Clever characters.

[benfet]

I wrote an essay about Matilda by Roald Dahl and now I have to write another essay about two books that have similar characters. Furthermore, the author has to be English and I can't find a book about a character similar to Matilda. Could you recommend me any book?

[kev67]

Marmalade Atkins. She was a naughty, tomboy character. There was a children's programme in the 80s, but Wikipedia says it was based on a book called Marmalade and Rufus by Andrew Davies.

Another possibility is Arabel. She had a pet crow called Mortimer. There used to be lot of stories about them on Jackanory when I was a kid. I see there are several Arabel books by Joan Aiken on Amazon. I cannot remember whether Arabel was particularly clever or naughty, but the crow was naughty.

[arabicadmirer]

It's not very original but Hermione from the Harry Potter series does have a lot of Matilda's traits. She is "bookish" as well as being courageous in dangerous situations.

You could also make the argument that Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice fits a lot of them. She's intelligent, a reader and conforms to her own beliefs without being influenced by those around her.

I love Matilda and have done since I was very young. I think I have at least three copies of the book now including one I permanently borrowed from the library. Oops.

[ennison]

Does it have to be a female character or just a clever character? Try a book by Philip Reeve called Goblins

[scottw]

Lyra Belacqua from His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman.