Kiss Kiss (2009) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

The collection includes themes of adultery and sexual repression. While scenes are not graphically depicted, 'Mrs. Bixby and the Colonel's Coat' centers entirely on a long-term extramarital affair, and 'Georgy Porgy' deals with a protagonist's deep-seated trauma and aversion to physical intimacy. The protagonist in the latter story views a woman's romantic advances as a literal threat to consume him, resulting in a disturbing psychological breakdown. In 'The Great Switcheroo', men conspire to swap wives under the…

Violence is often psychological or occurs off-page but is grotesque in nature. Examples include a man being taxidermied while alive, a woman leaving her husband to die in a stuck elevator, and a human being slaughtered in a commercial meat factory. In 'Pig,' the descriptions of the slaughterhouse processes are clinical and unsettling, culminating in the protagonist’s horrific accident. 'The Landlady' uses a quiet, eerie atmosphere to imply the murder and preservation of young men. Even when physical harm isn't…

Mild to moderate profanity appears occasionally, including words like 'damn', 'hell', 'bitch', and 'bastard'. The language is generally sophisticated and British in tone, matching the mid-20th-century setting and the professional status of the characters. Some stories utilize period-typical insults that may feel dated but sharp. The characters often use polite, refined speech to mask their cruel intentions, which is a staple of Dahl's style. While not frequent, the profanity is used effectively to punctuate…

Characters frequently consume alcohol, particularly gin, sherry, and cocktails, reflecting the social norms of the era. Alcohol is often used as a social lubricant or a means of deception, such as the drugged tea in 'The Landlady'. In 'The Champion of the World,' characters use raisins soaked in sleeping pills to poach pheasants on a massive scale. Mention of tobacco use is also prevalent, with characters regularly lighting cigarettes or pipes during conversation. The use of sedative medications, like Seconal, is…

The stories explore dark irony, misogyny, revenge, parental obsession, and the cruelty of fate. Several stories focus on toxic marriages where spouses actively plot against or psychologically torture one another. 'William and Mary' presents a chilling look at control beyond the grave, while 'Genesis and Catastrophe' explores the historical irony of a mother's love for a child who grows up to be a monster. The collection frequently questions the nature of humanity, showing how easily 'civilized' people can descend…