Diana Wynne Jones

[suzikettles]

I just read on another thread that Diana Wynne Jones died in March.

Guardian obituary

She was by far and away my favourite children's writer. I think The Ogre Downstairs was the first one I read, followed by The Spellcoats, Charmed Life. Power of Three et al.

When I was about 18 I rediscovered her and was (naively) amazed that although I'd stopped reading her, she hadn't stopped writing so I had about half a dozen years to catch up on.

I think Fire and Hemlock was my favourite and I took great delight as a bookseller recommending her reissued Crestomanci novels to children post-Potter.

I wasn't too keen on the couple of adult books she wrote, but her clever, witty, complex children's fiction is second to none. RIP.

Yes, DS and I have loved her books too. I had no idea she had had such a sad childhood - and then turned around and enriched so many children's lives with her books.

I heard about her death at the time. So so sad and I regulary reread her books. I think 'a tale of time city' was my favourite although I also think her 'tough guide to fantasyland hilarious!

My friend worked in a bookshop quite near to where DWJ lived so she'd come in from time to time.

Friend said she wore a huge cloak and was very fierce but very, very kind. Sort of like someone straight out of her books really .

I've just been talking to a lady called 0131trojan1 on another thread about books for dyslexic kids and we were discussing Barrington Stoke who publish books by famous authors with special fonts and paper for kids who have reading problems. The way I first found out about them was finding a DWJ book on amazon (www.amazon.co.uk/Enna-Hittims-Diana-Wynne-Jones/dp/1842993968) which they did in this way. I loved DWJ when I was younger and I think it is so nice that she did a book of this type as I can't imagine there's a lot of money involved. What a lovely lady and how sad that she is gone.

Oh that's so sad, RIP. I really enjoyed reading several of her books but Howl's Moving Castle was always my favourite.