| Diana Wynne Jones [message #40690] |
Sat, 26 March 2011 18:33  |
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Diana Wynne Jones
Smooshes!
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40693 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Sat, 26 March 2011 18:56  |
 susancassidy
Messages: 21
Registered: May 2010
Location: Modesto, California |
Junior Member |
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I first read Charmed Life within a month of when I first read Beauty. Because I found you two at the same time, you and Diana Wynne Jones have always been linked in my mind. I'm glad to know you were so linked in life, and although I too grieve, I am so sorry for the more personal pain you, her family, and her other friends must endure.
Susan Cassidy
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40703 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Sat, 26 March 2011 21:36 |
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I don't have any good words for this. As of late, I've been trapped in some unfortunate circumstances and unable to log on, but the loss of someone so special demands attention. She was my "mission" author when I sold books. It was my personal goal to put one of her books in the hands of any age appropriate person who came to the store.
One of the best. Not just in the genre. One of the best. Period.
My heart goes out to Robin and those who knew her personally. I imagine she was as magnificent as her books.
I'm staying up tonight to re-read Fire and Hemlock and listen to Schubert string quartets. Who is with me?
The only thing better than singing is more singing. - Ella Fitzgerald
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40710 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 02:39 |
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I'm just so sorry. Not only is it a loss to the writing world, but a loss for all those who loved her. Really, there never are the right words. So, I'll just say--I'm sorry, and sad, that people have to die and leave us.
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40713 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 04:47 |
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KatydidNL
Messages: 35
Registered: March 2011
Location: The Netherlands |
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I am so sorry, Robin.
I loved Diana Wynne Jones' books. My brother, who was a reluctant reader, loved Howl's Moving Castle - it was one of the few books he read and re-read. That was my favorite of her books, too, I think. Though it's hard to pick.
What I loved best about her books was that there were no givens. You never knew, for sure, what direction the story was going to turn. For me, that meant true surprises...what a joy!
She made the world a better, richer place.
I wish you and her other friends and family strength.
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40721 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 08:10 |
SarasotaSeamstress
Messages: 5
Registered: March 2011
Location: Sarsota FL |
Junior Member |
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The first book of hers I ever read was Witch Week. I was gleefully surprised that someone would write a book about witches that was so lighthearted while still retaining depth and seriousness. That was probably twenty-five years ago; it was a gift from my librarian cousin, whom I adored. Just yesterday I picked up Volume II of the Chrestomancie Chronicles. I still keep finding books I've missed.
Diana is gone, but she left us with her stories, her humour, and her fabulous imagination. Now when I picture her, it'll be sitting at that eternity-table with Tolkein and Lewis, Austen and Alcott.
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40723 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 08:46 |
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Marina
Messages: 245
Registered: January 2009
Location: Near San Jose CA |
Senior Member |
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I was reading something else pertaining to either movies or dogs, and saw her name out of the corner of my eye. I read the headline, then the short article, and thought that Robin would likely be devastated.
I wasn't exactly leaping about, myself. Geraldine Ferraro also died in the last 48 hours, of multiple myelomas.
Why do I know of so many people, some of them I know IRL, die of this cancer? I'm a member of the US Marrow Donor Registry because of them. I may never be called, but I'm on there for four more years, when I turn 61 and am disqualified. There doesn't seem to be any such service living persons can provide for those with lung cancer.
I will treasure those books of DWJ's that I have. This year, I gave copies of A Sudden Wild Magic and Fire and Hemlock, among my favorites of hers. I had bought up some extra copies at some point, with the intent of giving them as gifts.
A. Marina Fournier
❦If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful ❧ William Morris❦
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40727 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 09:37 |
Susan in Melbourne
Messages: 184
Registered: October 2008
Location: Melbourne |
Senior Member |
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As readers we have all lost something with DWJ's passing, but you have lost a friend and that is a very different kettle of sadness.
I have just been prowling through her official fan-run website, and the sheer charm of the woman just shines through every part of it.
In Bulletin 1, she describes a party for children's writers at 10 Downing St, which is quite hysterical, and also awe-inspiring at the 'names' who were there. One of whom was one Peter Dickinson, described as one of her favourite people, who joined her in breaking out of the noise of the party to an anteroom, where he sat on the floor and chatted with the group - I could really see the scene she described.
I really recommend the time spent on reading the biography section in that website, too. I had to keep scraping my jaw off the desk as it lurched from amazing awfulness to more amazing awfulness (childhood, though - she was obviously blessed with a very happy marriage and adulthood). I laughed out loud at the encounters with Arthur Ransome and Beatrix Potter, both of whom loathed children (!) but the underlying sadness of her youth was very touching.
I think I'll be re-reading my DWJ collection in the next little while as my homage to her.
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40743 is a reply to message #40730 ] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 22:24 |
Sophie
Messages: 2
Registered: March 2011 |
Junior Member |
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I am sorry for your loss. I am selfishly sorry for the loss of one of my very favorite authors, who kept me company during a lonely childhood. We moved around a lot and I didn't really have any friends (or siblings) but I had Cat, Howl, Sophie, Christopher, Tanaquil, Vivian, Sirius, and so many more to keep me company. When I went away to college, they came too, and helped make me a little less homesick. When I first saw my now-husband's bookshelves (he wasn't my husband then!) and saw those old friends on them, I knew I had found a kindred spirit. I hope one day to introduce my future children to these wonderful companions.
I had been rereading The Lives of Christopher Chant when I heard the news. I think I will reread them all now, and the best homage I can pay is to introduce as many people as possible to her stories.
As a side note, it is fitting that I first heard the news from Robin's blog, because I read Beauty right around the time I read Charmed Life. I'm glad to know that two of my favorite authors were friends. It makes it all seem more... more of the tribe of Joseph, as Anne Shirley would say.
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40747 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Sun, 27 March 2011 23:58 |
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equus_peduus
Messages: 437
Registered: September 2009
Location: France |
Senior Member |
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Somehow, over the years, I had managed to avoid reading any of DWJ's books. I kept hearing her name, coupled with positive comments, but had never quite managed to read any of them. About a year ago, my sister handed me the first two Chrestomanci books, and told me I had to read them. So I did. I'm hooked. I haven't read all her books, but those that I have are completely delightful.
While I am, of course, sad for those of us who have enjoyed her books, I am very sorry for the personal loss of those who knew her. My sympathies.
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40760 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Mon, 28 March 2011 09:51 |
lecuyerv
Messages: 61
Registered: January 2011 |
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I'm so sorry for your loss.
-Victoria
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40768 is a reply to message #40690 ] |
Mon, 28 March 2011 20:53 |
Kim A
Messages: 117
Registered: August 2009
Location: Vancouver, Canada |
Senior Member |
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Ditto; thank you L.R.K. for those words. Also, Edna St. Vincent Millay, "I do not approve. And I am not resigned," seems singularly appropriate.
I believe the Vancouver Pegasi (formed to celebrate the Pegasus launch, and now meeting regularly) will have a Diana Wynne Jones celebration for our next meeting.
It was the only lullaby she would ever sing, and it was sung in Hell. --Laini Taylor
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| Re: Diana Wynne Jones [message #40798 is a reply to message #40727 ] |
Tue, 29 March 2011 16:08 |
sixpence
Messages: 49
Registered: August 2009 |
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I have been rereading her last book. And focusing on the image of the glass window in the door, and the one in the shed.
Such a beautiful metaphor for a glimpse into another dimension. And Damn - grieving that there will not be another book to anticipate.
sixpence
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Re: Diana Wynne Jones
