A Death In The Family | Diana Wynne Jones (1934 - 2011)

More sad news today. The very worst.

Via Neil Gaiman's Twitter, it seems Diana Wynne Jones has died, after a long battle with lung cancer. A children's author held in high regard by anyone with a lick of sense about them, she had a good, long innings, publishing - what? 50-odd books? And every one a delight...

Bad enough Brian Jacques passed on a little while back. He and Diana Wynne Jones were two of the authors I held closest to my heart, both back when I was a sprog and far beyond. Howl's Moving Castle and Castle in the Air in particular were reading experiences I'll never forget.

Feels like my childhood is fading faster every day, damn it.

...

Diana Wynne Jones was a fantastic author and a lovely lady, by all accounts. She was 76 years old when the end came, and I'm sure she'll be sorely missed.

I'm going to celebrate her life the only way I know how. Every other book on the To Be Read tower can take a raincheck; having procrastinated about it for more than a year, I'm putting everything else on hold to read Enchanted Glass this week.

Please, do join in if you're able. You can buy a copy here if you haven't already.


Or else, if you've some fond reminiscence about Diana Wynne Jones, or her work, it'd do all our hearts good if you cared to share in the comments.