The Pre-Loved edit from Shopbop
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Buy used:
$1.04
$3.98 delivery January 31 - February 1. Details
Or fastest delivery January 28 - 31. Details
Used: Good | Details
Condition: Used: Good
Comment: Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc...
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the authors

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Matilda Paperback – International Edition, March 26, 2013

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 21,502 ratings

"A true genius . . . Roald Dahl is my hero" David Walliams Matilda's parents have called her some terrible things, but the truth is she's a genius and they're the stupid ones. Underestimating Matilda proves to be a big mistake as they, along with her spiteful headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, soon find out when Matilda discovers she has a very special power.
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Popular Highlights in this book

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Quentin Blake is one of Britain's most successful illustrators. He has illustrated nearly three hundred books and he was Roald Dahl's favourite illustrator. He has won many awards including the Whitbread Award and the Kate Greenaway Medal and taught for over twenty years at the Royal College of Art. In 1999 he became the first ever Children's Laureate and in 2013 he was knighted in the New Year's Honours.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin (March 26, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0141346345
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0141346342
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 10 years, from customers
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.07 x 0.65 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 21,502 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
21,502 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and fun to read. They appreciate the well-developed characters and the storyline, which is smoothly planned with interesting twists. The humor is described as funny and wry, making it an enjoyable experience for readers of all ages. Readers praise Matilda's intelligence and cleverness.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

137 customers mention "Entertainment value"137 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's entertainment value. They find it fun, amusing, and engaging, with a great mix of humor and fun. The story is described as delightful, lively, and a favorite among children.

"...Not only is his style easily accessible and lively, but he sides with his young audience through his writing, He draws the characters of Miss..." Read more

"Magnificent, helplessness slips away as the brilliance and heartfelt wonder of life unfolds and reaches deep into a truth gracefully expressed and..." Read more

"Fun, cute book. Nostalgic for me as an adult who loved Roald Dahl as a kid. Still holds up all these years!" Read more

"...The book is indeed very engaging, featuring a great mix of humor and clever writing. However, it's worth noting that this is a paperback edition...." Read more

135 customers mention "Readability"135 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it suitable for all ages, with good thinking opportunities and a positive message for kids. The writing is lively and engaging for young readers, making it an enjoyable read aloud for children as young as 2nd grade.

"...his style easily accessible and lively, but he sides with his young audience through his writing, He draws the characters of Miss Trunchbull and..." Read more

"...Miss Honey is very nice to kids of all ages. She is a very sweet person. Miss Honey is Matilda’s Kindergarten teacher...." Read more

"...Great for kids and adults." Read more

"...return gift for my son's birthday party, and it was a big hit with the 9-year-old recipient...." Read more

61 customers mention "Character development"57 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the book's character development. They praise the strong female characters and well-defined good and bad characters. The protagonist is a young girl who is horribly raised by her parents. Readers appreciate Dahl's candor and humorous descriptions of Matilda's parents and the Trunchbull.

"...In spite of her sensitive and brilliant mind, she is a character who engages our sympathies...." Read more

"...and reaches deep into a truth gracefully expressed and placed delicately into reality." Read more

"...He creates such child-like whimsy and wonderful strong female characters. Great for kids and adults." Read more

"I love Roald Dahl and I absolutely adored this book and the character. It’s a perfect mix of horrible and magic!!" Read more

42 customers mention "Storyline"36 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the captivating storyline with its well-planned plot and interesting twists. They find the book and movie equally magical, with a happy ending. Readers mention the story moves quickly and is full of surprises, adventure, laughter, and mystery.

"...empathetic, sweet, overly-intelligent, and compact grown-up who catches on quickly. She doesn't seem much like a child at all...." Read more

"...music now and also look forward to learning how the musical storyline compares to the book." Read more

"...Also, I think the plot is very smoothly planned and natural, so I give this book a five star and a big hand." Read more

"This story has spawned a film and a major stage musical, but it comes nowhere near the classic status of CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY...." Read more

38 customers mention "Humor"38 positive0 negative

Customers find the humor in the book creative and funny. They appreciate the writing style as whimsical and wry. The language is engaging with good vocabulary and sentence structure.

"...The book is indeed very engaging, featuring a great mix of humor and clever writing. However, it's worth noting that this is a paperback edition...." Read more

"...The illustrations in the paperback I bought were hilariously funny and descriptive of the main characters in such a way that I laughed throughout..." Read more

"...It is fun and funny, heartwarming and touching. Is it perfect? No. But I'll take a billion imperfectly perfect books just like it." Read more

"...And everyone became happy. I love this book, because it's really funny...." Read more

30 customers mention "Intelligence"25 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the intelligent and clever character of Matilda. They find her sensitive, brilliant, and able to put people in their place. The book is described as engaging from beginning to end.

"...In spite of her sensitive and brilliant mind, she is a character who engages our sympathies...." Read more

"...Matilda is a really smart kid. She is smarter than every kid in her school. She has read all the books in the local library...." Read more

"...Matilda is an empathetic, sweet, overly-intelligent, and compact grown-up who catches on quickly. She doesn't seem much like a child at all...." Read more

"...Now she reads it to me! My daughter loves the smart, polite, yet mischievous Matilda...." Read more

28 customers mention "Writing style"28 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book. They find it engaging and well-written, with perfect language. The story is described as delightful and expertly narrated. Readers praise the author's genius and maturity in children's writing.

"...a work that shows Dahl at the top of his game, at the pinnacle of his writing career, and sums up all that his children's writing has come to stand..." Read more

"...It’s above her reading level, but it gets her engaged and recognizing words while holding the paper copy." Read more

"Purchased in the Paperback version this copy of Matilda is written in British English with illustrations from one of the best, Quentin Blake...." Read more

"...clean, like brand new, on time, and in very good as new condition, English, and 1st edition from top to bottom, inside and out, as shown and told." Read more

30 customers mention "Language"10 positive20 negative

Customers have different views on the book's language. Some find it engaging and useful for discussion, teaching good lessons. Others mention that the language is rough, with a few bad words and difficult to understand lyrics from the songs. The English idiom may be unfamiliar for some readers.

"...The dialog is often stilted and unrealistic. Yes, I know it's a fantasy, but the characters should still speak like real human beings...." Read more

"...age of 5 Matilda could master complex multiplications, read all the children's fiction in her local library and even works from authors such as..." Read more

"...four stars but the characterization wasn’t strong enough, there was no nuance. I think children deserve that. It’s also light on the action...." Read more

"It is a good book and good quality.the book has a few bad words. But it is still a great book!" Read more

A Heart-wrenching Tale With a Happy Ending
5 out of 5 stars
A Heart-wrenching Tale With a Happy Ending
I have tried to get through Matilda, the movie (the original), and I was not engaged enough to find it interesting. I have yet to view the most recent adaptation, and I do not think I will.However, the book is superb! I expected nothing less from Roald Dahl and his eccentric ways of introducing characters and tying a reader to this story instantly. One moment, I thought I knew what would take place and the next moment, I was pleasantly surprised.Matilda is an empathetic, sweet, overly-intelligent, and compact grown-up who catches on quickly. She doesn't seem much like a child at all. And the adults in her life are all soulless, foul human beings--save for Ms. Jenny Honey.I wanted so badly for Ms. Trunchbull, the Headmistress of Matilda's school, to get her comeuppance, and when she did, I was elated! No child should experience what the children of that school endured by the abusive actions of the vulgar and heartless, Trunchbull.This is a captivating story of patience, resilience, determination, application of simple powers, and love. And when there's love, there's always a way.The ending is the cherry on top of the cake. And it brings the story together phenomenally. If you haven't read Matilda, I urge you to do so, and soon.You won't regret it.
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2007
    All of Roald Dahl's key works contain common features that make his books special and unique. Apart from gripping tales of the unexpected, the key reason for their appeal is in the treatment of the baddies in the story. However, Dahl counters this rollicking, uproarious and wicked humour with deep relationships between the young protagonist and a sensible grown-up in his social circle. This theme features throughout most if not all his works, and was first introduced when he wrote Danny, the Champion of the World (Puffin Novels), maturing when Dahl wrote The BFG, The Witches (Puffin Novels)and Matilda.

    On the surface, Matilda may be a gripping yarn that revolves around Matilda's environment of Crunchem Hall Primary School and the domain of fearsome Miss Trunchbull, arguably the most revolting villain that Dahl ever created. This harks back to his own dark days as a student. As with all his books, Dahl keeps his audience of young readers in mind. Not only is his style easily accessible and lively, but he sides with his young audience through his writing, He draws the characters of Miss Trunchbull and Matilda's repulsive parents such that they convey revolting personas and you wouldn't want to befriend them. Dahl particularly draws the character of the Trunchbul effectively such that we readers can really feel her as a "holy terror that frightend the life out of the pupils and teachers alike". I admit that this book dwells a little too much on the Trunchbull's torturous punishments, but these only serve to make the Trunchbull more real. A signature twist to make this a tale of the unexpected is when Miss Honey reveals that Matilda's father was a crook who sold stolen cars.

    However, the understated core of the book should be Matilda herself and her relationship with Miss Honey. His portrayal of this relationship offers distinct echoes of Danny's relationship with his father in Danny the Champion of the World. From the moment that Dahl first introduces us to Matilda's maturity, we know that we are getting to know an extraordinary little girl. In spite of her sensitive and brilliant mind, she is a character who engages our sympathies. Matilda always strives to break free of the thrall of her crooked family, especially her father, who acts and talks like a gangster towards her. Matilda strikes up an acquaintence with Miss Honey and quickly learns of Miss Honey's situation. She is then able to do things in her power to help her and restore her rightful claim to her father's inheritance. This may appear to be self-interest on Matilda's part, but sshe does this because she shows a genuine sympathy to Miss Honey's plight.

    In short, this swansong in Dahl's long children's novels stands as an undisputed masterwork and demonstrates the maturity in Dahl's children's writing. It's truly a work that shows Dahl at the top of his game, at the pinnacle of his writing career, and sums up all that his children's writing has come to stand for. (Apparently he spent 20 years writing this book.) Although I could have done with less coverage of the Trunchbull's cruelty, this book is still an undisputed Dahl classic that deserves to be up there with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox and The BFG.
    10 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2024
    Magnificent, helplessness slips away as the brilliance and heartfelt wonder of life unfolds and reaches deep into a truth gracefully expressed and placed delicately into reality.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2015
    You should read Matilda by Roald Dahl it will make you feel happy. They talk funny, like calling the principal the headmistress, but that did not bother me. It is a good book. Boys should read it. Girls should read it. Grown-ups should read it. Only people that hate children and are principals that pick kids up by their ears and throw them around should not read this book.

    Matilda is a nice kid and lives in a big and nice house. Her dad is a bad guy and he buys stolen cars and fixes them up. Matilda’s mom goes out to bingo every day and leaves her home alone. Matilda is a really smart kid. She is smarter than every kid in her school. She has read all the books in the local library. The coolest thing about Matilda is that she can move stuff with her eyes. Really. Listen to this from the book: “She concentrated the whole of her mind and her brain and her will up into her eyes….and then the millions of tiny invisible arms with hands on them were shooting towards the glass, and without making any sound at all she kept on shouting inside her head for the glass to go over. She saw it wobble, then it tilted, then it toppled right over and fell with a tinkle on the table-top not twelve inches from Miss Honey’s folded arms.”

    Miss Honey is very nice to kids of all ages. She is a very sweet person. Miss Honey is Matilda’s Kindergarten teacher. She wants to put Matilda in a class where she will actually learn something new. Miss Trunchbull would not allow that. So Miss Honey went to the other teachers and got Matilda some books to read. She let Matilda read during class. Miss Honey tries to protect the children. She says in the book: “A word of warning to you all … The Headmistress is very strict about everything. Make sure your clothes are clean, your faces are clean and your hands are clean. Speak only when spoken to. When she asks you a question, stand up at once before you answer it. Never argue with her. Never answer back. Never try to be funny. If you do you will make her angry, and when the Headmistress gets angry you had better watch out.” She tries to protect them but needs Matilda’s help.

    Miss Trunchbull is the principal of the school Matilda goes to. Miss Trunchbull is very mean to children. She picks them up by their ears and throws them around. She also picks them up by their hair and holds them there until they do what she says. She always screams at children instead of talking. The worst thing is that she does things so crazy that the school kid’s parents will never believe what the kids say and Miss Trunchbull will never get in trouble. But the very worst part is that she is the aunt of Matilda’s teacher, Miss Honey. Matilda always outsmarts Miss Trunchbull. Matilda made the chalk of the blackboard move by using her eyes. She made Miss Trunchbull think the ghost of Miss Honey’s father wrote her a note. It scared her so much she ran away.

    Roald Dahl wrote the book so it made me think I was really there. When he was 8 the principal hit him with a stick for putting a dead mouse in a jawbreaker jar. He was sent to boarding school and he missed his mom very much. He used his real life experience to make his book so very good.
    27 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2024
    Matilda is a classic. Roald Dahl is a legend. He creates such child-like whimsy and wonderful strong female characters. Great for kids and adults.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024
    Fun, cute book. Nostalgic for me as an adult who loved Roald Dahl as a kid. Still holds up all these years!
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2024
    I have tried to get through Matilda, the movie (the original), and I was not engaged enough to find it interesting. I have yet to view the most recent adaptation, and I do not think I will.

    However, the book is superb! I expected nothing less from Roald Dahl and his eccentric ways of introducing characters and tying a reader to this story instantly. One moment, I thought I knew what would take place and the next moment, I was pleasantly surprised.

    Matilda is an empathetic, sweet, overly-intelligent, and compact grown-up who catches on quickly. She doesn't seem much like a child at all. And the adults in her life are all soulless, foul human beings--save for Ms. Jenny Honey.

    I wanted so badly for Ms. Trunchbull, the Headmistress of Matilda's school, to get her comeuppance, and when she did, I was elated! No child should experience what the children of that school endured by the abusive actions of the vulgar and heartless, Trunchbull.

    This is a captivating story of patience, resilience, determination, application of simple powers, and love. And when there's love, there's always a way.

    The ending is the cherry on top of the cake. And it brings the story together phenomenally. If you haven't read Matilda, I urge you to do so, and soon.

    You won't regret it.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Heart-wrenching Tale With a Happy Ending
    Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2024
    I have tried to get through Matilda, the movie (the original), and I was not engaged enough to find it interesting. I have yet to view the most recent adaptation, and I do not think I will.

    However, the book is superb! I expected nothing less from Roald Dahl and his eccentric ways of introducing characters and tying a reader to this story instantly. One moment, I thought I knew what would take place and the next moment, I was pleasantly surprised.

    Matilda is an empathetic, sweet, overly-intelligent, and compact grown-up who catches on quickly. She doesn't seem much like a child at all. And the adults in her life are all soulless, foul human beings--save for Ms. Jenny Honey.

    I wanted so badly for Ms. Trunchbull, the Headmistress of Matilda's school, to get her comeuppance, and when she did, I was elated! No child should experience what the children of that school endured by the abusive actions of the vulgar and heartless, Trunchbull.

    This is a captivating story of patience, resilience, determination, application of simple powers, and love. And when there's love, there's always a way.

    The ending is the cherry on top of the cake. And it brings the story together phenomenally. If you haven't read Matilda, I urge you to do so, and soon.

    You won't regret it.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Customer image
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Beatriz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buen libro para niños y adolescentes
    Reviewed in Mexico on September 24, 2023
    Le gustó mucho a mi sobrina de 13 años
  • Rabab Askari
    5.0 out of 5 stars book
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on September 11, 2024
    interesting book
  • Deepti
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece by the Genius writer…
    Reviewed in India on June 10, 2024
    Matilda is a novel by Roald Dahl illustrated by Queltin Blake. It is about a young phenomenal girl who is just five years old and has a genius brain, Matida. She loves to read books is very good at math, her parents don't approve this and influence her to watch the television, but she doesn't. She is her parents's second child her older brother is a spoiled brat, all because of his parents. Matilda's father owns a car dealership where he cheats his customers. Matilda visits the town library very often and spend hours reading novels in the company of the kind librarian, Miss Phelps. One day her parents enrolled her in a school, Crunchem Hall where she met the warmhearted teacher, Miss Honey who was amazed by Matilda's marvelous brain. Matilda made friends with a girl named Lavender at school who enjoyed each other's company. But the only fear Matilda had at school was the mighty mean headmistress, Miss Trurunchbull who is a retired javelin thrower and hates children and calls them maggots and newts. When Miss Honey tells the Trunchbull about Matilda she is not the slightest bit impressed. Then Miss Honey tried telling Matilda's parents but is shocked with how Matilda's parents treat her. But the surprises don't end here Miss Honey gets even more surprised when Matilda shows her that she can make things move with her eyes. Matilda uses this power to get rid of the Thrunchbull. The story has an even happier ending when her crook parents run off to Spain Matilda stays with Miss Honey, who becomes headmistress with the Trunchbull gone. Once you start reading it you can't put it down. I would recommend everyone to read it.
  • Shanny Fernando
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all kids and maybe adults
    Reviewed in Sweden on November 12, 2023
    I bought this book for the daughter of a friend of mine because it was one of my favourite books growing up. I don't really know if she enjoyed it or not though.
  • Client d'Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super histoire
    Reviewed in France on November 10, 2023
    Roald Dahl est un super auteur. Dans cette histoire, une petite fille surdoué rencontre des difficultés à l’école. Elle va se rendre compte qu’en plus d’être intelligente, elle possède une capacité très singulière. Niveau anglais B1-B2