Diana Wynne Jones Fans discussion

This is a new discussion topic for those of you who feel like sharing their thoughts or asking questions about some specific DWJ books they have just read/are reading if said books AREN'T current suggested readings. I

Feel free to contribute to it and tell us all about the lastest DWJ book you've read and the pieves you liked/didn't like about it :)

I've just read for the first time over the Ogre Downstairs and once more, I'm amazed at Jones' writing prowess and cleverness. She managed to sneak so much depth and humor in the book I completely forgot it was aimed at a younger audience. I like the very animated and chaotic sibling relationships the five of them have; it just feels so REAL.

Oh! I loved that one! :D It was so different, and I never cease to be amazed by how she takes these ordinary-type things and put this crazy twist on them... and I loved how things turned out! :) I loved the siblings too. :) And YES, so real!

Deborah wrote: "Oh! I loved that one! :D It was so different, and I never cease to be amazed by how she takes these ordinary-type things and put this crazy twist on them... and I loved how things turned out! :) I ..."

Totally! It felt so authentic!

I will likely be using this thread next month, as I hope to read a couple of her books I haven't read yet, during March Magics. :D

Deborah wrote: "I will likely be using this thread next month, as I hope to read a couple of her books I haven't read yet, during March Magics. :D"

Great idea! I'd do the same, but sadly, there aren't that many I haven't read yet :( I will definitely get ahead on the winter reading Charmed Life, though. It's my favourite, so it's nearly as good as a brand new DWJ book ;)

I've been listening to the 'Charmed Life' audiobook and boy, don't I ever get tired of this story! I must have read it at least 8 times and yet everytime something different strikes me about it. In my last two readings, I've been getting mixed feelings about the maids, Euphemia and Mary. As a general rule, I try to see the best side of 'blue collar' characters in novels because people are often prejudiced against them, but I find it harder and harder to find excuses for them. I mean, Euphemia turns out to be alright as the plot evolves, but Mary is just plain mean to my mind. Eric mustn't be older than 8. Who in their right mind talks up a grown adult to take revenge upon a child? And than comes to watch and sneer at the child like she does? I mean, I can understand intellectually that maids are people and can be petty too. It's just that I'm morally offended at the notion that such pettiness towards a child can remain unchallenged and unpunished by the nearby adults (some of which ARE her employers, for God's sake) - other than Euphemia saying at the end she'll "talk to Mary", as if it was just a slight misunderstanding.

Yes, the Victorian-ness of the household is astonishing. I wonder about magical people needing 'staff' without thinking up a great spell to get the toilets to clean themselves! I prefer the idea of maids and bootboys and housekeepers to slavishly devoted house elves though. And perhaps that's why Mary got away with being mean to a lonely and bewildered little boy, she's a character in her own way (wouldn't it be fun to rewrite the book from her perspective?). Christopher's parents I can feel less happy with for being mean to their own lonely little boy. But - Victorians were all about appearance, like the 1980's. I loved thinking about your comment and will think about it more - and probably reread the book with it in mind. Have you noticed how many people in Diana Wynne Jones' books are unkind, petty, selfish, or downright awful?

Angela wrote: "Yes, the Victorian-ness of the household is astonishing. I wonder about magical people needing 'staff' without thinking up a great spell to get the toilets to clean themselves! I prefer the idea of..."

Yes, I believe it was on purpose too - Jones' characters were never archetypes, but complex people with flaws, just like people are in real life. I mean, many authority figures in her books are objectively bad, but never in a standoff-ish, evil way - they're just selfishly human, for the most part. If the story was to be told from their point of view, they probably wouldn't see themselves as bad guys. Some would probably fancy themselves victims too - just like people do in real life. And her main characters are never perfect, either. It makes such contrast with a lot of books out there.
It's one of the things that make Jones' books such a marvel to re-read. Her understanding of human nature and of the intricate ways even the smallest of events can have big consequences in the end when added up give her stories far more depth than a great many 'adult' novels out there.

Excellently put !

I've just re-bought Luke spurred on partly by reading the Wikipedia page for Neil Gaiman's American Gods. I remember reading it as a child and not going back to it like I did her other stories. I'm curious as to whether I just didn't understand what was going on at the time, and it's high time I gave it another chance.

Did you leave i.e. it... now as an adult?

It's good. It's weird, and it starts out as a kind of mild fantasy and the second half is all full-on questing.
I definitely enjoyed it more than I did as a kid, but I'm not sure why, since it's clearly written for younger readers.

I'll need to look up Luke , I just finished re-listening to Conrad's Fate . I love the upstairs/downstairs dynamics as well as the glimpse of Christopher through Conrad's eyes. As usual, I had a case of Diana Wynne Jones withdrawal upon finishing it. So I'm consoling myself with Blandings Castle and Wodehouse. Not the same, but another favorite author who has a lovely sense of humor.

Hayley wrote: "I'll need to look up Luke , I just finished re-listening to Conrad's Fate . I love the upstairs/downstairs dynamics as well as the glimpse of Christopher through Conrad's eyes. As usual, I had a ..."

Conrad's Fate is the last one I re-read and I agree!! Ooh, yes, Wodehouse is fabulous. :D