Title: The Lives of Christopher Chant
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
The Lives of Christopher Chant is the second book of The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, according to the recommended reading order of the author. This books actually serves as prequel to the first, Charmed Life (reflection here). We get the boyhood story of the much-neglected Christopher who travels between parallel worlds in his sleep. These are no mere dreams as Christopher is able to bring physical mementos back from his wanderings. This ability proves useful to those with nefarious purpose. Christopher, though the son of powerful musicians, believes he has no magical ability during his waking hours. Somewhat predictably, he finds the truth to be quite different. Shades of Xanth here.
All of Jones's usual charm is on offer here. She's a wonderful world
builder and with her, it's nearly always multiple worlds in the same
story. Christopher's visit to our own dimension is brief and
terrifying. He nearly gets run over by a bus.
One can always count on Diane Wynne Jones for creating likeable characters, even among the baddies. My favorite this time is Tacroy, Christopher's morally ambiguous, cricket loving traveling companion. In fact, I've already cast him should there ever be a movie: Richard Ayoade, best known for The IT Crowd.
Great book. Great series. Great author.
I have not read this series but I adore Diane Wynne Jones. Her characters are quite wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLove The IT Crowd. My Daughter and I laughed our way through them.
"Have you tried turning it off and on ? "This is the internet" "It is so light".
cheers, parsnip and badger
The show isn't quite my speed but I do like the actor a lot.
DeleteSounds like something I might like.
ReplyDeleteIf I can make room to squeeze it in.
My daughter has read the entire series and swears the order doesn't really matter. Jones, though, did have a suggested order. Luckily, the first two books can be bought in a single volume: The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1.
DeleteXanth! Good memories. This sounds like an excellent book. I wonder--is it suitable for a voracious 7th grade girl? One who eats up books like they are ice cream?
ReplyDeleteMost definitely! My voracious ninth grade girl has loved them for several years. The Howl books are great, too - especially appropriate if she's a Miyazaki fan. I expect she'd still pick Jones as her favorite author.
DeleteSounds like a series worth exploring.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I know of your tastes, I think you'd like it.
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