First Lines Friday: Matilda #fridayreads

One of my favorite opening lines from a children’s book – particularly as an adult – is this week’s gem:

“It’s a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.”

In case you couldn’t guess, this one is from British author Roald Dahl, whom you probably know as the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (RIP Gene Wilder, who passed away this week, and was most closely identified with his portrayal of the Willy Wonka in the film version of this classic tale.)

This line, however, is from a book called Matilda, which is about a girl genius.

Obviously, I’m all about the girl geniuses.

And since it is Roald Dahl Month, marking 100 years since the birth of the author himself, I’ve decided to highlight some of my favorite Roald Dahl lines from his various books throughout September.

Matilda is a fitting read for today, as I gear up to write a girl-power novella about a mad scientist and her horde of manbots during this weekend’s 3 Day Novel Contest. The tale of bookish young girl who manages to defeat the evil Headmistress Trunchbull, using not size or strength but her wits (and maybe some magical powers…), is the perfect way to get myself pondering ways to portray good vs. evil and might vs. right.

I will be re-reading it again today, in between brainstorming sessions for my novel, Manbots Attack!