Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Matilda
- Author: Roald Dahl
- Narrator: Kate Winslet
- Length: 04:18:57
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 03/07/2013
- Publisher: Listening Library (Audio)
- Genre: Kids, General, Health & Family, Fairy Tales & Folklore
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
As I settled into my favorite armchair with a cup of jasmine tea, Kate Winslet’s voice transported me back to my first encounter with Roald Dahl’s Matilda during my graduate studies at Berkeley. The memory remains vivid – I was analyzing narrative structures in children’s literature when Matilda’s story struck me with its perfect balance of whimsy and subversion. Now, decades later, this audiobook version rekindles that scholarly fascination while offering fresh delights through Winslet’s remarkable performance.
What fascinates me most about Matilda is how Dahl constructs a protagonist who embodies intellectual rebellion. Through a cultural lens, we see how Matilda challenges not just the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull, but the very systems that dismiss children’s agency. This reminds me of my research on Japanese folktales where clever children outwit oppressive adults – a cross-cultural narrative pattern that reveals universal truths about power dynamics.
Winslet’s narration elevates Dahl’s text to new heights. Her vocal artistry shines in creating distinct character voices – from Matilda’s precocious clarity to Miss Trunchbull’s terrifying growls. The way Winslet modulates her tone for the Trunchbull’s tirades (‘You little viper!’) sent chills down my spine, while her warm, maternal portrayal of Miss Honey provided perfect emotional counterbalance. The audio production deserves special praise for maintaining crisp clarity even during the most boisterous scenes.
The audiobook format particularly enhances Dahl’s linguistic playfulness. Listening to the rhymes and wordplay (‘The cat sat on the mat’ becomes a revolutionary chant) made me appreciate anew how Dahl uses language as both weapon and shield. This aligns with my work on how oral storytelling traditions influence modern narratives – there’s an almost musical quality to Dahl’s prose that the audiobook format amplifies beautifully.
Through a scholarly lens, I’m struck by how Matilda’s telekinetic powers symbolize the transformative potential of knowledge. When she finally stands up to the Trunchbull, it’s not through brute force but through cultivated intellect – a message that resonates deeply with my experiences teaching first-generation college students. The scene where Matilda discovers her powers while reading in the library particularly moved me; Winslet captures that moment of self-discovery with exquisite sensitivity.
Some listeners might find Dahl’s caricatured adults (the neglectful Wormwoods, the monstrous Trunchbull) overly broad, but in the audiobook format, these exaggerated characters work wonderfully. They become almost like figures in a morality play, with Winslet’s vocal choices adding surprising nuance. Her portrayal of Mr. Wormwood’s used-car-salesman bluster, for instance, reveals the pathetic insecurity beneath the bravado.
Compared to other children’s classics I’ve studied, Matilda stands out for its unapologetic celebration of female intelligence. In my Comparative Literature courses, we often discuss how girls in children’s literature are typically passive recipients of adventure rather than its architects. Matilda subverts this tradition completely – she’s both book-smart and street-smart, using her wits to navigate and ultimately transform her world. Winslet’s performance honors this complexity beautifully.
The audiobook also highlights Dahl’s masterful pacing. The chapters are perfectly structured for listening, with cliffhangers that make you want to continue (‘And that was when Matilda decided something had to be done about the Trunchbull’). This reminded me of my research on serialized Victorian novels – Dahl understands the power of the pause, the art of the unfinished thought.
For those considering this audiobook, I’d recommend it for:
1. Families seeking quality listening experiences (the chapters are ideal for car rides)
2. Educators exploring narrative techniques in children’s literature
3. Adult fans of Dahl who want to revisit the story through a fresh medium
4. Anyone who appreciates virtuosic vocal performance
While the digital price point might give some pause, the production quality justifies the investment. That said, I’d encourage checking your local library’s digital offerings – many provide free access to this and other literary audiobooks.
As I reached the audiobook’s conclusion, I found myself reflecting on how Matilda’s story has grown with me. Where once I identified with her as a bookish child, now I see deeper layers – the responsibility of power, the ethics of resistance, the transformative potential of good teachers. Winslet’s narration honors all these dimensions, making this audiobook not just an entertainment, but an invitation to revisit and reconsider a modern classic.
With scholarly appreciation and bookish camaraderie,
Prof. Emily Chen
