Reviews with content warning for Murder - Matilda

This book meant a lot to young me. Reading it again I realize I saw it helped me through some of my darkest times. I imagine for other kids going through similar circumstances as me this book is so helpful and comforting.

Matilda is the hero every single abused and neglected child needs.

Content Warnings

scarlettoliver's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

Content Warnings

thewordsdevourer's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

3.75

ive always heard of this book but just got the chance to read it, and now that i have, im not surprised it's so famous. it was great seeing a main character--and a young one at that--like matilda who's a book lover, and her surprisingly clever yet simple shenanigans to get back at the shitty adults both at home and school were super satisfying.

this book was also hilarious, morbidly so at some parts. dahl's frequent themes of the importance of and love for children, and the failure of adults and the system are once again explored here. my one critcism, however--and this pertains to dahl's other books as well--would be the fact that it negatively reinforces the correlation between a person's physical appearance and their morality, and the fact that many of dahl's antagonists are women, which is a tad disappointing.

Content Warnings