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A review by lordnelson
Matilda by Roald Dahl
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
What
A beautifully crafted story following the exciting tale of young, endearing, gutsy, cheeky, courageous, adventurous, intelligent, book lover, Matilda. Matilda is neglected by her family, her father a dishonest car salesman and is thrusted into a school ran by tyranical, children hating bully, Mrs Trunchbull. After developing powers from her lack of stimulation at school, through kindness and wit she is able to save her loving teacher Miss Honey.
How
Felt like Dahl wrote the novel through the lense of Matilda’s quality’s. The story felt magical to read. It was such an easy read with extensive vocabulary and imaginative descriptions. The story highlighted the distaste for immoral manipulation and love for learning, bravery and kindness ultimately winning out.
True
Although the skill of telekinesis I’ve never seen to be true, the main story’s lessons on the effects of cowardice/bravery, defying dishonourable authority and the power of creativity/imagination do ring true in real life. And that kindness multiplies when given.
What of it
Felt like all my favourite values and themes were thrown into one elegantly crafted story. They’re all very important to me and therefore I would hope important to others. He elegantly gives enough information for the reader to make their own evaluations of the savoury and less savoury characters but rarely directly spells it out. Matilda operates bluntly at times but but also understands it’s unkind and impractical to focus on the bad as well. I’m in awe of Dahl’s imagination and creative process, what a masterpiece of storytelling.
Best bits
A beautifully crafted story following the exciting tale of young, endearing, gutsy, cheeky, courageous, adventurous, intelligent, book lover, Matilda. Matilda is neglected by her family, her father a dishonest car salesman and is thrusted into a school ran by tyranical, children hating bully, Mrs Trunchbull. After developing powers from her lack of stimulation at school, through kindness and wit she is able to save her loving teacher Miss Honey.
How
Felt like Dahl wrote the novel through the lense of Matilda’s quality’s. The story felt magical to read. It was such an easy read with extensive vocabulary and imaginative descriptions. The story highlighted the distaste for immoral manipulation and love for learning, bravery and kindness ultimately winning out.
True
Although the skill of telekinesis I’ve never seen to be true, the main story’s lessons on the effects of cowardice/bravery, defying dishonourable authority and the power of creativity/imagination do ring true in real life. And that kindness multiplies when given.
What of it
Felt like all my favourite values and themes were thrown into one elegantly crafted story. They’re all very important to me and therefore I would hope important to others. He elegantly gives enough information for the reader to make their own evaluations of the savoury and less savoury characters but rarely directly spells it out. Matilda operates bluntly at times but but also understands it’s unkind and impractical to focus on the bad as well. I’m in awe of Dahl’s imagination and creative process, what a masterpiece of storytelling.
Best bits