Book Bucket List: Matilda by Roald Dahl

There are books in your life that you come across and you know you have to read them. They can be old, they can be new but before your time runs out you have to find time to read them. Welcome to my Book Bucket List everyone!

Synopsis: Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she's knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she's a super-nerd and the teacher's pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda's world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there's the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Mrs. ("The") Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.

She warms up with some practical jokes aimed at her hapless parents, but the true test comes when she rallies in defense of her teacher, the sweet Miss Honey, against the diabolical Trunchbull. There is never any doubt that Matilda will carry the day. Even so, this wonderful story is far from predictable. Roald Dahl, while keeping the plot moving imaginatively, also has an unerring ear for emotional truth. The reader cares about Matilda because in addition to all her other gifts, she has real feelings.

This one has been on my TBR list for many years. I love Roald Dahl and its film adaptation is one of my favorite movies growing up. So, why haven't I read it?  Well, it's because of what I just said, its film adaptation is one of my favorite movies. Therefore, I know that I won't judge it properly. My mind will be playing the movie in my head while I'm reading and I'll be laser focused on the the differences and seeing them in a negative light. Also, there is a special feeling you have when you have a favorite book or film from when you are a child and I'm afraid that the book will harm that feeling somehow. I'll have to push myself to get to eventually. Maybe when I have my own kids haha.