Matilda By Roald Dahl - Book Review

Growing up this has been one of my favorite books, and now, this is one of my nieces’ favorite books of all times. The book is about Matilda, a timid and quiet young girl who despite her shyness is extremely eloquent and smart.

She has learned to read and do advanced math by the age of 4 and loves spending her time at the library, checking out educational books.

The book’s central theme revolves around evil vs. good and wrong vs. right and ultimately learning how to stand up for yourself.  Matilda has many things working against her, uncaring greedy parents, who didn’t appreciate her genius; a terrible school headmistress who terrorizes the children, and an overall environment of neglect.

We follow Matilda as she goes about her dreary days; juggling between her dysfunction family dynamics, with a mother who drinks too much and isn’t concerned with taking care of her daughter and a crooked dad who has no use for a daughter; and between school, with its gloomy and strict atmosphere and frightened students.

The only glimmer of hope we see is Ms. Honey, her lovely teacher, who takes a shining to Matilda. She spends most of her time trying to find her some quiet time so she can read and learn. She then discovers her secret powers and goes about trying to help save her fellow students.

Reading each chapter as you follow Matilda fighting injustices throughout the book is very exhilarating and satisfactory. Reading this book leaves you with a sense of exhilaration as you go through its ups and downs with Matilda as she faces each situation head-on, confirming, yet again, that good always defeats evil in the end, even if you are a small little girl.

It is a definite read, and people of all ages will love it and it will resonate with them for a long time.