Diana Wynne Jones, one of the most respected writers of fantasy for
younger readers, passed away recently after a two-year battle with
cancer. Jones was the author of more than 40 novels and several volumes
of short stories, and her work was often compared with that of J.K.
Rowling.
Diana Wynne Jones was born in London in 1934 and graduated from St.
Anne's College at Oxford. She married medievalist scholar John Burrow
in 1956, with whom she had three children. Her first novel, Changeover (1970), was for adults, but she switched to a young-adult format for her next, Wilkins' Tooth (1973, aka Witch's Business) and continued to target that audience with most of her work from that point onward.
Although her books were labeled as being for children, she quickly
attracted a large and loyal adult following because of her clever
plotting, sophisticated characterization and skillful prose. Her stories
deal with serious issues like sibling rivalry, racial prejudice and
violence without becoming pedantic or talking down to her readers.
Jones had a particular gift for blending humor into her work that was
obvious even early in her career. An ogre buys a chemistry set for his
stepchildren in The Ogre Downstairs (1974), and two children attract the attention of a mischievous witch in Wilkins' Tooth
(1973). She began to attract serious attention with the early volumes
in two series, both of which were more serious adventures.
The Dalemark novels, consisting of Cart and Cwidder (1975), Drowned Ammet (1977), The Spellcoats (1979) and much later The Crown of Dalemark
(1993), utilize plot devices from adult fantasy but feature two
children as protagonists. A fantasy realm is dominated by a repressive
government aided by dark sorcery, and the children, not entirely of
their own choice, find themselves in possession of the means to
overthrow the oppressor.
The Chrestomanci novels were even more popular, although not
constructed as a conventional series. The stories are set in various
alternate worlds where magic works, with a larger-than-life character
who watches over events in each and who becomes the unifying element. Charmed Life (1977) involves a young witch on a quest for knowledge, The Magicians of Caprona (1980) features another evil magician, Witch Week (1982) is set at a school in a world where magic is forbidden, and The Lives of Christopher Chant (1988) follows the adventures of a boy who can extract physical objects from his dreams. Jones added to the series with Conrad's Fate in 2005 and The Pinhoe Egg in 2006.
 |
| Anime Film by Studio Ghibli |
Howl's Moving Castle (1984) is probably her best-known
novel, basis for a Japanese animated movie. A young girl falls under a
witch's curse and has to perform certain tasks to regain her youth.
The first sequel, Castle in the Air (1990), is more of an Arabian Nights adventure. House of Many Ways
(2008) involves efforts to save a kingdom from itself and its enemies.
Despite serious themes, all three books are lightened by a good deal of
humor, which became increasingly effective as Jones' career progressed.
Non-series novels of note include Archer's Goon (1984), arguably her best novel, Aunt MariaDogsbody (1975) and The Homeward Bounders (1981). (Archer's Goon was adapted for television in 1992.) The Dark Lord of Derkholm
(1998) is the best of her more recent novels. The inhabitants of a
fantasy land stage elaborate mock battles to satisfy tourists but become
dissatisfied with the arrangement. The sequel, Year of the Griffin (2000), is another skillful blend of serious issues and humorous asides. Her most recent novel was Earwig and the Witch (2011). (1991),
Jones developed lung cancer in 2009 and discontinued chemotherapy the
following year. She passed away on March 26. In addition to her many
novels, she produced several volumes of short fiction. Jones received
the World Fantasy Award for Llifetime Achievement in 2007.
