Book Review: Matilda - Andy

Andrew Arlow, 38

MATILDA

Roald Dahl

1988

April 2016

Brief Summary/description

Matilda is a story about the early life of an extremely bright and extraordinary girl and the struggles she faced due to being brought up by arrogant parents who refused to acknowledge her abilities. 

Who was your favourite Character and why?

My favourite character was the Librarian.  Without her support and encouragement, Matilda would have been sent home and she would not have developed her abilities.  She was able to recommend a great list of books to read and with this Matilda matured very quickly.

What was your first favourite part of the book?

I enjoyed the parts where Matilda secretly got her own back on her Dad after each time he was horrible to her.  She smeared superglue into his favourite hat, put bleach in his hair lotion and scared her family with a hidden Parrot.

What was your second favourite part of the book?

The Introduction to the book.  Roald Dahl talks about how, if he was a teacher, he would be brutally honest with the parents.  I found it amusing how most parents believe their children to be “the prettiest, cleverest or most gifted”.  Roald would take the opportunity of the Parent Evening to say it how it really was……if he was a Teacher.   I found this section to be very witty and made me want to read the rest of the book.

What was your least favourite part of the book?

How could Matilda put the borrowed Parrot up a Sooty Chimney??......I’m still upset by this. L

How would you feel if you were the main character?

I would feel very lonely and isolated.  When you are little your parents are so important to you, you don’t see their flaws and trust/depend on their care.  Matilda matured very quickly and was wise enough to form a (justified) negative opinions of her parents.  Matilda’s Parents had very little time for her and refused to acknowledge her needs.    

Is the story believable?

Yes: from the feelings of isolation you can feel as a Child when caught up in Stupid Adults behaviour.

No: from developing telekinetic powers through frustration.

No: Olympic Hammer/Child throwing head teachers

Describe a positive moral in the story?

Don’t mess with 5-year-old geniuses with super-powers.  O and be kind.

What advice would you give the main character?

It’s a Parrot…..jeez Louise!!.....Papa cheese.

Did you enjoy the book/would you change anything?

I really did enjoy this book, I found it enthralling and read it in one sitting.  I would happily read a sequel to the story

Additional thoughts/comments

It was interesting to see an adults view of the world through a child’s eyes. It made me think about the impact adult’s behaviour has on a child.  I actually felt sorry for the children in Matilda’s school that weren’t able to irrationalise the adult’s behaviour and naturally accepted it as normal.