7th March, 2007
The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones
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I honestly think that The Lives of Christopher Chant is an incredibly interesting book to read. This book is in the Chrestomanci series because a Chrestomanci appears in the story. If you don’t know what a Chrestomanci is, he is responsible for controlling the use of magic of all magically gifted people in his world.
Christopher Chant has 9 lives and is expected to be the next Chrestomanci. He detests the idea of it initially but soon began to show some exceptionally good leadership skills later when the present Chrestomanci was in need of help.
His parents had always left him to the care of nursery maids, who change very frequently. So, his parents don’t know much about his bizarre dreams. He has the ability to go spirit traveling while he’s asleep. At night, while sleeping, he’ll be traveling to other worlds, which he referred to as the Anywheres.
One day, his Uncle Ralph, who is his Mama’s brother, paid them a visit. He brought along a new governess for Christopher, whom he calls The Last Governess. He liked his Uncle Ralph immensely and was very willing to do anything for him to please him.
The Last Governess discovered that Christopher could spirit travel and bring back items from other worlds. She informed his Uncle Ralph immediately and his uncle got very excited. After that, Christopher was to go to the Anywheres and bring back some stuff as an experiment, like what his uncle said.
Of course Christopher was eager to go on with these experiments his uncle set up. Then, he met Tacroy, who was one of Uncle Ralph’s men, during his trips to the Anywheres. He and Tacroy became firm friends and enjoyed each other’s company. However, Tacroy kept warning Christopher not to play along with Uncle Ralph’s experiments anymore but Christopher did not understand what he meant.
You need to read Diana Wynne Jones’ books with full attention and take care to understand every word you read or you would not understand the story. I also notice she rarely mentioned the ages of her younger characters. She probably wants us to imagine whatever age we want them to be.
The story in this book took place at least 25 years before the story told in Charmed Life.
Buy The Lives of Christopher Chant (A Chrestomanci Book)
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Posted in Authors J, Fantasy, Titles L at 3:21 am | Comment (0)
6th January, 2007
Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
Australian books are not bad. There should be more books by Australian writers sold here. Looking For Alibrandi is an excellent book written by Melina Marchetta. It has even been made into a film in 2000 and I have only known about it today. Oooh, how I would love to watch it since I love the book so much!
The story is told from Josephine Alibrandi’s point of view. Josephine is of Italian descent and she lives with her mother, Christina. She is 17 years old and studies in St Martha’s. She is there on a scholarship. She has 3 best friends - Sera, Lee, and Anna, and they always hang out together. They are all very different from one another but still; they are the best of friends.
Josephine had the biggest crush on John Barton, a highly intelligent boy. But, there is another tough guy on the scene too. Jacob Coote is from Cook High. Josephine begins to fall more for Jacob and her feelings towards John start to fade. John seems to have problems and he confides in Josephine but I feel that she does not understand him. She is already absorbed in her own world with her own problems ranging from fights with Jacob to racism remarks from schoolmates.
After 17 long years, Josephine’s father, Michael Andretti, comes back. Initially, they were like oil and water and were determined not to have anything to do with each other. But as time goes by, they got to know each other and became good friends. She is also trying hard but unsuccessfully to pair up her mother and Michael since they are her parents anyway.
The saddest part of the book was where one of Josephine’s friends, (I won’t tell you who) committed suicide just before their Higher School Certificate exam. Josephine and her friends and enemy took it very badly.
In my humble opinion, this is a really good book and I hope there will be more Australian books in Malaysia.
Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Alessandra
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Posted in Australian, Authors M, Titles L, Young Adult Fiction at 7:09 am | Comments (4)
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