SuitabookCharmed Life
Diana Wynne Jones
- Reading
- If the children’s move or Gwendolen’s frustration feels significant, pause to discuss what each sibling might want from their new situation. Revisit the conversation after seeing what the scheme changes.
- Themes
- Recognition and power: Gwendolen is described as a powerful young witch, but the castle’s witches refuse to acknowledge her talents; she responds by devising a scheme. The outline establishes her frustration and action, but not whether the story approves of or criticises her response.
- Siblings in a changed home: Orphaned siblings Gwendolen and Cat are taken by Chrestomanci to live at his castle; the outline does not describe how either child experiences the move. Their shared situation makes the sibling relationship relevant, but the outline does not establish how the story portrays their bond.
- Worth knowing
- The children are described as orphans and are taken to a new home by a stranger. Gwendolen’s scheme could disrupt whole worlds; how frightening or harmful events become is not established.