Eleanor Cameron vs. Roald Dahl

In an article that began in October 1972 and continued in our next two issues, Eleanor Cameron criticized the theories of Marshall McLuhan, whose writings on media were much debated at the time, and decried what she saw as their expression in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Mr. McLuhan never responded, but Mr. Dahl fired back. So did many of our subscribers. Paul Heins, then editor, periodically refereed.

McLuhan, Youth, and Literature, Part I (October 1972)
Cameron takes on Marshall McLuhan and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

McLuhan, Youth, and Literature, Part II (December 1972)
Charlie suffers in comparison to the equally popular Charlotte’s Web before Cameron broadens her essay to consider recent young adult fiction.

McLuhan, Youth, and Literature, Part III (February 1973)
More on young adult fiction and a concluding thrust at Mr. McLuhan.

In Protest (February 1973)
Editorial by Paul Heins describes an anonymous response to Part I of Cameron’s article.

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory: A Reply (February 1973)
Roald Dahl responds to Ms. Cameron.

Letters to editor (February 1973)

At Critical Cross-Purposes (April 1973)
Editorial by Paul Heins considers the roots of the controversy.

A Reply to Roald Dahl by Eleanor Cameron (April 1973)

Letters to the editor (April 1973)

Letters to the editor (June 1973)

Letters to the editor (August 1973)

Letters to the editor (October 1973)