I've never read this before. I've only ever seen the movie. This story is simultaneously delightful and infuriating. It's delightful in seeing how much Matilda learns and devours books. It's infuriating in how poorly so many adults treat her and the other kids. The lack of care Matilda's parents have for her makes me so mad and I am enraged over how Trunchbull is even allowed to be anywhere NEAR children. The way she physically treats the children and verbally abuses them is downright appalling and she should be thrown in jail for life. I know it's just a fictional story, it's written for children, and I should pay attention to the happy parts but I can't help it.
Roald Dahl seems to have a knack for writing some truly heinous adults and putting children in sad/grave conditions. I do wish I had read this as a kid because I know I would have loved it even then.