Matilda

Author:  Roald Dahl
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 240


Matilda Woodworm is the unloved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Woodworm. Everyday, when four year old  Matilda's parents left for the day, she would go to the library to read books. Unlike her parents, she loved to read and was very smart. She taught herself how to read, and at a young age she was reading adult books. When Matilda was old enough, her father sent her to school. Matilda's headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, was extremely cruel to the children. And, all the kids were fearful that they would be the next victim.  Matilda's teacher, Miss Honey, was aware of Matilda's intelligence. She tried to move her into a higher grade but Miss Trunchbull refused. Very quickly,  Matilda befriended her teacher and had a great relationship with her. One day, Matilda discovered that she had powers. Could she use them to help her future and help the children at her school? 


I give Matilda 2 out of 5. There was a lot of violence in Matilda. I know that the author was trying to make the book funny by making the cruelty unbelievable; however, I didn't find it humorous. 

There is also a movie which is very similar to the book. Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman (famous married actor and actress) are in this movie. The cast also won awards and was nominated. I don't like the story but I thought the acting was done very well in the movie.  Here is the link to the trailer.

Below are some quotes from the book Matilda. 

QUOTES

1. “It's a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.”

2.  “If you are good,  life is good.”

3.  The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She travelled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.”

4.  “And don’t worry about the bits you can’t understand. Sit back and allow the words to wash around you, like music.”

5.  “All the reading she had done had given her a view of life that they had never seen. If only they would read a little Dickens or Kipling they would soon discover there was more to life than cheating people and watching television.”

 Although this is a classic and written by a famous author, I personally don't recommend this book.