Q: What was your favorite children’s book?
A: I was a very introverted, socially awkward child (this has not changed, although I am no longer a child), and I found my passion for reading very early. Since I read practically nonstop, this is both a tough and easy answer, but I have to say my favorite childhood book is Matilda by Roald Dahl.
The idea of a little girl sitting alone in a library surrounded by books and a bemused-but-rolling-with-it librarian appealed to me, along with the thought of that little girl being super incredibly smart and developing telepathic powers because of her unused brainpower. Of course, I am nothing like Matilda save for my love of books, and even there my tastes run towards genre fiction instead of the classics.
No book is entirely separate from the author, however, and I was heartbroken to realize Roald Dahl was a massive anti-Semite and all around deeply unpleasant person. That being said, Matilda holds a special place in my heart, while simultaneously the author can kick rocks…hopefully that is acceptable to say here.
Laurel Beckley’s story “Tell the Crows I’m Home”
in Metaphorosis Friday, 22 October 2021.
Subscribe now for e-mail updates!
