, speaks certain words backwards. Its quite funny and had I read it as a child I would have loved it even more. But now, being 20, I appreciate the little book for what it is: a work of art.

So my nephew (boyfriends nephew actually but not the point) showed me this book and thought OH MY GOODNESS how have I not heard of this Roald Dahl book? Very heartwarming and I plan on tracking down a copy for myself.

Very funny, interesting view of the clergy, especially this job list, I wonder what trellis and the vine would think!

"Weddings, funerals, christenings, sunday schools, the organist, the choir, the bell ringers, and, above all, the dreaded sermons!"

One of Roald Dahl's last works, this is a quick humorous story that he wrote to benefit the Dyslexia Institute. It concerns the newly appointed vicar of the village of Nibbleswicke, who develops a strange condition that causes him to pronounce the reverse spelling of the most important word in each sentence.

The result is a few funny jokes before a fairly rushed ending that provides an arbitrary solution to the problem.

The book does make an effort to distinguish the clearly for-laughs condition described within from actual learning disabilities, although readers' opinions of the effectiveness of that may vary.

Considering the short length of the story, I felt that there was a bit too much space between the jokes, and not enough plot developments to make it work, in spite of a few of the gags being genuinely funny.

I really enjoyed this book and it had me laughing out loud! The story follows the newly arrived vicar of Nibbleswicke and reveals that he has an unusual case of dyslexia; he pronounces certain words backwards. In a particularly comical section of the book, the vicar announces to his congregation that he would like them to refrain from parking around the church, however the word 'park' becomes 'krap'. Although I found it extremely funny (maybe due to my 10 year old sense of humour!) I'm not too sure if this would be seen as unsuitable to some parents? The word 'krap' may not be something they necessarily would like to be included in their child's vocabulary! However, in my view it does seem pretty harmless.

Admittedly I was unaware that this book was amongst Roald Dahl's works however I am pleased I came across it. I believe it would be useful to children during Key Stage two as it not only makes them aware of Dyslexia but also the problems some people face with language. Overall, a very enjoyable book with a light sense of humour which is something I particularly love about Roald Dahl's work, and which is why he will remain to be popular among children and adults!

Un racconto breve e divertente su un gioviale parroco e sul suo problema di dislessia retroattiva che lo mette in imbarazzo con i fedeli... Tante gag! Dopo la lettura in Italiano, sicuramente si rende necessario anche quella in lingua originale inglese per cogliere le diverse sfumature dei giochi di parole.

very cute but most importantly very short for the goodreads reading challenge desperate times desperate measures

Este libro me encantaba de pequeña, lo leí un montón de veces. Pero tras tantos años se me había olvidado de qué iba. Me ha sorprendido "la complejidad" tanto de la historia como del vocabulario comparado con los libros actuales para niños de 7 años. Punto a favor para el libro.

As a huge Roald Dahl fan since I was 7 or 8 years old and with a mission to finish reading all his books before I die, I grabbed 3 RD books from the library while I just went to take a print out as it was right next to the printing section :D I started reading it on the train and was so glad I was wearing my mask cause I was laughing out :D The typical Roald Dahl humour and wordplay. LOL. Finished the book within 3 stops as it just has 40 pages in such huge font and Quentin Blake's illustrations all over as always! Loved it. Can't wait to finish all of Roald Dahl's books! I recommend every human to finish reading all of Roald Dahl books in case you didn't as a child.

So cute! Such typical Roald Dahl humor and whimsy.

While the Reverend Lee has beat the dyslexia he had as a child, thanks to the help of the Dyslexia Institute of London, when he takes his first post as Vicar of Nibbleswicke, the stress does something to his brain. He starts to have what the doctor eventually dubs back-to-front dyslexia, meaning Rev. Lee speaks words backwards occasionally without realizing it. Normally this isn't much of a problem and makes him an entertaining speaker for Nibbleswicke, but certain words are a little more scandalous when reversed and the local doctor must help him find a cure.

Roald Dahl wrote this to benefit the Dyslexia Institute, which was a very kind gesture. At it's core it's a very short, rather humorous tale about an eccentric pastor with a peculiar disability. But it gets a little edgy for middle grade in that two of the words Dahl has the pastor reverse are sip and park, and of course every time he says God it comes out as something a bit less holy. I'll let you figure out what all of those turn into. Sip and park reversed particularly are borderline words in certain cultures. Some kids and parents won't have a problem with it, while others will want to avoid this tale. Also, some of the terms are very British, like verger and hassocks. Unless kids are well-familiar with British culture they may need some help with the vocabulary. In all, it'd be good to know the reader you hand this to.

Notes on content: See above on some of the reversed words. No sexual content. No violence.

The Vicar of Nibbleswicke is the story of the Reverend Lee, who has a very unique form of dyslexia which means that he pronounces words backwards. He doesn't realise that this is happening, but thankfully, after a few embarrassing moments with his parishioners, he finds someone who can help him.

A delightful short story in the true spirit of Roald Dahl.