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nwhyte's review against another edition
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1844360.html
An excellent, thorough look at the works of the much-missed author, taking us through how Jones educates her readers subtly through her writing, which made me want to fill in the large gaps in my own reading of her works
An excellent, thorough look at the works of the much-missed author, taking us through how Jones educates her readers subtly through her writing, which made me want to fill in the large gaps in my own reading of her works
literaryheidi's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
sistermagpie's review against another edition
5.0
Great analysis and discussion of Diana Wynne Jones' books. Instead of looking at the books one by one or chronologically (which would take a while) the book breaks things down into certain ideas like time travel and portal fantasies, pointing out how Jones tends to make criticism part of the story and turn cliches on their head.
It made me want to go out and read all her books I haven't read and re-read the ones I had. There are so many characters and stories (and those stories are complex!) that sometimes I wished they were clearer in my mind when they were being discussed, as the author assumes that familiarity from the start. There's not much in the way of intros or synopsis for beginners. But this didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the books.
It made me want to go out and read all her books I haven't read and re-read the ones I had. There are so many characters and stories (and those stories are complex!) that sometimes I wished they were clearer in my mind when they were being discussed, as the author assumes that familiarity from the start. There's not much in the way of intros or synopsis for beginners. But this didn't interfere with my enjoyment of the books.
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