So, I was going to write about other things today, but I just found out that Diana Wynne Jones has passed away. DWJ, as I fondly refer to her, will always be one of my favorite authors. Young Adult Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and DWJ was an excellent author. Just as the Chronicles of Narnia provided transitional support when we first moved overseas, I discovered DWJ when I moved back to the States for college. I was smitten. One of the things I appreciated most about her work was that usually, her plots and characters have darknesses to them that means even in a happy ending, there are losses as well. Frankly, I doubt there could have been a JK Rowling without DW Jones. (Once, when I was working on my college campus over the summer, I discovered a book of literary criticism of DWJ's work. I was in heaven.) DWJ attended lectures with JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis way back in the day. I thought that was so cool.
She also included literary allusions that tickled my English major snobby soul. In fact, in one of my all time favorites of her work, Howl's Moving Castle, a poem by John Donne is a key part of the plot. In each of her books, she slides in sly references to Lord of the Rings. Even in "other" worlds, she dealt with issues that are relevant to our own. Case in point, Darklord of Derkholm, which, in my opinion, is both a comic send-up of the high fantasy genre and a post-colonial critique. (Magical world has been turned into a theme park for Tourists from our world. The world's most inept wizard is designated the yearly Darklord. Hilarity and mayhem ensue. Also, there are griffins. GRIFFINS. This book makes me want to have griffin brothers and sisters.) I could go on and detail why I like every single one of her books, but that would take a lot of time. Each of her books has something in it that makes me laugh out loud every time. She has interesting, complex, and strong male and female characters. (Sophie, you are me. It's just true. Take care of Howl for me. Keep him in line.)
Good-bye, DWJ. I'm so sorry that you're gone. I wanted to have tea with you in Bristol.
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