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What are readers saying about Matilda?
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-22 12:03:03.
(Language: English)
  
Possibly my favourite of Dahl's children's books, Matilda is best enjoyed if you avoid the movie. On the surface, it does not seem to be as dark as Dahl's previous efforts as it has little of the gore synonymous with Dahl's style, but in Matilda it is much subtler. The implicit abuse suffered by Miss Honey at the hands of the horrific Ms Trunchbull is just as frightening as the plethora of monsters in the BFG or the Witches, but takes on a more psychological role. It may seem silly to review a children's book and talk of psychological fear, but Dahl never really wrote for children. His books can be - and are - enjoyed by all ages, but especially by children because he empowers them and always allows them to emerge triumphant. In short, Matilda is a work of genius - but then we already knew that just by looking at the author's name. 
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-12-17 07:25:13.
(Language: English)
Recently i juz bought tis book. 1st is out of curiosity becoz most ppl seem to enjoy or like Roald Dahl's creations. 2nd the local bookstores celebrate Dahl's books (anniversary of some sort i think).. Hmmm.. its funny that Charlie & the Choco. factory doesn't seem to be my favorite.. i've never read the book but i've seen the movie shown on tv when i were a kid ages ago.. either i'm not able to appreciate yet or maybe becoz i find it lenghty.. Guess after finish reading Matilda i shld get Charlie & the Choco. factory.. to find whether i like it or not in the end.. Haha..
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-06-06 02:25:57.
(Language: English)
This is my favorite Roald Dahl book. Matilda has a pretty yucky home life and school isn't much better for her. She discovers a talent she didn't know she had that turns everything around. Pretty funny and a dose of sweet revenge.
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Jessica posted a review at 2011-03-27 04:11:41.
(Language: English)
Sort of Remember it, quite Liked it
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-11-06 08:53:05.
(Language: English)
This is one of the great books of all time. It is definitely one of the first characters that I saw myself in, and inspired me to keep reading after getting into so much trouble for walking with books, eating with books, and sleeping with books under my pillows. It's also one of the few books that I've given to my daughter, and she's stolen to keep in her room. Come to think of it, I think she kept it from the library and I had to buy another copy! Matilda is an every intellectual. She's one of the easiest smart people to like, and readers are inspired to continue her battle against the real Trunchbulls and bad parents of the world. You can't say that about most of the "classic fiction". The central issue carries easily into real life! Although, I guess that most readers don't suddenly develop powers and take care of the real life antagonist - it's a very tempting fantasy.
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-03-30 12:22:22.
(Language: English)
i love this book its awesome dude while travelling i lost it and i hadn't finish i loved it so i download it from net i pity on those who didnt read this and its of my fav writer roald dahl i love it
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-01 05:56:48.
(Language: English)
This is probably one of my very favorite books, i've read it twice. The book is very well written, it has a lot of good points to it, very few that are bad. I didn't before, but i actually appreciate the fact that matilda's powers disapeared at the end, when she was able to use the most of her thinking abilities in school. It takes away from the aspet that she COULD have been a mary sue (a perfect character, you can look it up), what with the extreme smarts and psychokenetic abilities.
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Erin posted a review at 2009-07-30 10:29:46.
(Language: English)
I read this over and over and over and over again when I was a kid. Matilda is a fascinating and lovable character, and Dahl really makes you love her and want her to succeed and be happy. I thought she was the coolest character ever, and sometimes I would stare at things really hard to see if maybe I could do what she did, haha! Also, Miss Trunchbull was terrifying and thoughts of The Pokey always made me cringe. All in all, this is one of the best children's novels ever written, I think, and if you have not read it you are missing out.
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keania posted a review at 2011-07-12 09:56:10.
(Language: English)
Cool i Like the movie better...sorry
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shannon posted a review at 2012-03-08 03:17:50.
(Language: English)
so good
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Elizabeth posted a review at 2010-06-13 02:05:55.
(Language: English)
Poor Matilda has grown up in a family that scoffs at reading for enjoyment and demands that the family eat their dinner in front of the television every night. Matilda desperately wants to go to school and the public library, but her parents say no. So, Matilda teaches herself to read and by the time she is five and a half years old, she has secretly read all the books in the children's section of the public library! Reading is not Matilda's only amazing skill; she can also do double-digit mathematics problems and make things move with her mind! Matilda is finally allowed to go to school, but quickly learns that the Headmistress, Mrs. Trunchbull, is even more cruel and unfair than her neglectful parents. Matilda's teacher is Mrs. Trunchbull's niece, Miss Honey, and she is lovely and kind. Miss Honey takes a special interest in Matilda and tries to make her parents understand how unique their daughter is. In turn, Matilda wants to help Miss. Honey and make her school a less frightening place. Matilda is a gifted little girl, but can she defeat both Mrs. Trunchbull and her parents?
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A Reader posted a review at 2011-06-20 05:22:32.
(Language: English)
Roald Dahl again feeding my imagination as a child. I loved this book also and took it everywhere with me as well as Danny the champion of the world. I longed to be as independent as she was, but it made me look at my parents in appreciation for all they did for me. I laughed with this book, felt sad with this book and I feared for my life from any mention of the chokey. And even now it makes me feel that same twinge in my stomach. A great read for kids and adults just like all Roald Dahl books. I recommend this to anyone.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-10-19 10:59:58.
(Language: English)
Most children will love the Roald Dahl books. They are very imaginative and wacky, magical things happen. The characters are unique and larger than life. They have weird, wonderful adventures. Matilda is one of my favourite Roald dahl books. Matilda is a smart, book -loving little girl who lives in a book -hating, Tv loving household. She teaches herself to read and can't wait to go to school. She gets a sweet kind teacher, Miss Honey, but the principal Miss Trunchbull is the exact opposite. She treats the children like little prisoners and won't allow any laughter or fun in class so Miss Honey must do things her way behind the principal's back. Miss Trunchbull is very mean to some of the students, punishing them for no reason, but Matilda is very brave and stands up to her. This book shows children that it's important to stand up for what is right.
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kathy posted a review at 2012-04-21 09:13:57.
(Language: English)
my daughter loves this
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Tripti posted a review at 2010-05-25 11:02:03.
(Language: English)
A lovely tale about a genius child. I liked the way the author draws our attention to superficiality of human nature while highlighting the importance of education. The magical treatment of the book makes it a easy and enjoyable read. The book is full of one-liners which have deep philosophy behind it, like most books of Roald Dahl
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Adriana posted a review at 2011-12-27 12:24:28.
(Language: English)
Amazing!
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-11-02 01:25:13.
(Language: English)
Matilda is most definitely a Dickensian heroine, with that only exception that she isn't an orphan. Her parents are so horrible though that we will leave her the benefit of being worse than “orphanedâ€. Her parents aren't the only horrible characters of this sad, sad story. The Headmistress of the school Matilda attends is quite a nasty woman whose “idea of a perfect school is one that has no children in it at all.†The only grown-up to save the face of “adulthood†is the well named Miss Honey, Matilda's teacher. The only adult who takes her many talents seriously. One day Matilda finds out she has developed a rare talent indeed. She can move objects without touching them. This enables her to avenge Miss Honey. The young teacher has been the victim of her cruel aunt, who also happens to be the terrible Headmistress Trunchbull. Thanks to Matilda the school gets rid of the threatening Miss Trunchbull and Miss Honey gets her inheritance back. That same day, Matilda's parents leave England in a hurry for Spain, where they hope to hide their corrupt deeds. Fortunately, Miss Honey is happy to “adopt†Matilda who doesn't wish to leave her school. And all's well that ends well.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-23 09:57:40.
(Language: English)
A childhood favourite. I read this many times growing up, Matilda reflected my own sense of not belonging and helped me to find solace in the thought that there were others like me who loved books, who didn't fit in with their families, and who wanted to be able to make a difference. Matilda's powers were a sort of vicarious wish-fulfillment for me. This book had a great effect on me, and I look forward to introducing other young people to it.
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Allison posted a review at 2012-03-20 02:35:15.
(Language: English)
My daughter and I loved this book! we have the movie also.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-12-08 04:37:13.
(Language: English)
Beautifully written piece. Matilda, being born genius, was neglected and not understood by her parents. With her extraordinary will power, which is not used in her studies because of their parents negligence, matilda starts moving things with her eyes. Her teacher understands matlida power of mind and diverts her into higher educational activities. Dahl description of events in School and home are marvelous, funny, and enticing. You never feed bored reading dahl who i considered as narual born writer.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-04-29 11:09:03.
(Language: English)
i loved reading this book. Roald Dahl is a genius and natural storyteller. the illustratons really complemented the story. i usually try to read books before watching the movie as i find if i do it the other way round i end up wanting to watch the movie this happened when i was reading stardust (luckly i didnt have stardust the movie at the time of reading the book). Matilda is the second book ive read after watching the movie (the other book was Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist) this proves wjhat a great storyteller roald dalh is. this is another book that i can not praise enough
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Emily posted a review at 2007-10-28 10:09:08.
(Language: English)
This is one of Dahl's finest, a strong, hilarious, and touching story that hits the spot of all kids who cannot stand their obnoxious parents. I understand that lots of adults hate the anti-adult attitude, but that is what makes this book so appealing. This is about a young child who is capable of caring for herself. However, Matilda is slightly different from the other kids. Not only is she a genius, but she has telekinetic powers. If she wasn't causing enough trouble before learning about this gift, she certainly does afterwards. But it's always for the good of herself and fellow children as she punishes her parents and evil headmistress alike as a champion for kiddy heroics.
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Janet posted a review at 2011-11-08 05:33:59.
(Language: English)
I read this as a child and loved it. I look forward to reading it to my kids, when I have them
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-08-17 02:07:56.
(Language: English)
Great kids book! A slighted daughter of a mother who pretty much believe ignorance is bliss and a dishonest, hypocritical father (who's also a used car salesman) who totally fail to recoginize that their daughter Matilda is extremely intelligent, practially a prodigy. Matilda finally goes to school after reading half the public library expecting to have the time of her life. In reality the building looks like a prison and is run by the tyrannical Mrs. Trunchbull. Her teacher the kind and soft-spoken Mrs. Honey, tries to help, but she has a secret. But so does Mrs. Trunchbull, Matilda uses her special power to save Mrs. Honey, teach her parents a few lesson, and write her own story!
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-10-16 08:24:41.
(Language: English)
Roald Dahl was my favourite author when I was younger, and 'Matilda' has always been my favourite of his books, and is probably the first book of his that I return to when I re-read all the Dahl books I own. I think my preference for this book is centred in the charm of Matilda herself. In some of Dahl's books (but by no means all of them) some of the central child characters can be very irritating because of their 'goodness' - Charlie is one that springs to mind. In this instance, the entertainment of Dahl's books hinge on the appeal of either the moral ambiguity of the lead adult (Wonka) or the gruelling deaths of the naughty kids. However, 'Matilda' is an instantly likeable character, probably because she isn't afraid to take a bit of revenge on the adults who deny her love for reading. I also think the structure of the book is vintage Dahl, for instance, Dahl's notoriously highly strung conservatism does not allow for the corrupt adults or children in his stories a chance of redemption, once judged evil, they are punished via either slapstick humour, or in the case of Miss Trunchbull, acute mental torture. Dahl's enduring reputation will always be both ascertained and tainted because of this approach, the question of whether it is right to convey the message to children that wrong actions warrant punishment without rehabilitation is one that has always dogged Dahl's work and is a question that seems equally apt in modern society. However, that should not detract from what is essentially a heart-warming, fun and lively children's book.
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