Crenshaw's Books & Decks

Matilda is a modern tale that has many elements of the old folk European stories, with angelical vs evil people who you immediately love and hate, and an air of defiance of the adult world that hooks up children. What separates Matilda from old fairy tales is that, despite the character being a female heroine, the story doesn't want to turn her into a princess,  into a girlfriend, or into a male character's attachment. Matilda is brilliant because she is an individual and knows what she wants.

The book speaks about the importance of family values and being brought up properly, and about the importance of your willpower and education to overcome any struggle and become your best self. Also, you get in life as much as the effort you put in achieving your goals, you get what you focus on, your willpower moves mountains.

The book reads effortlessly and fast, and it is truly enjoyable. A classic of children literature, and very important to reinforce positive female roles in a world that wants to turn little girls into little empty dolls.

I like Quentin Blake's illustrations style but they don't resonate with me with regards to Matilda, perhaps because I imagine Matilda very different from the character we find drawn in the book. This is a personal preference of course.