Diana Wynne Jones
Legendary Fantasy Icon
American novelist, essayist, editor, and professor.
“I think we ought to live happily ever after.”
– Diana Wynne Jones, Howl’s Moving Castle
Early Life
Born in 1934 in London, England, Diana Wynne Jones spent her early years amidst the upheaval of World War II. Her family eventually settled in Essex, where she and her sisters grew up in near isolation, fostering their imaginations despite a strict and unsupportive household. Her difficult childhood and the absence of fantasy literature in her early reading profoundly shaped her future as a writer.
Career
Jones became one of the most celebrated fantasy authors of her time, crafting intricate, humorous, and deeply intelligent stories for children and adults alike. She published over 40 books, including The Chronicles of Chrestomanci and Howl’s Moving Castle.
Notable Works
The Chrestomanci series (1977–2006) introduced a multiverse of magical worlds, while Howl’s Moving Castle (1986) became a beloved classic, later adapted into a Studio Ghibli film. Other notable works include The Time of the Ghost (1981), The Homeward Bounders (1981), and Fire and Hemlock (1985), each demonstrating her signature wit and layered storytelling.
Death and Legacy
Diana Wynne Jones passed away on March 26, 2011, but her influence remains profound. She is remembered as a master of fantasy literature and her books continue to enchant readers, proving that her imagination and insight were truly timeless.
Bibliography
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- Changeover (1970)
- Wilkins’ Tooth (1973)
- The Ogre Downstairs (1974)
- Cart and Cwidder (Dalemark series, 1975)
- Dogsbody (1975)
- Eight Days of Luke (1975)
- Power of Three (1976)
- Drowned Ammet (Dalemark series, 1977)
- Charmed Life (Chrestomanci series, 1977)
- Who Got rid of Angus Flint?
- The Spellcoats (Dalemark series, 1979)
- The Four Grannies (1980)
- The Magicians of Caprona (Chrestomanci series, 1980)
- The Homeward Bounders (1981)
- The Time of the Ghost (1981)
- The Time of the Ghost (1981)
- Witch Week (Chrestomanci series, 1982)
- Archer’s Goon (1984)
- The Skiver’s Guide (1984)
- Fire and Hemlock (1984)
- Howl’s Moving Castle (The Moving Castle series, 1986)
- A Tale of Time City (1987)
- The Lives of Christopher Chant (Chrestomanci series, 1988)
- Chair Person (1989)
- Wild Robert (1989)
- Castle in the Air (The Moving Castle series, 1990)
- Black Maria (1991)
- A Sudden Wild Magic (1992)
- Yes, Dear (w/ illustrator Graham Philpott, 1992)
- Crown of Dalemark (Dalemark series, 1993)
- Hexwood (1993)
- The Tough Guide to Fantasyland (1996)
- Deep Secret (1997)
- Dark Lord of Derkholm (Derkholm series, 1998)
- Puss in Boots (1999)
- Year of the Griffin (Derkholm series, 2000)
- Mixed Magics (Chrestomanci series, 2000)
- The Merlin Conspiracy (2003)
- Conrad’s Fate (Chrestomanci series, 2005)
- The Pinhoe Egg (Chrestomanci series, 2006)
- Enna Hittims (w/ illustrator Peter Utton, 2006)
- The Game (2007)
- House of Many Ways (The Moving Castle series, 2008)
- Enchanted Glass (2010)
- Earwig and the Witch (w/ illustrator Paul O. Zelinksy 2011)
- The Islands of Chaldea (2014)
