This has always been one of my favorite Roald Dahl books. I've read or listened to it several times in the past, but when I saw that Kate Winslet had done an audiobook edition, I just had to listen to it again. And she was phenomenal. ( )

Re-read this for the first time since childhood after seeing (and HATING) the stage musical based on the book. I'll expand this and/or a blog post about why I hated the musical and why I love the movie (and to a lesser extent the book) later. Just setting myself a reminder that (a) I finished reading it; and (b) I want to write about all three at some point soon. ( )

Everyone who’s read Roald Dahl books knows that this book is the absolute shit. There isn’t much I can say about this book that people don’t already know because it’s been so fixedly ingrained into the public consciousness with an iconic movie and an amazing musical by Tim Minchin that everybody knows some version of the story.
What I’d like to tell you guys about is why I think you should read this book.
Matilda is the story of a girl who is so intelligent that her intelligences spills out of her brain and gives her telekinetic powers. Contrary to what happens in the movie, it actually only really happens in the last act of the book. Her parents don’t appreciate how intelligent she actually is, putting her down and saying that being smart and loving books will get you nowhere in life. Matilda is so smart that she can do difficult multiplications in her head, stuff that not even adults can do, and she can also read things that I would never dream of picking up. This little girl is more well-read than I will ever be.
And at the core of it all is the story of abuse. Miss Honey, Matilda’s teacher, has been abused by her aunt (who is also the headmistress of the school) for years since Mrs Trunchbull prevents her from having access to the money and house she so rightfully deserves, as Miss Honey’s father left it to her in his will after dying mysteriously. Matilda is abused in a different way – she isn’t beaten by her family or anything of the sort, but it is something that can be just as drastic. Matilda’s family undermines her constantly, never believing that she is intelligent and never giving her the space to shine that she deserves. At the core of the story are two women who are held back by their families exerting their power over them, trying to control two women that could become very strong and powerful if given the freedom that their families are denying them. In Miss Honey’s case, she would have the power to live a life independent on Miss Trunchbull; in Matilda’s case, who knows what this little girl could eventually achieve!
What I love about this story is that it’s literally about women becoming their own people independent of the abuse that they suffer at the hands of the people that love them the most. As a child, this book made me appreciate the parents that I had who encouraged my love of reading and my want to learn. As an adult, this story makes me appreciate the way that Dahl sends a message to his young readers that just because you don’t have a support system at home doesn’t mean you can’t find one in other people, and that sometimes adults need you just as much as you need them. I love that Matilda’s parents get their comeuppance in the end, being forced to flee because of Matilda’s father’s shady business dealings. And I love that, at the end of the day, Matilda is still a little girl – she’s interested in playing with her friends and isn’t mature beyond her years; she’s just very smart for her age, which is a big distinction to make.
Anyway, I love this book and think that every child, teenager, and adult should read it at different stages in their lives. It’s a brilliant little story for all ages and characters.
My final rating is a solid 5/5 for one of the best children’s books ever written.
( )

Recently I saw the movie musical based on the Broadway musical based on the book. I also have seen the other movie that wasn't a musical. In any case, as usual the book is aways better and I'm glad I finally read it. I think I would have liked this book as a child, but maybe it would have scared me a little. ( )

It´s beyond pondering that Matilda is a child who we can inspire. Clever, bright and outpouring energy, she is a heroine who manages to adapt (and sometimes bring peace) to an unforgivable environment. ( )