Diana Wynne Jones
Paperback | Pages: 252 pages Rating: 3.97 | 28853 Users | 1163 Reviews
Point Containing Books Charmed Life (Chrestomanci #1)
| Title | : | Charmed Life (Chrestomanci #1) |
| Author | : | Diana Wynne Jones |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 252 pages |
| Published | : | 2000 by HarperCollins Children's Books (first published 1977) |
| Categories | : | Fantasy. Young Adult. Fiction. Childrens. Magic. Middle Grade |
Commentary In Pursuance Of Books Charmed Life (Chrestomanci #1)
I've just finished reading this to my daughter Celyn (11, too disabled to read for herself).It's a fun story of Cat and his witchy sister Gwendolin living in a world that's almost ours but where witches and wizards exist and are well-known.
Like an enormous wedge of literature it's one of those adventures that would be over really quite quickly and with very little fun if the man (or woman) at the top just sat down and told everyone what was going on. Dumbledore could probably have reduced the Harry Potter series from seven long books to three short ones if he just told Harry things he knew that Harry needed to know. But let's not dwell on that.
At first glance it's quite a light-hearted tale centred around the true motivation of the eponymous Chrestomanci, a very dapper master-wizard who takes the siblings into his castle and family. It's written with Diana Wynne Jones' customary skill, energy, and imagination, and very enjoyable.
As things develop elements of the story takes a surprisingly dark tone, but the best children's books always carry an edge, and this edge serves to add interest in the finale!
Those seeking a 'magic-system' will be disappointed. DWJ's magic is magic and she doesn't share the rulebook in any of the four novels we've read so far. But that's how I like it and I've no complaints.
I've ordered book 2 on the strength of this one, so that's my recommendation right there.
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Specify Books Conducive To Charmed Life (Chrestomanci #1)
| Original Title: | Charmed Life |
| ISBN: | 000710653X (ISBN13: 9780007106530) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Chrestomanci #1 |
| Characters: | Eric Chant, Chrestomanci, Christopher Chant, Gwendolen Chant, Janet Chant |
| Literary Awards: | Guardian Children's Fiction Prize (1978), Zilveren Griffel (1981), Preis der Leseratten des ZDF (1979) |
Rating Containing Books Charmed Life (Chrestomanci #1)
Ratings: 3.97 From 28853 Users | 1163 ReviewsEvaluate Containing Books Charmed Life (Chrestomanci #1)
A solid classic. The beginning of every Diana Wynn Jones book Ive read so far has always been so great, grounded in daily magical life, and this one shines most at the start. She makes getting to know the little routines of the characters in their towns into a riveting read.I see the Harry Potter paralells but theyre very different stories and worlds. Overall I didnt love this like I wanted to, but Ill go back for the next book. This one set up an interesting world, and the characters are allGwendolen was just as horrid as I remembered, but oddly I somehwat disliked Cat this time around - though nothing's exactly his fault, he is so terribly attached to his sister... who is horrid to him! I agree completely with Janet that it's infuriating Chrestomanci and the Family said nothing about what was going on to Cat. But most of all, I want one of those dressing gowns!
I am intensely jealous of DWJ's ability to weave such subtle hints throughout her impeccably crafted plots, of her wit, of her brilliant talent for creating unique and interesting magic, and of course her unforgettable characters. I GOTTA GO READ ALL THE OTHERS NOW!!!!
this is a winning intro to what looks to be an enjoyable children's fantasy series. the young Chant siblings exist in a world with magic, one of many such worlds - or, rather, dimensions. after a tragic accident that leaves them orphans, older sister and talented witch Gwendolen takes to learning magic the old-fashioned way, through some sort of hedge wizard, while so-passive-it-hurts younger brother Cat blithely assumes he is magic-free. soon they are taken to the castle of Chrestomanci, an
This book began with five stars for nostalgia (I read it ages ago, when I was just starting out on my fantasy-reading journeys).I docked 1.5 stars for the ending, which -- while it was foreshadowed well in little sprinkles throughout the book -- felt sudden and left quite a deus-ex-machina taste in my mouth.I docked another .5 stars for Chrestomanci himself; I remember such a larger-than-life character, but it seemed, upon my re-reading of the book, that we hardly got to know him at all. Nor do
A couple of things struck me on this re-reading. It hit me anew just how unflinching Jones is about Gwendolen - (view spoiler)[there is no redemption of her character and she is allowed to choose her own fate. We are supposed, I think, to assume she is just a 'bad apple' and Jones doesn't attempt to explore what may have caused this. (hide spoiler)]. She is unflinching about a lot of things that I think might be avoided in children's books today. At the same time, there is some compassion
My kids got super into this, trying to figure out why Gwendolen was so horrible and why Cat put up with it. Reading it aloud made me realize how deceptively simple it is, which sometimes made it seem like there was a lot of padding for such a small book, but it all came into play later. Which was hard to remember since reading it aloud took us a while.
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