"It was years before Christopher told anyone about his dreams."

Well, you didn't think I could just read one of the two stories in my Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1 and put it back away, did you?  After I finished Charmed Life, the book sat on the coffee table calling out to me until I picked it up the other day and read The Lives of Christopher Chant.  I was so happy to be back in the imagination of Diana Wynne Jones and I loved this re-read as well.

This story is about a boy, obviously named Christopher Chant, who lives in a home where he is essentially ignored by his "Society" mother and absent father -- ignored until one day when his mother's brother comes over and takes an interest in him.  Really, Uncle Ralph's interest seems to be more in Christopher's ability to travel to other worlds in his dreams.  He gets him to meet a cohort there and they receive mysterious packages from various worlds and bring them back to their own world.  Luckily, Christopher's father chooses the right time to take an interest in him and sets him off down another path.  But it is up to Christopher to choose what is best for himself and to realize who truly cares for him and what his destiny is.

I had completely forgotten what a great story this is.  It was complicated and exciting and had great characters.  I breezed through it and am now jonesing for more Jones again!  Luckily, I have four more Chrestomanci books to re-read and I just bought some used DWJ books from Powell's for more re-reads.  This is going to be a great autumn!

Sneaking in another DWJ read,
K


Support our site and buy The Lives of Christopher Chant or The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Volume 1: Charmed Life / The Lives of Christopher Chant on Amazon or find them at your local library.  We own our own copy and will buy another one when we wear this one out.