How I wish I had read it in my childhood!

Matilda is about perseverance and self-defense against bullies, regardless of who the bully is. This trait is lost and even condemned in our Iranian culture and education, and has given way to sacrificing oneself and one's interests for the sake of others' interests (usually those of the "sacred" others!).

Read it and give it as a gift to the children around you. With the hope of a braver and more independent generation!

Review to come, of course.

This is Roald Dahl at nearly his best. I'm reading it too slowly for my taste but sometimes life gets in the way. I thought his best book is Going Solo actually. But Matilda is quite original. It's like the movie Home Alone, only the parents are the villains. It's a bit of an exaggeration, but I just threw it there.

Okay, done.

This was such a fun read, drenched with magical writing, and emanating the familiar bouquet of bittersweet nostalgia feeling that I am wont to experience with my favourite Roald Dahl books. It reminded me of the absolute mastery of the author in couching the absolute horrors of human nature within staples of children literature, such as growth, triumphing over personal fears, standing up against unfairness, camaraderie, using ingenuity against adversity and so on. As a child, I did not grasp the depth of scars that could be sustained when visited with the tragedies mentioned in here. But ironically, as an adult I found them to be crippling in the extreme.

Most of the darkness in this book is conveyed through Ms. Honey's past. Her loss, the sense of being trapped, and then abused, bullied, almost all of these originating from the bovine Trunchbull. I mean between her and the Wormwoods, it sometimes seems as if they are neck in neck in the running for the Nobel Prize for douchebaggery. But the truth is that the Trunchbull is operating on a whole other level. The Phelps (not the kindly librarian in the book, but the all-conquering, Olympic swimmer) of the competition, if you will.

Though I seem to make the book sound like a foray into the wintry-gray ambience of a Russian novel, it really isn't remotely as bleak. Roald Dahl very deftly veils most of the ugliness from us, softening most of its impact. Matilda's pranks against the escalating shenanigans of her horrid, anti-intellectual parents are hilarious. I also liked the description of Matilda settling in, cosy as can be with hot chocolate to engage in some bookworming (Though with a touch of envy I must say. The delights of hot chocolate are quite lost to me as I live in a fairly warm, sometimes boiling part of the island I'm from). And I never thought I would cheer for an obese boy to go through such an unhealthy amount of chocolate cake. By the time he was done, he was my hero.

Schadenfreude doesn't cover what I felt when the comeuppance comeuppanced (or should that be cameuppance?). It was a vicariously cathartic experience to realise all would be well again. If it hadn't, this would not be a children's book. But it is. And I'm grateful for that.

Overall, Matilda is a wonderful book that combines the charm and magic of childhood with the harsh realities of life. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, and it makes you think. It's a book that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike, and it's a testament to Roald Dahl's genius as a writer. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.

Reto de la Mansión Encantada. Séptimo libro.

This seventh book of "Reto de la Mansión Encantada" is simply wonderful. It takes readers on an enchanting journey filled with mystery, magic, and excitement. The story unfolds in a captivating way, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and engaging, making you feel as if you are right there with them in the mansion. The author's vivid descriptions bring the setting to life, allowing you to imagine every detail. Whether you are a fan of the series or new to it, this book is sure to delight. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good adventure story.❤❤

Libros, poderes mentales e ilustraciones hermosas. Estos son los elementos que encontrarás en la famosa historia de Matilda. Y si eres un fan apasionado de la película, el libro seguramente te fascinará y te hará echarle porras a Bruce. Es una obra maestra en forma de libro que se te terminará en menos de lo que dices "ª".

Ver a alguien más enamorándose de los libros me trajo recuerdos maravillosos. Me hizo recordar mis propias aventuras literarias y los momentos en que me sumergí en mundos fantásticos a través de las páginas de un libro.

Próximamente, tendré una reseña en el blog ❤️ donde exploraré más a fondo esta maravillosa historia y compartiré mis impresiones con ustedes. Así que no se olviden de visitarlo y unirse a mí en esta travesía literaria.

It has been so beautiful to recall this story.

The movie is one of those classics, the kind that you watch until you know the dialogues by heart, and seeing everything reflected in its book is a great experience.

Matilda is magic. Don't miss it.

Soon to be reviewed on https://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com.

This story of Matilda is truly enchanting. The movie has a special charm that keeps drawing viewers in. The detailed portrayal in the book further enhances the overall experience. It's like being transported into a world of wonder and magic.

Matilda herself is a remarkable character, full of wisdom and courage. Her adventures and her ability to overcome obstacles make for a truly inspiring tale.

Whether you're a fan of the movie or the book, or both, you're sure to be captivated by this wonderful story.

So, don't hesitate to check it out and discover the magic of Matilda for yourself.

And stay tuned for the upcoming review on the mentioned blog.

Matilda is indeed one of my all-time favorite books by Roald Dahl.

After delving into his collection of stories in "Boy: Tales of Childhood," which is his autobiography, it becomes evident that many of the situations presented in Matilda draw inspiration from his own experiences in school.

What I truly love about Matilda is her remarkable power to bring justice to her rather unjust world. In a society where she often faces unfair treatment and neglect, she uses her intelligence and determination to stand up for what is right.

I sincerely hope that we are all as fortunate as Matilda to have the courage and ability to make a positive difference in our own lives and the lives of those around us.

This book has not only entertained me but also inspired me to believe that no matter how small or powerless we may seem, we all have the potential to bring about change and make the world a better place.

I will always cherish this wonderful book and the valuable lessons it has taught me.

What's not to love about Matilda? She is a child genius with an insatiable love for reading and learning. However, she has to endure terrible (verbally abusive) parents and an extremely abusive Headmistress.

At first glance, it might seem like the story is going to be dismal, and indeed it is quite sad. I really, really felt sorry for little Matilda. But what sets her apart is her amazing attitude and outlook on life. Despite all the hardships she faces, she remains positive and never gives up.

And just like in all Dahl books, the nasty characters eventually get their just deserts. This book is truly a gem. I love, love, love it even more than I remembered. It's a story that will touch your heart and leave you feeling inspired.

What a truly lovely story this was! "Matilda" by Roland Dahl was the very first book I had ever heard all the way through by audiobook.

My brother Clay, who is completely obsessed with the study of birds, carefully laid the book beside him just to get a good listen to the story. Meanwhile, my sister, who was tending to my mom's coffee and taking care of me while I was very sick, had to stop by the living room a few times this morning to also get a good listen to what was happening in the story. I was truly thrilled that my siblings were into this story as much as I was.

Of course, if you asked them what they thought of the book, they would simply respond with an "it was okay" answer. However, the expressions on their faces were truly priceless. It was not an "okay" look; it was a "this book is incredible" look.

Matilda Wormwood was a five and a half-year-old girl who lived with uncaring, inconsiderate, and selfish parents. Her father was a crook who cheated people whenever they were buying his cars. Mr. Wormwood was a nasty, beastly man, and his wife was no better. Mrs. Wormwood often left Matilda alone so she could go play bingo in the village. As a result, Matilda had to feed and take care of herself at the age of three. Every day after her mother left for bingo, Matilda would walk down a busy highway to the library, where she would devour book after book.

At five and a half, Matilda ventured to school and met her best friend Lavender, her teacher Ms. Honey, and her wicked headmistress Ms. Trunchbull. *Spoiler: Ms. Trunchbull was actually Ms. Honey's aunt, so they were related, but that detail did not matter in the book until almost the end.* Ms. Trunchbull was a very strong and athletic person who really enjoyed beating up on the poor children of Ms. Honey's classroom. They were called names, thrown out the windows of the building, hung by their ears and hair. Oh, the poor children in Ms. Trunchbull's hands! All the children ever feared most of all was that strapping, strong, mean headmistress who would often verbally and physically abuse them.

Matilda grew to love her new teacher but despised her headmistress. This little girl had so much anger built up inside of her that it was incredible. She developed powers because of all the electricity building up inside of her and began to notice this during one of her lessons with Ms. Trunchbull. Matilda found herself staring at a glass of water and demanding it to tip over, and it did. Matilda practiced and practiced her new power, and the only one she ever told about it was Ms. Honey, who had a taste of what Matilda was capable of.

That's all the summary I want to go into because if you have not read the book, then I am not going to ruin more for you. Let's just say *Spoiler...... Ms. Trunchbull was run out of town thanks to Matilda, and everything was like new after Ms. Honey adopted her.* Wait, okay, I did ruin more of the book for you, but I did not tell you about the newt or why Ms. Honey takes in the little girl, so it is still worth a read.

I sadly cannot rate this book with five stars. What I noticed with it was that her life at home was what made the story fun. The whole Wormwood family was what made the story fun, and whenever the author cut them out just so Matilda could go to school, well, it was kind of disappointing. Did I forget to mention that Matilda was a genius? Well, she was, and her little mind held thousands of facts about books and mathematics problems.

Matilda is a four-star rating, which is still perfect, and it is a recommended book. However, the violence is kind of severe, so most definitely not a kindergarten - fourth grade age appropriate. I did not approve of Ms. Trunchbull and her way of treating children, and I also do not understand why parents did not complain. Yes, they were scared of her, but why did they not just pull their children out of school and stick them in a new one with a fresh start?

My Rating
4/5

Matilda felt like a self-wish story not only for a genius child, but for every child whose life was saved by books.

What was so ingenious about the book was how the world inside it not only appealed to kids, but it was precisely the way the world appeared from within a child's eyes. The exaggeration, the light, almost comical tone, the bleak, abusive childhood it described, the cartoonish nature of the events in the school, Matilda's superpower, the helplessness of adults, the resolution, the self-indulgence of the happy ending, and especially the illustrations.

It was a dream book where children could envision themselves as heroes and heroines who battled evil monsters and saved the day. If there was ever a book with the magical essence of pure quality, the kind that only a child could truly feel, touch, and savor, Matilda was indeed it.

It captured the essence of childhood imagination and the power of books to transform a child's world.

Some days it seems like hardly any of my childhood dreams came true.

I had always dreamed of growing up to have Lynda Carter's cleavage. Her beauty and charm were truly captivating, and I longed to possess that same allure.

I also dreamed of being a sassy black woman with an afro, just like my childhood idol, Willona Woods from Good Times. She was so confident and full of life, and I wanted to be just like her.

And let's not forget my wildest dreams of learning to fly or moving objects around with my eyes. I would imagine myself soaring through the sky or using my powers to right wrongs and make the world a better place.

But, somehow, Roald Dahl knew about these childhood dreams. He understood that kids have these fantastical aspirations, whether it's a magical bustline, rare hair, or powerful eyes that can make evildoers pay.

It's this ability to tap into the imagination of children, combined with his fantastic writing and humor, that makes his books so special.

A third read of Matilda this week did not disappoint. Roald Dahl always manages to capture the essence of childhood and make it come alive on the page. His stories never get old for me, and I continue to be inspired by his creativity and talent.

I didn't grow up with English speaking children authors. In fact, the only one I read during my childhood was Enid Blyton. Her Famous Five series seemed to be everywhere. However, because of this, I missed out on so much. I never got to experience the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss or the magical stories of Roald Dahl.

When I was a kid, I watched a movie related to one of these authors, but I never actually read any of their books. It wasn't until recently that I finally picked up one of their works. And let me tell you, I'm so glad I did!

The author I chose was truly GOOD!!! The storytelling was fantastic. It was a bit darker than I expected, but that only added to its allure and made it even more captivating for younger readers. The way the story unfolded kept me on the edge of my seat.

And I have to give a special mention to Kate Winslet, who is narrating the audiobook. She did an amazing job! It's one of the BEST audiobooks I've ever listened to. She really used her acting chops to bring the characters to life. Her voices were so distinct and生动 that I was completely blown away. It's a perfect audiobook for young readers, as it adds an extra layer of magic to the story.

Jess, my 7-year-old little girl, gave this 5 stars.

SPOILERS!

Here are her comments while reading:

"Matilda's parents are sooo stupid!" She couldn't believe how silly they were.

"What is a 'used car salesman'?" She was curious about this occupation.

"How does putting sawdust and oil in a car's gearbox make it run smoother?" This was a mystery to her.

"The funniest parts are when Miss Trunchbull hurled the kids out of the classroom, and when the newt fell on her." She laughed out loud at these scenes.

"How come Miss Trunchbull made Nigel stand with one leg up while facing the wall? That's a weird punishment." She thought it was a strange way to discipline.

"What?! Miss Honey's wicked aunt is Miss Trunchbull?" This revelation surprised her.

"What is a will?" She wanted to know more about this legal document.

"I'm glad that Matilda can live with Miss Honey." She was happy for Matilda's new living situation.