Matilda is such a fun book and the audio version read by Kate Winslet ...
586588
Matilda is such a fun book and the audio version read by Kate Winslet makes it even more entertaining. We found the audio version at the library but I am thinking that this audio book should be given as a gift to parents and teachers on our list. We have listen to this version many times.
1800253
The audio book version read by Davina Porter is excellent. Not only are her accents and vocal nuances perfect for the characters, I learned how Scottish words (mainly names and places) are correctly pronounced and I didn't have to get hung up guessing, which can be annoying for me as I'll persistently wonder if I've gotten it right. I started with the e-book format on my Kindle, but the story really caught fire and came to life when I added the audio version (I'll just obtain the audio version for the sequels and skip printed versions). The book is long, which means I had 2-3 weeks of daily commuting while listening to this book in the car..so factoring the cost-per-hour-of-listening with my high level of enjoyment, the purchase really was a bargain. If you are listening during a commute with others in the car, be aware that there is a fair amount of bawdiness in the story which could make some uncomfortable.
811981
I have bought all of the GA Henty audiobooks for my mother. She says this audiobook has by far the best narrator and she really enjoyed listening to both the narrator and the story itself. She enjoyed this book so much that she had me order it for my brother.
717037
Wonderful characters and a delightful story! The audiobook version is superbly read. I hope that becomes available again because it adds a lot to an already enjoyable book. I listened to a  library copy, but will buy my own copy right away if I ever see it available!
1992079
Kate Winslet who also starred in Sense and Sensiblity lent her beautiful  voice for this great story.  The story of two sisters who find love and  heartbreak, but also find a stronger friendship within themselves.  If you  liked the movie you'll most likely enjoy this audio book.  It is a MUST for  Kate Winslet fans like myself!!
2654403
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! The blurb really intrigued me and I was drawn in immediately. While you are are aware of some of the twists and turns that are to come, the HOW it's pulled off is the fantastic part of this story. I absolutely loved the inner dialogue of Matilda, and her relationship with Jay and how it progresses is swoon worthy despite the frustration you know she is going through. It was an incredibly fun read!
4015742
This is my most favorite audio book.  I have listened to it at least 10 times in the past year. The hero is funny, relatable, and has a noble heart buried under layers of snark.  I wish the author had written more books with this character. The author also did the reading for the book and he did an excellent job with the voices.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good adventure wrapped in a sarcastic sense of humor.
1666659
This was a really fun book.  I bought the hardcover for my husband, and I borrowed the book on cd from the library.  The audiobook version was fantastic!  As far as the story, it introduces new characters while giving some of the wizards a fair amount of time in the book, as well.  My one complaint was that there was not enough of Rincewind and The Luggage, but the new characters that were introduced were delightful!
2054570
Originally published in 1988, "Matilda" was one of the last books author Roald Dahl wrote before his death in 1990.  Most authors as they age become more cynical and dour.  Think of the final writings of Dickens or Twain and how bitter they seemed in their late years.  Then look at "Matilda".  Here we have a sweet charming little piece of literature about a girl that is both good and interesting.  Creating characters that you identify intrinsically with is not only difficult but (in children's books) sometimes near impossible.  Reading "Matilda", it becomes clear that Roald Dahl never lost his touch for creating wonderful original characters and situations.

The heroine of this little book also carries its name.  Matilda is incredibly intelligent, even as a small child.  Living with her boorish parents and oblivious brother, she teaches herself to read from the various magazine and newspapers lying about the house. Her parents are completely indifferent to their only daughter and it is only by playing small tricks on them when they've been particularly nasty that little Matilda is able to keep a hold on her sanity.  By age five and a half Matilda has read all the children's books in the library and quite a few of the adult ones as well.  On entering school for the first time, our protagonist comes face to face with a very worthy enemy.  The Head Teacher, Miss Trunchbull, is the worst kind of dangerous violent adult.  It is only through Matilda's cleverness that she is able to come to the aid of her teacher, Miss Honey, and save the school from the Trunchbull's insanity.

As I mentioned before, Matilda is just the nicest kid ever.  Intelligent without ever becoming pig-headed.  Nice without becomes precious.  She's just a swell child all around.  Through her, Dahl takes some mighty fine cracks as his fellow kiddie lit authors.  I was especially fond of the portion in which Matilda points out that though C.S. Lewis and Tolkien are fine writers, "There aren't many funny bits".  And as we all know, Dahl is the master of the funny bit for kids.  This book is chock full of them too.  It contains all the usual peculiar Dahl touches (like kids being swung out of the playground by their pigtails) as well as practical jokes and nasty adults.  The Trunchbull is perhaps THE nastiest adult ever to grace the pages of the Dahl world.  Definitely unhinged, she abuses the children around her, coming just shy of actual physical contact.  It is amazing then that Dahl doesn't dispatch of her in a violent or crazy fashion.  She merely...disappears.  Likewise Matilda's parents get their comeuppance by merely fleeing the country to Spain.  Dahl was quite soft in his old age, it seems.

Reading this book today I was struck by how much Lemony Snicket owes to Mr. Dahl.  Not just the usual adults-are-nasty-cruel-and-possibly-batty take, but the narrative voice as well.  It took me a couple minutes to realize that this was Dahl talking and not Mr. Handler.  Illustrated by Quentin Blake, the book is perfectly complimented by the illustrators' insane imaginings and concoctions.  The Blake/Dahl pairing is often inspired, and it works to its best advantage here.  I can't imagine this book without Blake's particular little pointy nosed heroine gracing the pages.  For those parents who either don't approve of Dahl or just don't "get" him, I think "Matilda" is the perfect story to win them over.  You'd have to be pretty hard of heart not to love its little heroine and the troubles she gets into.  A charming treat to be enjoyed for years to come.
2362528
I have all of the audio books in the Carnation Series and find its more fun to listen because when I read I miss all the little jokes and word play.  The setting is very interesting; not the conventional India, and the characters have the ability to push the limits and still be compelling.  But I hate to put the last 2 disks in my player and have it end.
 I am so glad Kate Reading is the reader because she is able to convey the reality of Eloise and also add gravity to the plot.  I am also enjoying the way Colin's family is morphing.  So glad to hear there will be more stories!!!!!
971471
When I ask my five year old what her favorite chapter book is, she replies with "Matilda" every time.  Roald Dahl was my favorite when I was a kid, so I couldn't be happier my daughter loves his work as much as I did.  Dahl makes books fun. Next up is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
3868162
I purchased the audio book on Audible and it was wonderful! The performance by the narrators Carolyn Cook, Susan Larkin, and Tiffany Morgan was top notch.
4032965
I just read this again after something like 20 years, and still SOOOO good! Matilda is a child character but has so much to teach adults. Her powers are just an extension of her strength of will and smarts and confidence. Its so rare to find a book that speaks to kids as much as adults. It goes without saying the writing and story are wonderful, tightly-written, and supremely funny. My new old favorite book.
3323840
I listen to audio books during my daily walks.  Just finished this most enjoyable, fantastic, whimsical book.  It must also be said that the enjoyment I derived from the audio version is due to the very talented Steven Crossley narration, who has each character down pat, and a sense of timing and expression that easily exploits the humor of the text.  People must have wondered at me as I walked along smiling or even laughing out loud.  Highly recommended if you want something funny and coincidentally outrageous.
394305
If you love the book and want an audio version, be sure to pick up the one narrated by William Hope and Laurel Lefkow. I've read the book twice, but I can't remember how many times I've listened to Hope and Lefkow bring it to life. They embody Henry and Clare - so much so that I have to emotionally adjust a little whenever I watch the movie. When I went to upgrade from the cassettes I had to a download from Audible, I accidentally purchased the version narrated by Fred Berman and Phoebe Strole, and it just wasn't nearly as good. Later Audible made the Hope/Lefkow version available, and I was able to correct my mistake. :)

It's unusual for me to prefer an audiobook to reading the written word, but in this case, I do. Just a superb recording. If you're a fan, treat yourself! You won't regret it!
298451
I loved the book and if I'm cleaning around the house or sitting down with a puzzle, the audio book is wonderful. I also really enjoy that it is read in a British accent. So much fun.
1418215
I checked out the audiobook version of this story, and also picked up the hard copy in case I decided to read the book instead.  I picked up the book a few times, but am so glad I also chose to listen to the story being narrated.  Atwood is amazingly creative with her storytelling, but there were a few parts that she could easily have left out to make the book a little more compelling.  The narrator also did a wonderful job with all of the voices and various accents, and really made this book a winner in my eyes.
I was one of a few people that did not like The Handmaid's Tale at all, but I'm so glad that I decided to follow someone else's recommendation regarding this book, and give her another try.  If you're a fan of her work, by all means, pick up the actual book, but if you have never read anything by her and aren't sure if you will enjoy her writing style, the audiobook version is your best choice.  It's a virtually painless way of getting the full effect of the book, and makes the not so interesting parts much easier to take.  I have copies of Cat's Eye and The Robber Bride at home, but I think I will definitely see if I can get ahold of the audio versions to start me off.  In my opinion, there's a little something in there for everyone - what a great book!  I can see why it won the Booker Prize.  If you're thinking about reading it, by all means, pick it up!