Review:
Conrad’s fate by Diana Wynne Jones
London: Harper Collins Children’s Books, 2005
ISBN 0-00-719086-7
Conrad's Fate, a Chrestomanci Book, is a welcome addition to Diana
Wynne Jones’ memorable fantasy series. It is possible to start with
this book without reading any of the others in the series as the story
will stand alone. Sufficient information is provided about parallel
universes, Chrestomanci and Christopher Chant for the reader to feel
comfortable.
The hero of this book, 12 year old Conrad, lives at home in
Stallchester with his Uncle Alfred, who practises magic and sells
books, his feminist author mother and his sister Anthea. When Anthea
leaves home to go to university, he is left to do all the household
work. He desperately wants to go to high school, but his uncle
persuades him that he must find and destroy the evil magician who is
causing magical side effects in the town. His uncle insists that he has
really bad karma because he has failed to kill this evil person in a
past life. Conrad leaves school to go up the mountain to Stallery
Mansion to work as a domestic and uncover the magic doer. This is
supposed to rid him of his evil karma and keep him alive. When he
arrives at Stallery Mansion he meets Christopher, a strong, confident
boy. Both of them are accepted to work as “Improvers”, training to be
valets. However strange things begin to happen when the two boys start
to look for Millie, Christopher’s friend.
The author keeps the action moving in this is exciting adventure
fantasy. The use of magic, and the concept of parallel universes that
shift, where things like book titles change, and where people and
animals can be moved in and out, is fascinating.
Diana Wynne Jones is a master at using subtle humour and word play.
There are many situations that will have the reader chuckling with
delight. The servant master scenarios provide much of the fun in the
story. For example Conrad and Christopher are described as “living
pieces of furniture” when they are training to be valets and the
description of the way they work out how to dress as Improvers is
hilarious.
The author has drawn engaging characters that should appeal to the
reader. Conrad is equally as well portrayed as Christopher and both
work together to find Millie and to improve Conrad’s bad karma.
This book will appeal to readers who are already familiar with the
Chrestomanci series, but it is also one to suggest to readers who have
liked the Harry Potter stories. Highly recommended.
Pat Pledger
Home
© Pledger
Consulting, 2007