Though she doesn't keep the best details of the trip, she does explain the very real events that took place. Matilda, unlike other children and even some adults, didn't fabricate events or exaggerate events for her own benefit. Her diary explains the perils of a scared little 13 year old, whom undenounced to her, would face death several times. Despite this, her soul didn't break, and she was able to escape death's clutches.