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ricksilva's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Child genius Matilda figures out how to take revenge on her callous and incompetent parents through a series of pranks. Eventually, she finds herself attending a school ruled by the iron fist of Olympic-hammer-thrower-turned-headmistress Miss Trunchbull.
But when she discovers that the powers of her mind have continued to grow, Matilda makes a plan to save her beloved teacher from the headmistress' abuse.
This story worked best in its serious moments, with the best characters being the figures who showed kindness toward Matilda, especially classroom teacher Miss Honey. The author uses the book to convey his love of literary classics through they eyes of Matilda, always hungry for beautiful words and stories. The conversation between Matilda and Miss Honey where Miss Honey's abusive childhood comes up is handled gently but with powerful emotion.
When the book tries to be silly, it does not do as well, although the lighter bits are definitely needed for the overall balance of tone. Unfortunately, the various pranks played by Matilda and others are neither imaginative nor funny, and the over-the-top cartoonish violence of Miss Trunchbull is always just on the line between ridiculous and uncomfortable.
Some of the plot twists are very abrupt, and while I appreciate the effort of getting a surprisingly complex plot into such a short book, the effect in a bit jarring, and the book seems to be having a lot of trouble figuring out what it wants to be.
But when she discovers that the powers of her mind have continued to grow, Matilda makes a plan to save her beloved teacher from the headmistress' abuse.
This story worked best in its serious moments, with the best characters being the figures who showed kindness toward Matilda, especially classroom teacher Miss Honey. The author uses the book to convey his love of literary classics through they eyes of Matilda, always hungry for beautiful words and stories. The conversation between Matilda and Miss Honey where Miss Honey's abusive childhood comes up is handled gently but with powerful emotion.
When the book tries to be silly, it does not do as well, although the lighter bits are definitely needed for the overall balance of tone. Unfortunately, the various pranks played by Matilda and others are neither imaginative nor funny, and the over-the-top cartoonish violence of Miss Trunchbull is always just on the line between ridiculous and uncomfortable.
Some of the plot twists are very abrupt, and while I appreciate the effort of getting a surprisingly complex plot into such a short book, the effect in a bit jarring, and the book seems to be having a lot of trouble figuring out what it wants to be.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Death of parent
aquaria127's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Suicide, Torture, Child abuse, Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse
joshuaedwardcrowe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
After seeing Matilda performed live in the West End over a decade after I first watched the film, I was inspired to read the book before watching the movie again and gain the full narrative experience.
Reading Matilda as an adult was, honestly, a dark experience. I'd never read it as a child, but even walking away from the film as a child, I'd had a weird yet optimistic outlook on the story. Dahl does a very good job of representing a child's outlook on an extravagant world often dimmed by rationality. Matilda's characters, especially represented in the West End production, are bright, expansive, bold characters. While the novel lacked the camp singing and dancing that would lift any viewer up, it definitely captured the magic of Matilda
Though, a dark experience it remained. You can expect a happy ending, so don't fret. To get to that happy ending is a journey in and of itself. Adult me sees parental abuse where there is ridiculous home life, and educational abuse where there is strict teaching and a disciplinary headmistress. Reading Miss Truncuhbull's behaviour while enrobed into Matilda's world is sincerely upsetting and at times can be quite off-putting during the read. Trunchbull's ending doesn't feel like it is exaclty jut deserts to some of the violence she ensues.
Matilda is a classic everyone should read, but I am shocked this is technically a kid's title.
Reading Matilda as an adult was, honestly, a dark experience. I'd never read it as a child, but even walking away from the film as a child, I'd had a weird yet optimistic outlook on the story. Dahl does a very good job of representing a child's outlook on an extravagant world often dimmed by rationality. Matilda's characters, especially represented in the West End production, are bright, expansive, bold characters. While the novel lacked the camp singing and dancing that would lift any viewer up, it definitely captured the magic of Matilda
Though, a dark experience it remained. You can expect a happy ending, so don't fret. To get to that happy ending is a journey in and of itself. Adult me sees parental abuse where there is ridiculous home life, and educational abuse where there is strict teaching and a disciplinary headmistress. Reading Miss Truncuhbull's behaviour while enrobed into Matilda's world is sincerely upsetting and at times can be quite off-putting during the read. Trunchbull's ending doesn't feel like it is exaclty jut deserts to some of the violence she ensues.
Matilda is a classic everyone should read, but I am shocked this is technically a kid's title.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
emceehache's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Re-reading this as an adult in 2022 was an interesting experience. I was five or six when the movie came out. I think I read the book before I was a teen.
Here are some things I noticed:
Here are some things I noticed:
- The other children in Matilda’s class are also relatable and funny
- Ms Honey is more human with her struggles than my childhood recollections.
While it’s fantastical that she found a cottage for 10p a week, her poverty is more obvious this time around. It’s also more apparent that she’s traumatised by being raised by the Trunchbull. Ms Honey asks for Matilda’s consent and yet it feels problematic that she shared her experience with a child, no matter how precocious. - Matilda is the magic, and her powers are just the icing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders
annibear_bookworm's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
youmeatunicorn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
clockaroo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
trexreads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Writing is kind of subpar, but I like the story. But I think the movie is better, it has more actual story in it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
Writing is kind of subpar, but I like the story. But I think the movie is better, it has more actual story in it.kes_kat's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don't know why I never read this book as a child, since the movie is still to this day one of my favorites. I absolutely loved this book and it was so nostalgic to read. I was happy that the movie was very similar to the book.
I loved Matilda's love for books and learning! Miss Honey was of course one of my favorite characters. One of my favorite parts were the pranks that Matilda plays on her terrible parents.
The pacing of this books is a little low, but I highly recommend this books for anyone who loved the movie as a kid.
I loved Matilda's love for books and learning! Miss Honey was of course one of my favorite characters. One of my favorite parts were the pranks that Matilda plays on her terrible parents.
The pacing of this books is a little low, but I highly recommend this books for anyone who loved the movie as a kid.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Bullying
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
bookreadingelf's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse