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daumari's review against another edition
5.0
I remember being at Barnes and Noble, and my parents told me to pick a book for the trip (cousin's wedding in Maryland, which meant a crosscountry plane ride) and I picked this book because it had a girl surrounded by books. Before I had any concept of what 'gifted' kids were, I could identify with Matilda and her strengths, and how there's power in knowledge.
I may have also squinted, concentrating furiously, at pieces of chalk at the time too- guess psychic powers weren't a thing for me. :P
I may have also squinted, concentrating furiously, at pieces of chalk at the time too- guess psychic powers weren't a thing for me. :P
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
5.0
It was a toss among this one, 'Ulysses' and 'The Sound and the Fury'* - Which, by the way, Matilda had read by age of five! and she liked it! Feeling embarrassed already? No? she could also tell you within seconds and without calculator; what is seventeen times nineteen. Can you? Can you?
Not only is she a child prodigy; she also showed ability of telekinesis for sometime. Roald Dahl seems to have a message for both children and grown-ups. And it is quite clear; grown-ups need not always be right. We tend to assume that parents or teachers know what is the best for the children - because it is a very romantic thing to assume but often we see how wrong this assumption is:
Children are thus often forced to pay for their parent/guardians/ teachers' faults.
And I have known parents who wish to avoid spending on their children's education, specially if they are girls. There are, you will agree, many teachers who detest their jobs and many often bully children.
And, here a kid's genius need not necessarily be about books;it can art or sports or anything.
And there is no lack of cases where children find themselves alone; fearing that they might not be understood:
And often children do revolt when they felt injustice is being done to them - they have a very strong sense of injustice, not yet used to it like grown-ups. They tend to do so by turning mischievous.
Another good reason to read Dahl is that he teaches how to insult in civilized language:
*Okay now, I know you are wondering how I tossed between three books. This is how it was - Heads it was Matilda, Tails I would toss again. If the coin had stayed up on its tip, it would have been 'The Sound and the Fury'. If it had stayed up in the air, it would have been 'Ulysses'. In the end it turned out to be Matilda. I mean what are the chances? It was as if something was pulling coin towards ground! Personally I was inclined towards reading Ulysses, but I had to do what coin told me to do.
Looking back, it only seemed fair after my last read 'Lord of the Flies' failed the Bechdel test a big time.
Not only is she a child prodigy; she also showed ability of telekinesis for sometime. Roald Dahl seems to have a message for both children and grown-ups. And it is quite clear; grown-ups need not always be right. We tend to assume that parents or teachers know what is the best for the children - because it is a very romantic thing to assume but often we see how wrong this assumption is:
“I'm right and you're wrong, I'm big and you're small, and there's nothing you can do about it.”
Children are thus often forced to pay for their parent/guardians/ teachers' faults.
And I have known parents who wish to avoid spending on their children's education, specially if they are girls. There are, you will agree, many teachers who detest their jobs and many often bully children.
And, here a kid's genius need not necessarily be about books;it can art or sports or anything.
And there is no lack of cases where children find themselves alone; fearing that they might not be understood:
"“What she needed was just one person, one wise and sympathetic grown-up who could help her.”
And often children do revolt when they felt injustice is being done to them - they have a very strong sense of injustice, not yet used to it like grown-ups. They tend to do so by turning mischievous.
Another good reason to read Dahl is that he teaches how to insult in civilized language:
“You ignorant little slug!" the Trunchbull bellowed. "You witless weed! You empty-headed hamster! You stupid glob of glue!”
*Okay now, I know you are wondering how I tossed between three books. This is how it was - Heads it was Matilda, Tails I would toss again. If the coin had stayed up on its tip, it would have been 'The Sound and the Fury'. If it had stayed up in the air, it would have been 'Ulysses'. In the end it turned out to be Matilda. I mean what are the chances? It was as if something was pulling coin towards ground! Personally I was inclined towards reading Ulysses, but I had to do what coin told me to do.
Looking back, it only seemed fair after my last read 'Lord of the Flies' failed the Bechdel test a big time.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
5.0
Kate Winslet’s narration of the audiobook is amazing. This is a long- time family favorite that we fell in love with all over again.
prynne31's review against another edition
funny
medium-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
5.0
linneak2002's review against another edition
5.0
The first time I experienced this story was through one of the movies, and I thought I didn't like it. My friend, Timilyn, convinced me to read the book because she loved it, and she said it was a fairy tale. I am so glad that I listened to her! It was such a delightful story, and it had all the things that a good story should have!
I listened to the audiobook read by Kate Winslet, and she did a great job.
I listened to the audiobook read by Kate Winslet, and she did a great job.
shof7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jagwild's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-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
patuso's review against another edition
5.0
Matilda es un bonito libro infantil de una ninya con una inteligencia muy superior a los ninyos de su edad.
Me ha gustado mucho el argumento y la forma de escribir del autor.
A Matilda le he cogido mucho carinyo, pero en general la descripción de todos los personajes está muy conseguida y define perfectamente las características de cada uno.
La primera parte del libro nos explica cómo es la vida de Matilda y se va descubriendo su inteligencia fuera de lo normal.
Solo en la segunda parte del libro se descubre la telequinesis, que además utiliza en contadas ocasiones. No recuerdo bien la película (la vi hace mucho tiempo!) pero acabo de ver el trailer y parece que la película es muy diferente al libro.
A mi personalmente me ha gustado las dosis limitadas de telequinesis que tenemos en el libro.
En mi opinión lo convierte en algo todavía más especial.
Con un final un tanto surrealista (como todo lo que rodea al comportamiento de los padres de Matilda) pero satisfactorio.
Pasa a mi lista de favoritos y me deja con ganas de leer más libros de Roald Dahl!
Me ha gustado mucho el argumento y la forma de escribir del autor.
A Matilda le he cogido mucho carinyo, pero en general la descripción de todos los personajes está muy conseguida y define perfectamente las características de cada uno.
La primera parte del libro nos explica cómo es la vida de Matilda y se va descubriendo su inteligencia fuera de lo normal.
Solo en la segunda parte del libro se descubre la telequinesis, que además utiliza en contadas ocasiones. No recuerdo bien la película (la vi hace mucho tiempo!) pero acabo de ver el trailer y parece que la película es muy diferente al libro.
A mi personalmente me ha gustado las dosis limitadas de telequinesis que tenemos en el libro.
En mi opinión lo convierte en algo todavía más especial.
Con un final un tanto surrealista (como todo lo que rodea al comportamiento de los padres de Matilda) pero satisfactorio.
Pasa a mi lista de favoritos y me deja con ganas de leer más libros de Roald Dahl!
amyingomar's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
cerizeseries's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know why I never got to read the book before when the movie is my favorite film of all time. I loved this so much, and I loved Matilda's sass. I would love to walk with her to the library and read quietly beside her. I love Miss Honey even more after reading this. I want to visit her tiny cottage and have tea with her too.