ABOUT THE BOOK
Charmed Life is a juvenile/young adult book by British author Diana Wynne Jones. Published in 1977, CL is the first of Jones’ books to feature the character Chrestomanci (AKA Christopher Chant), who has since reappeared numerous times for further adventures taking place both before and after the events of CL.
Although Chrestomanci is an important character, CL is mostly told from the point of view of Eric "Cat" Chant, who, soon after the death of his parents in a steamer accident, is sent with his older sister Gwendolen to live at Chrestomanci’s Castle. Cat and Gwendolen don’t know much about Chrestomanci or the strange Family who inhabit the Castle, but Gwendolen is determined to use the situation to further her considerable talents as a witch. Cat, who has always clung to Gwendolen to survive any situation, is content to continue doing more of the same; but Gwendolen is headed for a place where Cat can’t follow, and Chrestomanci is going to have his hands full keeping up with the two of them when things get desperate.
Charmed Life is a pretty innocent title for what is actually one of Jones’ slightly darker books, particularly where the relationships between the characters are concerned. Of course there is still the requisite amount of clever British quipping, intriguing worlds, and mysterious motives to uncover; but the stakes are quite high, and the ending leaves you wondering just what happens next, now that this world has been turned upside down….
