Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 98 votes)
5 stars
30(31%)
4 stars
32(33%)
3 stars
36(37%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
98 reviews
July 14,2025
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Despite Roald Dahl being my favorite author as a child, I never read this book during my childhood. I had a deep love for "The BFG" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", but this one eluded me. I've also never seen the movie adaptation. I suspect that my parents might have kept it from me, perhaps fearing the impact of the revenge fantasy theme on my young mind. *grin* However, I do love the concept of having extra brain power manifesting in secret powers. I already had such a fantasy as a child, so my parents couldn't completely shield me from it.


This audiobook production is truly spectacular. Kate Winslet does an outstanding job with all the characters. It becomes evident quite quickly how much yelling the evil adults do in an attempt to assert their control. The chocolate cake scene in the book is one of the best, and she manages to bring even more life to it.


One aspect that I really appreciate about this book is the portrayal of the librarian at the beginning. She is not a forbidding figure. She is not so strictly adherent to the rules that she is unable to assist a tiny girl. Her willingness to help a child has a profound impact on Matilda's life. Hooray for librarians!
July 14,2025
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I had been approximately around Matilda’s age when I first delved into this book. I was utterly fascinated by her telekinetic powers, her independence, and her unwavering willingness to fight back against the horrible adults in her life. She was the embodiment of everything I had梦寐以求 as a child, and I still hold Matilda dear as a character to this day.



Now, reading it as a 23-year-old, this book appears to be much more of a story about Matilda’s brave and kind school teacher, Miss Honey, rather than just about Matilda herself. Told from the whimsical perspective of a five-year-old girl, we uncover a deep and dark history of familial abuse that I completely overlooked as a young reader. In fact, I even found myself openly weeping at one particular part of the story.



I am truly glad that I revisited this novel. It is every bit as charming as I remember it to be, and I have emerged with a new perspective that makes me appreciate the story even more. The illustrations are also my absolute favorite thing!


(Also, I felt incredibly old when I discovered that Miss Honey and I are the SAME AGE!!! I had always thought this lady was at least 40 my entire life, and it turns out she’s only 23???? I despise this realization.)

July 14,2025
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This might be one of the most perfect books for readers.

It's about a reader, Matilda, who just wants to get her read on, but bad people are trying to stop her.

Instant character attachment! You'll quickly find yourself fully involved in the "tumultuous" plot.

"Let my reader goooo...." sing the readers!

What a wonderful tale! Little Matilda is saddled with a nasty father, a fairly terrible mother, and an indifferent brother. Matilda just wants to read, but her disgusting parents wonder why read when they've got the telly. After being crapped on enough times, Matilda begins taking out her revenge in the whip-smartest ways, and so the fun ensues!

Dahl's style is all over this. His bad guys are awfully bad, really wonderfully rotten. His hero, Matilda, is intelligent and intrepid. Dahl, no doubt using his secret agent background, infuses even the simplest fairytale with spy-craft cunning. The story is episodic, with definitive beginnings and ends, as if he wrote a handful of short stories and plugged them into one book.

Negatives include some unbelievably bad bad guy moments that make us boring adult readers think, "well that could never happen." Also, I don't think this needed the dip into magical fantasy. It was doing fine without it. I liked that Matilda was solving her problems on her own without supernatural assistance.

Lots of adult subject matter is herein, like suicide, which took me aback at first since this is a kid's book. But I guess I'd forgotten that kid's books used to dish out the tough stuff. Now it's all about princesses and rainbow ponies.

I was considering reading this to my niece, who just turned six. I pre-read it to make sure it was suitable. I wasn't worried about the subject matter, but more about the length as she's not into long books yet. However, having read Matilda and knowing how much my niece loves to read, I believe this will soon become a favorite of hers, just like it has for me.
July 14,2025
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Delightfully snarky and fun, this piece has a fair amount of disregard for adults. The line "I'm right and you're wrong, I'm big and you're small, and there's nothing you can do about it" sets the tone. It's truly enjoyable! The sardonic reflections of Roald Dahl on parents, whether they dote over their children or abandon them, are hilarious. For example, "It's a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful."


Matilda is a lovely character. However, having grown up with the movie, I believe the story presented there, including the nasty bits and the conclusion, is a bit stronger. Nevertheless, it's still a well-deserved classic of children's literature and very enjoyable for adults as well!


Dutch Quotes: Jouw mammie is een trut. Je denkt toch niet dat ik de rotzooi eet die ik jullie laat voorzetten. Toen ik je zag wist ik dat je een stuk vuil was.

July 14,2025
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4.5 stars

EXCUSE ME WHILE I SOB

After watching the movie, I must say it was an absolute delight.

I had read the book first and fell in love with it. But when I watched the movie for the first time, it exceeded my expectations.

Some of the differences between the book and the movie were truly hilarious. They added a new layer of entertainment and made the movie even more enjoyable.

Honestly, I think if I had watched the movie first, I might have disliked the book. The movie brought the story to life in a way that the book couldn't quite capture.

The visuals, the acting, and the overall production were top-notch. It was a cinematic experience that left me in awe.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves a good story and great entertainment. It's a must-see!
July 14,2025
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Matilda's childhood is filled with magic, passion, love, friendship, courage, and strength.

Matilda has an intense AMOR for the LIBROS.

I watched the movie countless times as a child and loved it dearly. Then, three years ago, as an adult, I read the book and was equally charmed.

I believe this is not just a book for children but for every person who desires to enjoy a great read.

It transports you to a world where a young girl discovers her extraordinary abilities and uses them to overcome the challenges in her life.

The story is filled with heartwarming moments, unforgettable characters, and a message of hope and empowerment.

Whether you are young or old, Matilda has something to offer. It reminds us of the power of imagination, the importance of standing up for what is right, and the joy that can be found in a good book.

So, pick up a copy of Matilda and let yourself be swept away by its magic.
July 14,2025
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This is truly such a heartwarming story. It is filled with great underlying themes that are beautifully wrapped in amazing storytelling, adventure, and humour.

I absolutely adore the fact that Matilda discovered incredible pleasure in reading. Her relationship with Miss Honey was truly beautiful. I love how she took a genuine interest in Miss Honey's life and grew to care deeply for her. The role that Miss Honey continued to play in Matilda's life was also very special. Alongside the librarian who took Matilda under her wing and constantly supplied her with books, I firmly believe that they both had a major impact on Matilda's life. There is no doubt about it, and I truly love that this is the message that was highlighted. The great impact that a teacher and a librarian can have on a child's life is truly remarkable.

However, it is also important to note the problems that absentee parents can cause, as seen in Miss Honey's childhood.

Overall, this is just a wonderful book that touches the heart and leaves a lasting impression.
July 14,2025
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My first review in 2017!

Matilda, my most beloved character and the reason for my insatiable love for children's classics. I've read it countless times. I've listened to the audio version when I was in the shittiest of moods, and I've adored it every single time, yet I've never been able to come up with a word to say about it.

Well, today I heard it on my way back home, and I thought it was finally time to write a review!

The exceptional Matilda is about a smart, easily infuriated little girl who is misunderstood by her parents and loathed by the school's headmistress. On the other hand, her kind and generous teacher, Miss Honey, thinks she is a brilliant academic genius. Matilda has a number of excellent schemes in her head to teach her nasty parents and headmistress a lesson.

This description might sound a bit like a paper summary, but that's just the way it is. I guess I'm really bad at writing reviews of classics.

Well, the book is definitely one of Roald Dahl's best. It's such a heart-warming tale of a young girl living a tough life and finding a way to break free. Dahl takes a difficult situation and turns it into one of the most enchanting stories ever. I'm quite sure that children living sad lives might feel a little bit more empowered after reading about Matilda. Even otherwise, it's a lovely tale that makes you smile and cheer for Matilda as she triumphs over the evil people around her.
July 14,2025
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Matilda is a childhood favourite of mine. It holds a special place in my heart.

Matilda is not just a book; it's a memory. When I saw it in my school library, it was like seeing an old friend. I couldn't resist rereading it!!

I was browsing through the relatively small section of English books. My eyes were scanning the shelves, looking for something to catch my attention. And then, my eyes landed on a certain row of books. Roald Dahl books. My heart skipped a beat.

My eyes swept over the books, and they zeroed in on one particular book: Matilda. The cover was familiar, yet it felt new.

For me, Matilda was a classroom filled with enthralled children. We were all sitting on the edge of our seats, waiting to hear what was going to happen next. It was a time of laughter and tears. It was the way my teacher lifted her glasses with the tip of her index finger and smiled at us before flipping to the next page.

It is also the way my mom used to read to me. Every night, she would tuck me in and lay down next to me. She'd open up a book, and we'd go on an adventure together. We'd travel to far-off lands, meet strange and wonderful characters, and experience things we never thought possible.

More often than not, I fell asleep after half an hour. But it didn't matter. I fell asleep dreaming of other worlds—of a world where a courageous, intelligent young girl such as Matilda outwitted tyrannical, oppressive figures like Trunchbull.

So when I was looking for a book to read, and my gaze landed on this one, I knew. I knew I had to read it again. And so I did. It was like coming home.
July 14,2025
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5 stars for another Roald Dahl masterpiece!

Roald Dahl has a unique talent for adding a way of life, presented in the form of magic, to his characters. Many people have told me that they read several of his books during their childhood. I suppose I am one of those individuals who missed out on reading his works when I was younger. However, I am truly overjoyed to have discovered him now and to know that my grandchildren are also reading his books.

This story has also been made into a movie, and I am eagerly anticipating seeing it. If you haven't yet experienced the works of this author, I highly recommend reading Roald Dahl. You are sure to enjoy it!

His stories are filled with imagination, adventure, and unforgettable characters that will capture the hearts and minds of readers of all ages. Whether you are a child or an adult, Roald Dahl's books are a must-read. So, pick up one of his books today and embark on a magical journey!
July 14,2025
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This was SO CUTE I’M IN LOVE.

It really had that charm that just melted my heart. The story, the characters, everything was so endearing.

But I think I like the movie better (?). Maybe it's because the movie has a more immersive experience with its visuals and sound. It brings the story to life in a whole different way.

I want to re-watch it soon. I can't wait to relive those moments and fall in love with it all over again.

It's one of those movies that you can watch multiple times and still find something new and wonderful each time.

I'm sure that when I do re-watch it, I'll have an even deeper appreciation for it.

So, I'm looking forward to that day when I can sit down and enjoy this amazing movie once more.

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