Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
Book of the Week: 2 May 2020
My 1979 copy with cover illustration by Graham Humphries
In a world where magic is common, but not everyone is a witch or warlock, there is a government department responsible for magic. An orphan boy and his sister find themselves living in a castle, where everyone has the power of magic, under the tutelage of a powerful enchanter. No, this is not Harry Potter; it is the first published book in the Chrestomanci series written by Diana Wynne Jones in the 1970s. (The published order is not the same as the chronological order as the author later wrote prequels).
Eric Chant (also known as Cat) and his sister Gwendolen have been looked after by their neighbour, Mrs Sharp, after the death of their parents in a tragic paddle steamer incident. Gwendolen, a talented witch, wants more out of life than mixing with the second-rate fortune-tellers, warlocks and certified witches in the neighbourhood. Cat is quite happy where he is. He has no magical skills and is fond of Mrs Sharp. One day, when he comes home from scrumping apples, he finds a tall, smartly-dressed stranger in the kitchen. Gwendolyn has written to Chrestomanci, who knew their parents and to whom they had a family connection. As a result, Cat and Gwendolen are to go and live with him in Chrestomanci Castle as part of his family. Cat is dismayed but Gwendolyn is triumphant. Her triumph is short-lived when she learns they are not to be taught witchcraft for some time. She makes life horrible by using her magic to play pranks on all the castle’s inhabitants. These get more elaborate the more Chrestomanci either ignores them, or puts them to rights the next day. How far will she go and will Cat do anything to stop her?
Diana Wynne Jones had a gift for creating inventive magic with everyday, practical detail that makes it seem wholly believable. Her writing was also funny. The pert, bossy and manipulative Gwendolen is a colourful character and it is refreshing, in a magical fantasy, that the forces of destruction are not all-powerful enchanters but people with petty failings.
If the idea of starting this series is appealing, here is a guide that will help with reading order.
An item that is integral to the plot. To find out how, read the book
Available at: https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co528003/bryant-mays-book-matches-over-100-years-of-goo-book-matches
First edition cover from 1977 illustrated by Ionicus