Roald Dahl, Matilda

Paola Trimarco (The Open University)

Ed. by Dimitra Fimi, University of Glasgow
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.09: English Writing and Culture: Postwar and Contemporary Britain , 1945-present.
Vol. editors: Gina Lyle (University of York), Graham MacPhee (University of Manchester), Kerry Myler (Birmingham Newman University), Jenni Ramone (The Nottingham Trent University)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1988

Places

Wales (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Children's Literature
Novel

Resources

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Recommended Reading

First published in 1988,

Matilda

is considered one of Roald Dahl’s most popular children’s books and is among the most well-known children’s books of the twentieth century. Winning the Children’s Book Award in 1989, it appeared after the commercial success of

James and the Giant Peach

(1961),

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

(1964) and

The BFG

(1982). Like these and several other children’s books by Dahl,

Matilda

includes illustrations by Quentin Blake.

A large part of the novel’s popularity has been its appeal to parents and educators as the character of Matilda promotes reading. “The symbolic power that this iconic figure holds, for mediators, children, and parents alike, is enormous, and it is to Dahl’s immense talent that Matilda owes her canonization as role model for

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2688 words

Citation: Trimarco, Paola. "Matilda". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 15 September 2021 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=10437, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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Roald Dahl, Matilda

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