Book Reviews: A Witch in Time

[vovat]

Witch Week - Another in Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci series, this one takes place on a Related World where magic is common but illegal. This confounds the great enchanter, and he has to figure out how such a world came into existence. It turns out that the reason involves Guy Fawkes, but I don't want to give too much away. It's a quite engaging tale, and I like that Diana is doing something different with each new Chrestomanci book, so they don't become too formulaic.


The Master Crafters of Oz - Philip Lewin's sequel to his The Witch Queen of Oz, which introduced Lurline's evil sister Enilrul and the significant role she played in Ozian history. She reappears in this one, but the focus is on a secret society made up of Ozites with creative but non-magical minds, and the history of the mysterious Dr. Nikidik. I appreciate how the society is revealed a little at a time, and while my continuity-obsessed mind isn't too keen on the reveal about Smith and Tinker (both of whom already turned up in earlier apocryphal stories), it's still clever. I found the Dreamland segments a bit superfluous and confusing, but otherwise it was a very enjoyable story, involving bits from many different earlier Oz books.

Comments

Who are "The Master Crafters of OZ"?

[(Anonymous)]

I'm glad you enjoyed my book, but I suspect there is something you missed. Who actually are, "The Master Crafters of Oz"? Keep in mind that I believe that L. Frank Baum was extremely influenced by his mother-in-law, Matilda Joslyn Gage, who is one of the preeminent feminists of her day. Take Care, Philip John Lewin flipglen@cogeco.ca

Re: Who are "The Master Crafters of OZ"?

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I gathered that the society included everyone who had useful skills that didn't involve magic, and that Jellia Jamb was the leader. Am I missing anything in this?

[(Anonymous)]

Alas, yes. Therefore, in a way, I was, perhaps, too vague in not wanting to be obvious. The Society of Master Crafters is a ruse.... a distraction. Look at who are the individuals who really are shaping Oz. Ozma, Dorothy, Glinda, Jellia (through her formation of the Society) and even Enilrul in a twisted way. These women are "the Master Crafters of Oz".

PJL