Wynne's trademark magic creates a light fantasy read
Cat, who is in training to be the next Chrestomanci, meets an unusual girl, Marianne, who is quite powerful, but whose family is up to something. Together and with the help of Chrestomanci, they unravel the mystery. Also, Marianne gives Cat a mysterious egg, which he hatches. Although slower than her other books, this one is filled with Jones' trademark magical writing that is just so brilliant, clever, and fascinating. Grade: A-
A very good Chrestomanci story
'The Pinhoe Egg' is the latest must-read book in the Chrestomanci series that blends the well-known and loved characters from 'Charmed Life' with a new colourful gallery of witches, enchanters and magical creatures.
Diana Wynne Jones gives all her usual best to make the book a good read - there is of course magic, humour, lots of cats, some cheerful, and some wicked characters topped up with the inimitable big man - Chrestomanci himself. As usual, too, the story focuses rather on the children, with maturing Cat Chant and a new character Marianne Pinhoe among others, growing up to their gifts and building self-confidence to use their skills.
But there is also some new quality to it that was either not present or no so clear in the previous books. Here the magic is more connected at the grass roots, and more in the balance with the rest of the world, taking in the good with the bad, learning to tolerate and respect the other, invisible universe. This shift in the worldview reminds me strongly of Ursula Le Guin's 'The Other Wind', and as such may appeal also to an older audience.
Without spoiling the story, Wynne Jones is also quite critical of blind, unquestioning faith and might spark a controversy or a lively debate among some readers, making the series even more interesting.
Highly recommended.
What a fun book!
This charming story with intriguing elements of fantasy and an engaging cast of characters will keep readers in stitches of laughter at most unexpected moments. Rivaling the Hatfields and McCoys in rebellious bickering, the Pinhoes vs. the Chrestomancis are feuding enchanter/witch families, and it's best to keep that a secret from ordinary folk! The egg found in the Pinhoe's attic is not the main character. Each character in the entire cast conglomeration are no more important than the other. All are well-fleshed, endearing and easily remembered--and all share the spotlight in this fun romp through typical family antagonisms ranging from what to do when your daughter wants a horse, and what to do with the horse when she doesn't want it when she gets it, to what do four grown sons do with their aging mother who is failing in health and going a bit mad, but still insists on living in the old homestead unassisted, and by virtue of being the matriarch of the clan still throws her now lopsided spells around? Intertwined with magic askew, the hilarity will carry the reader easily through the 515 not-too-dense pages. This is number six in the Chronicles ofChrestomanci, but can absolutely stand alone.
DWJ does it again!
"The Pinhoe Egg" is the latest in the line of DWJ's Chrestomanci books. And like most of the others in that line, it is wonderfully charming. Despite what the first chapter might lead you to believe, this book focuses primarily on Cat Chant, although the doings of the Pinhoes are never left waiting on the back burner too long. Nevertheless, Marianne Pinhoe does play a major role, and she is sensible, intelligent, and quite realistic. The other children show up briefly, Chrestomanci and Millie play a larger role than in "Charmed Life" (possibly because Cat is no longer avoiding him), and the story seems to be set either just after "Magicians of Caprona" or the story with Cat and Tonino in "Mixed Magics". (I haven't read either yet.) The explanation of just why Ulverscote has been doing what they did (I won't give it away more than that) seems kind of...rushed? There isn't a lot of evidence presented as to how Chrestomanci figures everything out--he just plops out this detailed theory of what happened years ago and we are expected to either believe it on his word or find ourselves agreeing with the angry and foolish Farleighs and Pinhoes.
In this book DWJ delves a little bit deeper into the different kinds of magic in her worlds, exploring herb magic and "dwimmer" (dweomer), the magic inherent in all living things, particularly elementals and other similar creatures. The ending also sets up some interesting possibilities for Cat's future as the next Chrestomanci.
Is Marianne being set up as Cat's future love interest ala Millie and Christopher? Who knows. But Cat has been my favorite character since the first book, so I just want to see more with him in it.
She's Back!
Though I loved the first four chrestomancis, I just didn't like Conrad's Fate. I think I hated the main character or something. But it left me really disappointed, so it took me a while to get around to trying the Pinhoe Egg. Have no fear, it was wonderful! Everything that's best about Diana is here. It's hilarious, of course. Chrestomanci is the same as ever. The kids are sweet. It's nice to see how Janet is fitting in with her new home. Cat is sweet as ever, and does some nice soul-searching and growing-up. The newcomer Marianne is fun as well, and Gammer is simply hilarious. The general theme of the book - mostly through Cat and Marianne - is kids taking charge and not letting grownups beat them down when they know the grownup are wrong. And the idea of dwimmer, and hidden-away fairies, and the sad story of the old clans, was really creative and interesting. I nearly finished it all in one evening. A wonderful addition.
(24 reviews)
