The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl

Dr. Strange at the Casino.

We are wrapping up this Roald Dahl short story weekend with The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, which veers pretty close to novella territory. It’s consists of two parts that kicks off with a sharp introduction to our main character, Henry Sugar, a man who seemingly has everything money can buy. He is a bachelor, drifting through life with the motto: "It is better to incur a mild rebuke than to perform an onerous task." In other words, he's so rich and has never lifted a finger in his entre life. 

Henry is the epitome of old money: wealthy, self-centered, and obsessed with growing his fortune simply because he can. Dahl doesn’t mince words here, offering a cheeky but cutting critique of the ultra-rich: “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.” It's a zinger that sets the tone for some of the bigger themes throughout the story such as capitalism, class inequality, and the hollowness of wealth without purpose.

At a party hosted by one of his rich friends, Henry grows bored and wanders into the expansive library. There, tucked away on a shelf, he finds a slim, curious volume titled “A Report on an Interview with Imhrat Khan, the Man Who Could See Without His Eyes,” written by a Dr. John F. Cartwright. Cue the Inception-style layers of storytelling: it's a story within a story within a story.

This inner tale follows Imhrat Khan, a yogi from India who has trained himself to harness incredible mental powers. It’s here that the story starts to shimmer with fairy-tale qualities: mystical abilities, exotic locales, and the promise of transformation through discipline and self-mastery. Think of it as a blend of spiritual fable and magical realism, all tied together by Dahl’s signature dry wit.

Inspired by this newfound knowledge, Henry decides to try learning the technique for himself. Yet, this is not out of spiritual curiosity, but because he sees its potential as a shortcut to gambling riches. This is where the fairy-tale magic really kicks in and his journey doesn't unfold the way he expects. Like all the best fables, there's a moral lesson: the more he trains, the more his priorities begin to shift. He starts to view capitalism and his role in it very differently. It's a compelling moral transformation wrapped in a cloak of mystical spectacle.

Ultimately, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar is more concerned with what we choose to do with the knowledge, skills, gifts and tools we gain. It's about how even the most unlikely people can change for the better and how sometimes the greatest riches aren’t found in accumulating a vast amount of wealth, but in helping those less fortunate. I haven’t watched the Wes Anderson adaptation yet and Benedict Cumberbatch in the leading role seems like perfect casting. I can already picture it: symmetrical and pastel colored sets pieces, whimsical narration, and that distinct Anderson quirky flair should be a perfect match for the layered storytelling and magical oddity of the original source material.