Matilda by Paul Gallico

Published by William Heinemann in London in 1970, “Matilda” is one of Paul Gallico’s most unusual and entertaining novels. First published in 1960, it tells the improbable but delightful story of Matilda, an Australian kangaroo with an extraordinary talent: she can box.

When Matilda is discovered by a washed-up boxing promoter and his fighter, she quickly becomes an international sensation. Travelling from Australia to England and eventually to the world stage, the boxing kangaroo causes astonishment, laughter and chaos wherever she goes. Beneath its comic premise, Gallico’s novel is a warm-hearted story of friendship, perseverance and believing in the impossible.

“Matilda” later inspired the 1978 film adaptation starring Elliott Gould and Robert Mitchum, helping to cement its place as one of Gallico’s best-known and most eccentric works. This 1970 Heinemann edition retains its striking original dust jacket with the bold pink title design against a brown background.

Condition – Very Good

Very Good hardcover in a Very Good unclipped dust jacket. The dust jacket shows only light shelf wear, with minor rubbing and slight wear to the corners and spine ends. The maroon cloth boards with gilt spine lettering remain clean and attractive. The text block edges are foxed, and there is further foxing to the endpapers and a few pages. There is a previous owner’s name in ink on the front inner cover, but the book is otherwise clean and firmly bound.