Anthony Horowitz has said it is better for children to read “offensive” books than none at all, adding that Roald Dahl’s publishers had “shot themselves in the foot” with updates to his books.
The Jewish author said he was opposed to “tampering with the work of dead writers” who could not defend themselves.
“It seems to me that you should take the work, judge it and be aware of why we no longer share these opinions, or this view of the world. Rather than censor, cut and take out stuff.”
Horowitz, one of the country’s most popular novelists, said it was important that children read something, even if some material might be offensive to readers, since 25 per cent of schools in Britain do not have a library.
