Wonderful classic children’s book!

This was still as fun and magical reading it as an adult as it was reading it as a child. The story of Matilda is truly enchanting. It takes us into a world where a young girl with extraordinary intelligence and a love for books discovers her own power. Matilda’s adventures are filled with excitement, humor, and heartwarming moments.

Roald Dahl’s writing is simply brilliant. He creates vivid characters that come to life on the page. Matilda, with her determination and courage, is a character that children and adults alike can look up to. The book also explores important themes such as the importance of education, the power of imagination, and the value of standing up for oneself.

All children should have a copy of Matilda on their shelves. It is a book that will inspire them, make them laugh, and teach them valuable lessons. It is a timeless classic that will be loved for generations to come.

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Roald Dahl is truly a master storyteller, and his 1988 work, Matilda, earns him a well-deserved 4+ out of 5 stars. For some reason, I had the impression that this book was published before 1988. However, I clearly remember reading it when I was 13, so it must have been right around that time. I thought it was simply great back then. Years later, looking back and seeing all the films and cartoons that have been made based on it, I find myself loving it even more. While Matilda is a wonderful role model in many aspects for young kids, she can be a bit too spunky at times, which might give some the wrong impressions. Nevertheless, with the right guidance, she can definitely be someone to look up to.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the best parents, family, teachers, and friends. But when you don't, you better be a smart girl like Matilda to be able to make it on your own. And that's exactly what she is - brilliant, funny, witty, sarcastic, and friendly - all wrapped up in one adorable young girl. She has several adventures, tries to make things happen, and shows the world who she is. And that's all we can ask for! It's a great book with a great story, offering lots to see and learn. I will definitely re-read it some day!

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For those who are new to me or my reviews, here's the lowdown: I read an enormous amount. I also write a great deal. And now, I blog extensively as well. First, the book review goes up on Goodreads, and then I send it over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com. There, you'll not only find book reviews but also TV and film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge, and plenty of blogging about the places I've visited all over the world. You can also find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and see my pictures. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.

Delma wants to walk in the alley, buy a couple of jeans, and from now on, give a gift to every little one she sees on the way. How magical, profound, and at the same time simple this book was. I fell in love with Roald Dahl.

This description paints a vivid picture of Delma's intentions and her connection with the book. The act of walking in the alley and buying jeans gives a sense of normalcy to her routine. However, the idea of giving gifts to the little ones she encounters adds a touch of kindness and warmth to her actions.

The mention of the book being magical, profound, and simple alludes to its ability to touch the reader's heart on multiple levels. It may have had a profound impact on Delma, leading her to fall in love with the author, Roald Dahl.

Overall, this expanded version provides more details and context, enhancing the reader's understanding of Delma's experiences and emotions.

Oh Roald Dahl, you have truly made my life complete.

Matilda is one of those special books for me. It sits on my bookshelf, looking tattered and worn, with pages falling out. But no matter what the occasion, I will always return to it.

Dear, darling Miss Honey, Matilda's first grade teacher, is every child's dream. And now that I'm older, I realize she's every adult's dream too. Miss Honey lives in a humble two-room cottage with no running water, just a camp stove and wooden boxes for seats. She even has to eat margarine instead of butter!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all be so jolly under such circumstances and still have the courage to stand up to the "man"? In this case, the "man" is the truly evil Miss Trunchbull, the headmistress and incidentally, Miss Honey's aunt.

I used to dream of being so incredibly smart that I could lift cigars with my mind, just like Matilda. But now, as I've grown up, my dream has changed. I now dream of being able to have a positive influence on just one little girl's life, to make it better in some small way.

Thank you, Mr. Dahl, for creating such a magical world and for inspiring me with your wonderful stories.

I've read a plethora of Roald Dahl's books, likely the majority of them. I cherish the warm memories of reading some of them to my young children at bedtime.

However, for some reason, I never got around to reading this particular one. While I have held all of Roald Dahl's books in high regard, this one has emerged as perhaps my absolute favorite of them all.

Several years ago, I did watch the movie Matilda, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I vividly remember Danny DeVito's portrayal of Matilda's father and his hilarious line ("Moby what?!").

I read this book in Spanish, and it was truly fantastic. It allowed me to experience the story in a whole new light, with the language adding an extra layer of charm and authenticity.

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September 30, 2024: 2nd reading. I'm looking forward to delving back into this wonderful world and rediscovering all the magic and wonder that Matilda has to offer.

Matilda had a profound impact on my childhood in numerous ways.

Every time I reread or revisit the story of Matilda and Miss Honey, it brings a warm feeling to my heart.

The adventures and the special bond between Matilda and her kind teacher, Miss Honey, are truly enchanting.

Matilda's extraordinary intelligence and her courage to stand up against the unfair treatment she faced at home and in school are inspiring.

Miss Honey, on the other hand, is a gentle and caring figure who recognizes Matilda's potential and helps her to shine.

The story is not only about magic and wonder but also about the power of love, friendship, and believing in oneself.

It has left a lasting impression on me and continues to be a source of joy and inspiration whenever I think of it.

I am truly grateful for having discovered this wonderful story during my childhood.

For God's sake leave Roald Dahl alone! Sometimes, especially in FICTION, people are fat or bald or ugly. And if you, the adult, cannot handle it, believe me, your child will not be the one who's offended. Please feel free to read something else. Rant over.

Dear Matilda, how I'd love to skim your Goodreads profile. Your 'read' list would put mine to shame and I would be absolutely, one hundred percent okay with that. I do have to tell you that you aren't the first person who comes to mind when I hear the name Matilda. This leads me to wonder if you've ever read Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. You must have, surely. Your parents would be pleased to hear they made a fabulous television adaptation of Cranford. Though I doubt they're the kind of people who can appreciate the talents of Judi Dench as Miss Matty Jenkyns. By the way, what did you make of Brighton Rock at the age of four? I read it aged twenty-three and loved it. It's a captivating and dark story that really stayed with me. I can only imagine what a young Matilda might have thought of it. Maybe you had some unique insights that I could never have at that age.

I am reading again for the children (six-year-old and eight-year-old), and the feedback I get from them is very good. I describe many stories for them. But this is the first time that they listen with such enthusiasm and interest, laugh, accompany, imagine, and sometimes even act out the events of the story.

Along with this book, I also bought the tall socks for them. But we haven't gone there yet. Whenever we read that too, I will write down their feedback.

It's really a wonderful experience to share stories with these lovely children. Their reactions and responses make me feel that my efforts are worthwhile. I look forward to more such moments and to seeing how they grow and develop through the power of stories.

Maybe in the future, we can explore more interesting books and have more fun together. Who knows what adventures and discoveries await us?

Matilda is a remarkable book that has captured the hearts of many readers. The story follows the adventures of a young girl who is both intelligent and resourceful.

The heroine, Matilda, is a mentally giant child who loves books and has a thirst for knowledge. Despite being small in stature, she is no pawn and uses her brains to outwit those who try to hold her back.

The book also features kinetic looks, with vivid descriptions of the characters and their surroundings. The illustrations add to the charm of the story, bringing the characters to life in a visually appealing way.

One of the themes explored in Matilda is the importance of being self-reliant. Matilda learns to take care of herself and stand up for what she believes in, even when faced with difficult circumstances.

Another theme is the idea of brains over brawn. Matilda's intelligence and creativity are what allow her to succeed, rather than relying on physical strength or aggression.

Overall, Matilda is a wonderful book that combines humor, adventure, and valuable life lessons. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story and wants to be inspired by a strong and independent heroine.

(A-) 82% | Very Good
Notes: On loving books, kinetic looks, being self-reliant, brains-over-brawn, small but no pawn, its heroine's mentally giant.

This is my third book by Roald Dahl (1916 - 1990). I initially had no plan to read this as I had already read his more renowned (earlier) works, namely Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) and his boyhood memoir, Boy: Tales of Childhood (1984), both of which are included in the 501 Must Read Books that I am attempting to read completely. However, the Filipinos group here in Goodreads selected this book as its bestseller read for September 2011. So, I had to purchase and read it too.

The main protagonist of this book, Matilda, is a precocious, intelligent, and telekinetic 4-year-old book lover. She plays tricks on her father, like putting super glue on the inside lining of his hat, which forces her mother to cut the hat and the father's hair so he can sleep properly. While some women might find this funny for whatever odd reason, for a father like me, it is definitely not. No one is perfect, including fathers. Even if Matilda's father is mean, obnoxious, shouts at her, refuses to buy her books, and asks her to watch television instead, he is the one providing food for the family. Matilda should respect her parents. This also applies to her mother, who, although insensitive and leaves Matilda alone at home every afternoon to play bingo, at least does not physically harm or starve her. Therefore, Matilda has no right to disrespect her parents, such as scaring them by hiding a parrot up the chimney, even if the parrot is as endearing as the one in the book. I understand that this book is intended for children, and most of my GR friends say they read and liked it when they were young (it was published in 1988). So, perhaps my griping or nitpicking is misdirected as I am now an adult. But still, I would not recommend this book to my teen daughter or my very young nieces as I don't view Matilda as a good role model for them. I would suggest Dorothy in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz or maybe even Pippi Longstocking, but definitely not Matilda.

Another reason I find this book inferior to Dahl's other works like Charlie and Boy is the one-dimensional character of the antagonist, the headmistress Miss Trunchbull. Why did she become so nasty? I know that the headmistress is not the highest official in a British school, so what do the other school authorities think about her behavior towards the students? Granted that Miss Honey is afraid of her, but considering that the other children are not afraid to talk, aren't they saying anything to their parents who could then contact the other school authorities or even the police?

However, I cannot completely dislike this novel. Any booklover main character is hard for me not to love. Dahl's children's books are mostly based on real people and experiences he had as a young boy, as stated in his memoir Boy: Tales of Childhood. For example, the character of Miss Trunchbull is said to be based on an actual nasty teacher he had in a British school, or the contest entries to the chocolate factory in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory were based on real-life chocolate recipe contests sponsored by Cadbury during his childhood in England. Also, the relationship between Matilda and Miss Honey was probably inspired by the homesickness Dahl felt at British school when he was away from his mom. Aww, what a sweet boy.

This book is not really bad. I just think that Charlie and Boy are better written, more honest, and more inspiring.

My mother went out with my aunt to take care of some matters, and I found myself babysitting my aunt's four children.

We watched this film which was adapted from a book.

I really listened carefully while watching it for an hour and a half with them.

How her words impressed me when she said:

"I am no longer gentle and weak.

I have become strong."

And that teacher, Heidi, what a wonderful character she is.

How we need someone who believes in our abilities and encourages us.

And that friendship between them.

She kept reading and this was the result of her genius.
She used to enjoy something that she didn't understand.
But wouldn't reading be enough forever?
Well! How many times have we heard this empty, strange sentence? Dozens? Hundreds of times?

She would be really lucky if she didn't hear it daily from her parents...
Like Matilda, a fifth grader
Who traveled to Africa with Hemanjway
Sailed on the old wooden ships of Joseph Conrad
And spoke to India with Rudyard Kipling
All this while she was in her room in that British village

She lives under the shadow of a father who thinks he is a gift to humanity
And a mother who has a "nightmarish" stupidity
And the tragedy is completed with a school principal with clear and terrifying criminal outbursts for everyone to see

If you are a genius, your fate will be multiplied or even magnified by a very fine microscope... and Matilda was smarter than anyone you would meet... the kind that appears every century in time... so beware of her revenge even if she was a short girl with a dimple on her forehead...
For the reader is not defeated