Would anyone like to enthuse/reminisce about Diana Wynne Jones with me?

[SarahAndQuack]

I've just curled up with 'A Tale of Time City' and am remember how much I loved all her books when I was little. I really enjoy how as an adult they still 'work'. I especially like all the little in-jokes that you don't necessarily pick up on as a child.

Anyone else? Do you have a favourite?

Oh where do I start! Deep Secret, Dark Lord of Derkholm and Year of the Griffin, (my phone autocorrect just suggested "Howl's" which is spot on too), Sudden wild magic. Never quite got the Dalemark books in the same way. I really liked the Islands of Chaldea though it was bittersweet. A friend of the family wrote a lovely list of books that she recommended and "I basically read anything by DWJ - fantastic" set me up for a lot of reading pleasure. I also can't wait to be able to read them to my son!

Lambbone The Time of the Ghost is disturbing, isn’t it? I think it’s partly how utterly uncaring the parents are, particularly the father. I believe DWJ based them partly on her own parents, which is a worrying thought. The whole thing with Monigan is deeply sinister, but so well done.

DWJ’s childhood was very like that of the girls in The Time of the Ghost: www.theguardian.com/books/2011/mar/27/diana-wynne-jones-obituary

Yes, and neglectful or downright abusive parents or parent substitutes are quite a feature of her work: see for example Dogsbody, Fire and Hemlock, Eight Days of Luke.

I have never read Dalemark Quartet so going to get that on my kindle next.

I remember loving Joan Aiken books but can't remember any of them now. I've probably got a load somewhere in my parents' loft!