2020 EDIT: Oh my Gaia. I love it more than ever.
'Matilda', my favourite childhood book, is very special to me. It is about the love, happiness, worldly knowledge and fulfilment that comes from books, education, kindness, compassion and care. It is about breaking the cycle of abuse, from a new generation towards an old one; and it highlights the sad reality that most abusers don't change and they are not worth anyone's time. And they certainly should not be allowed anywhere near children. Roald Dahl did seem to like children, while having a sense of humour about it.
'Matilda' is the best kind of wish fulfilment, for anyone of any age.
Intentionally or not, this joy in book form is also extremely feminist, especially for its time. Most of the cast is female, and they vary and differentiate from each other spectacularly - in personality, body type, age, occupation, and hobbies. Young girls - not just Matilda, but Lavender and Hortensia as well - are characterised as being more cheeky, naughty, wild, adventurous, intelligent and intuitive than boys. Not every woman is married, not every woman is vilified for being older and unmarried, and not every woman is shown to be happy and fulfilled in life because she is married and has kids. There are no love interests, period. Women can be as good as men, and they can be as evil as men. They are each themselves, larger than life and memorable in her own individual way.
Funny, charming, scary, sad, sweet, and heartfelt fit to burst. I see myself reading 'Matilda' on any day, at any time of the year. I vividly remember reading a library copy on holiday near a beach when I was very young. I shall remain young and carefree at heart, thanks to 'Matilda' and its little girl title character, the brilliant genius bookworm.
May she grow up to be one of the most brilliant women on the planet. May she continue her deserved happiness with her shared and wonderful, sweet bond with her kindred spirit, the tragic but loving Miss Honey.
Final Score: 5/5
Original Review:
My favourite book from my childhood, and one of my favourite stories of all time. I was introduced to 'Matilda' through the Danny DeVito film adaptation, which is also great. It's the best adaptation of one of Roald Dahl's works in my opinion, as it doesn't dumb down or water down the book's themes for American audiences.
And in my opinion, out of all his children's fiction, 'Matilda' best demonstrates Roald Dahl's skills as a storyteller - from the showing of the good and bad in both children and adults, the imaginative hi-jinks, to the hilarious yet dark and witty sense of humour.
I mean, how many other children's books can you think of that start off with an opening passage like this:
'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 he or she is wonderful.' -Page 1, Chapter 1: 'The Reader of Books'.
The main character, Matilda Wormwood, is an exceptionally gifted and adorable little girl, who in Mr Dahl's words is also sensitive and brilliant. A certain book reviewer, as a book-loving child, could really relate to her. And even wish to be her, powers and all...
Anyway, Matilda loves reading, but is chastised for it by her dumb, horrible parents who don't deserve an angel such as her. Her school headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, is a spectacular villain - over-the-top, frightening and hilarious.
So the adults in young Matilda's life are bullies who really never grew up outside of the playground. They hate children and yet their lives revolve around them. The exception is Miss Jenny Honey, Matilda's school teacher, who is kindhearted and also down-to-earth. I wish she could have been my teacher at school growing up. Like Matilda she is also gifted, but because of her tragic past and what she had to put up with growing up, she became delicate instead of spoiled like the other adults in the story. Matilda must learn to be strong in contrast while she is still young and ambitious - her telekinetic ability is a metaphor for this.
Now that I'm older, I think of 'Matilda' as 'Carrie' for kids. But Matilda, though she's cheeky and is shown to have a temper, wouldn't hurt a fly. She just has her limits like any other child. She combats bullying, internally, by discovering that there are good people in the world.
Overall, one of the best books for children - heck, for anyone - I have ever read. It loves and appreciates books, the target audience, learning and fun. I love the characters, even the villainous adults who get their just desserts. It's a sweet and timeless story about a child prodigy; combined with the illustrations by Quentin Blake it is a further joy to read.
Funny and touching, 'Matilda' is a treat.
Final Score: 5/5
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