Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Matilda by Roald Dahl

23 reviews

thaliareads's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I've read this book a lot throughout my life and enjoyed it just as much as an adult as I did as a kid. There's a little something for everyone, and as an adult, I almost wish the book could have been longer because I would have loved to spend more time with these characters and to have an opportunity to fill in some of the time gaps jumped to allow the plot to advance more quickly. Still a great read, no questions about it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Violence

Small spoiler, shouldn't take away from reading the book.

Matilda's parents don't directly abuse her emotionally in a clear way, but their lack of attention is akin to a type of emotional abuse. In addition it's notable that the school headmistress does physically abuse the children at the school but in outrageously outlandish ways, and the children while traumatized are never seriously injured and the goal of the book is to see Matilda get herself and the other students out of these situations with adults who don't care.

indigo_book_dragon's review

dark hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The book starts lighthearted with pranks that cause some discomfort but not too much bodily harm. When you look past the cartoonishly extreme reactions, it is a sad story of Matilda’s situation with some darker things left unsaid.
However, it ends on a hopeful note. Though there isn’t much character growth, and Matilda is not the best role model for young children, it’s a mostly light story with happy ending.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Physical abuse and Domestic abuse

scarlettoliver's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Bullying

Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse

Minor: Confinement, Murder, and Torture

katharina90's review

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

The message at the heart of Matilda is so hopeful and uplifting. A David vs. Goliath story that encourages kids to fight their bullies and stand up for what's right. But you have to be ok with descriptions of pretty severe abuse and look past countless other issues including fatphobia and body shaming, sexism and misogyny, classism, and ableist language. Re-reading this now, I don't find it particularly funny and have to work hard to connect with the positive message at the story's core.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Abandonment, and Bullying

Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, and Classism

Minor: Ableism and Suicide

readingwithmeredith's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Child abuse

chiaraaaa's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Bullying

aquaria127's review

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Suicide, Torture, Child abuse, Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Physical abuse

sassyshark's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abandonment and Confinement

Minor: Slavery, Suicide, and Death of parent

bobbybluech's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Abandonment

Moderate: Bullying and Physical abuse

Minor: Suicide and Death of parent

grace_cr1's review against another edition

lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Suicide