Magic is all over the place in this story:
That neighbourhood was full of witches. People in the same trade like to cluster together. If Cat came out of Mrs Sharp's front door and turned right down Coven Street, he passed, besides the three Accredited Witches, two Necromancy Offered, a Soothsayer, a Diviner, and a Willing Warlock. If he turned left, he passed Me Henry Nostrum a.r.c.m. Tuition in Necromancy, a Fortune-teller, a Sorcery For All Occasions, a Clairvoyant, and lastly Mr Larkins' shop. The air in the street, and for several streets around, was heavy with the scent of magic being done.
If Cat had been any good at all at magic he could have taken graded Magic exams, but he is no good at magic. He isn't even much good at music:
He was practising away one evening, when Gwendolen stormed in and shrieked a spell in his face. Cat found, to his dismay, that he was holding a large striped cat by the tail. He had its head tucked under his chin, and he was sawing at its back with the violin bow. He dropped it hurriedly. Even so, it bit him under the chin and scratched him painfully.
'What did you do that for?' he said.
Well, I don't think Gwendolen appreciated Cat's attempts to play the violin, but you can see that just because you live in a fantastic world where there is lots of magic, that doesn't necessarily mean that you will have a wonderful big sister.
Gwendolen is obnoxious. She is bossy and conceited, and unfortunately, she is a very gifted witch. Also, unfortunately, she is all Cat has got, since their parents drowned in a boating accident.
When the great enchanter Chrestomanci takes the children to live with his family in the grand Chrestomanci Castle, both Cat and Gwendolen assume that is because of her astonishing powers. But Gwendolen is disappointed to find that magic is forbidden outside of lessons. She feels Chrestomanci is not paying her enough attention and she determines to get herself noticed!
Poor Cat feels like a fish out of water, but perhaps he isn't really quite as useless as he imagines ...
What do you think about ‘Charmed Life’?
Éireann, girl, age 12, from Co.Wicklow, Ireland, on 8th October 2005. Rating: 10/10
This book is top of it's class!!! DWJ is such an amzing writer who pulls you in and won't let go until the end (I didn't mind being pulled in!!)! The story was so magical, unique and fantastic that I didn't want it to end!!!! READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!!! Also read all the other book in the Worlds of Chrestomanci as they are equally brilliant!! I also loved Howl's Moving Castle, another one of Ms.Jone's fine books!! A must read!!
steph, girl, age 15, from Nevada, United States, on 17th July 2005. Rating: 10/10
Diana Wynne Jones is one my favorite authors and in my opinion, 'Charmed Life' is her magnum opus. The story is fresh, funny, and believable, and it was a very welcome change from Harry Potter which is the authoritative 'magic' book these days. I really felt for Cat and even though Gwendolen was mean and selfish, I felt the same dogged attachment for her that Cat had in the book. This is because Mrs. Jones has that rare skill to put you inside her characters. I won't give away too much but I loved the way Jones set up the series of Alternate Worlds and used the same concept of Chrestomanci in all 4 books, which are otherwise completely different. I encourage you to read this book and, if you enjoy it, read the rest of the Chronicles of Chrestomanci.
annalise, girl, age 12, from fonthill, Canada, on 3rd November 2004. Rating: 9/10
This book was great! there was magic on every corner! I thought this book was a great read and would reccomend it to everyone!!
Read all 4 comments about Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
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If you enjoyed meeting Chrestomanci you will be pleased to hear there is a whole series:
Diana Wynne Jones has written other books too. You might like to read her brilliant latest book which I enjoyed enormously:
If you like books about magic, you are really spoilt for choice, but you might like to have a look at the Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell:
There is the Dead Brilliant series by Debi Gliori which might interest you:
And one of my favourites by Charlotte Haptie:
You could also have a look at anything by Stephen Elboz:
