Comments on: Review: Changeover, Diana Wynne Jones (a book you will probably never read)

By: jeremymlad

jeremymlad — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 04:51:16 +0000

I also have one of these rare copies and have just begun it, as I took a hiatus after her passing, and haven’t read one for three years. It’s now time again, and this year I’m going to be reading them all in chronological order, starting with her true first, and I love it very much and am not even halfway through it yet. There *is* a whole lot of what I came to see as her Jonseiness throughout my years as a devotee. It’s delightful to have this “new” book to read and have it feel so familiar.

By: Gertrude

Gertrude — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:31:13 +0000

Exactly true about Jones’ ruthlessness. So many writers (especially fantasy) get carried away being sentimental and flowery and romanticise things to the point where it gets disappointing and at worst, embarrassing. Though I think sometimes DWJ’s horror of sentimentality might go too far (okay, I am borrowing this horror from Polly’s experiences in Fire and Hemlock, assuming that it was inspired by DWJ’s personal beliefs) it’s certainly refreshing.

Something else I find interesting is how people always seem to be extreme fans of DWJ, rarely lukewarm about her. Maybe it’s because her writing style is so unique. (and loveable!) (I am one such extreme fan!)

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:23:57 +0000

In reply to Words for Worms. Aw, thanks! I shall carry on! :p

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:23:46 +0000

In reply to Kristen M..

Totally! Totally fine.

She wouldn’t have loved me, although you’re sweet to say so. I would have been all tongue-tied and awkward, and she would have thought I was boring. When really I would just be speechless with admiration.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:23:09 +0000

In reply to Beck. Aw, only a few years ago? I remember when I first discovered her -- I didn't go on a binge though. I tried a few of her books and loved one, hated one, and disliked one reasonably much, so it took me a while to circle back around to her. Oh how I love her now though.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:22:25 +0000

In reply to samantha1020. Yes! Yes! Come by my blog and ask me for suggestions. Comment on any post you like and ask for suggestions, and I will give them to you with alacrity. I love telling people what Diana Wynne Jones books they should read next.

By: Words for Worms

Words for Worms — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 02:11:50 +0000

Okay. I feel the need to mention that the tags on this post are nothing short of hysterical. Carry on.

By: Kristen M.

Kristen M. — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 01:01:16 +0000

One day I will come visit you and sit in your home and read your copy of Changeover, okay? 🙂 I’m so glad that you were the one to get a copy of this. I think you’ve earned it with your devotion to DWJ. I think if she had ever met you, she would have loved you. 🙂

By: Beck

Beck — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:35:51 +0000

I am so unbearably jealous– this book sounds right up my alley. When I “discovered” Diana Wynne Jones a few years ago, I went through a fairly intense binge period that didn’t quite end with an intervention, but was probably close to that point.

By: samantha1020

samantha1020 — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:03:42 +0000

This is one of those authors that I feel like I MUST read at some point. Hence, I added Howl’s Moving Castle to my reader and plan on reading it for the OUT Challenge!. I think that when I finish I’ll come to your blog for other suggestions on books to read by her 🙂 I’m glad that you enjoyed this one so much. It just made me want to read her that much more!