Customer Reviews

The Lives of Christopher Chant (Chrestomanci Books)

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4 star:		(8)
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Diana Wynne Jones wrote the archetype that the Harry Potter series seems to be derived from in every aspect. These are funnier, constructed more carefully, and slightly more challenging. Though I haven't read these books in a while, they are the perfect foundation for cultivating a dry British wit in any 10-15 year old.

I would recommend all of DW Jones' books, but this series, Tale of Time City, and Witch week are probably her best.

The Lives of Christopher Chant is the first book I read by Diana Wynne Jones. After a few chapters, I couldn't put it down. It inspired me to read her other books.

This was the first of the Chrestomanci books I read, and it's still my favorite. Everything about it -- from the fantastic worlds that Christopher explores, to the final battle with The Wraith -- I don't know. It just sums up everything I like about Jones' books. ps. why does the cover art of this edition show Christopher as blond and the Chrestomanci as black haired? Was this early art for Charmed Life or did the artist not read the book?

The Lives of Christopher Chant, is humour at its very best! Wynne Jones is one of the best children's fantasy writers, she pioneered techniques still being used today. This is one of three books (Witch Week and Charmed Life) and gives us an understanding of the person behing the lofty and mysterious Chrestomanci. Its a very funny and tongue in cheek look at Christopher Chant's childhood, as he walks between "Anywheres" and gets caught up in illegal activities unknowingly. Wynne Jones puts plenty of laughs into it, from Christopher reading the Unabridged Arabian Nights, to the interesting Goddess who freezes Christopher in a wall until he agrees to her demands....and all the while, Christopher is losing lives.....

This is the first book of Diana Wynne Jones' that I've read and it got me completely hooked.I re-read it at least twice a year. She's still one of my favourite authors though i'm slightly out of the 9-12 range.(okay, by a few years.)

Even though he doesn't know it Christopher spirit travels every night. This happens in his dreams he goes to what Christopher calls the Place Between and the Anywheres. When his uncle finds out there are experiments that his uncle wants to do. But are they such honest experiments?
Of all of Diana Wynne Jones' books that I have read so far this has to be my favorite. I couldn't stop reading. A really well written masterpiece.

Despite his connections with the world of enchantment, Christopher Chant is more interested in cricket that magic. Blessed, or cursed, with nine lives and the ability to travel to spirit worlds in his dreams, Christopher isn't too thrilled to discover that he is destined to become the next Chrestomanci. Quite content with his dream worlds and performing tasks for his Uncle Ralph, Christopher is horrified when he is made to leave school and friends behind and travel to Chrestomanci Castle. Here he will learn the skills necessary for his future role, a role that Christopher definitely does not want. Soon the future Chrestomanci is battling a group of smugglers attempting to steal from the dream worlds....

"The Lives of Christopher Chant" is young adult fantasy at its best. The plot is magical and will keep you reading right up until the end. A little slow to get going, the action soon picks up and never stops. Anyone who likes adventure or fantasy should love this. I can't wait to read the remaining books in the Chrestomanci series.

"Oops!" The dragon spews fire all over Christopher and "There goes another life!" The Lives of Christopher Chant is a book about a nine-lived boy named Christopher. Every night he dreams he gets out of bed, walks around the corner of the fireplace in his room, and slips into a dreary world called "The Place Between." While conducting experiments there Christopher loses some of his nine lives.

Strong things about this book are that the story line moves along quickly, so your interest stays captive. You'll also appreciate how Dianne Wynne Jones's story line is unique. No other author has ever written anything like her "Place Between!" Her strong characters really pull the story together. Take "The Christomancy" (The Magic Governor) for instance. It seems like he was always a strict and stern man born to be "The Christomancy." However, he actually started out like Christopher, angry and bewildered.

More details would improve The Lives of Christopher Chant. Having additional information would make it easier to visualize Asheth's Temple, and why The Living Asheth (the girl who acts as a channel for the god Asheth's power) wanted to get away. More explanation about why silver stops Christopher from working magic would be helpful. Was it Christopher's dad's fault that silver stops him operating magic?

Rush out and buy The Lives of Christopher Chant, it's a page turner! The story line is new and interesting. It is a magic book, and you can never tell what's going to happen! I hope you don't lose your nine lives as quickly as Christopher Chant!

"The Lives of Christopher Chant" is set twenty-five years before the events told in "Charmed Life", but was published after it in 1988. Although many would avidly insist that you must read such books in publishing rather than chronological order (just look at the debate that rages over how you're supposed to read the "Chronicles of Narnia") I would suggest reading this before "Charmed Life." It will not ruin any of the surprises in that book, and instead drops little hints throughout (such as Chrestomanci's aversion to silver, and the name of his future wife) that will become that much more enjoyable when you read of them in "Charmed Life".

Set in a parallel world where magic is an everyday occurrence young Christopher Chant lives a rather dull life, caught between his neglectful and feuding parents. Thank goodness for his dreams, which allow him to wander about in secret worlds - and are so vivid he often brings back objects with him into waking life! But after he meets his Uncle Ralph things begin to get more interesting. Organising his young nephew to meet a man named Tacroy in his dreams, Ralph instructs Christopher on removing other, larger things from his dreams into the real world. Seeing it as a fun game, as well as liking both his uncle and Tacroy very much, Christopher plays along.

Between these exertions and visits to the young girl known as the Living Goddess, Christopher finds that life is not entirely what he wants it to be. With a longing only to become a professional cricketer, Christopher is horrified to find that he is destined to be the next Chrestomanci - the nine-lived enchanter in charge of governing magic in the worlds. Taken to Chrestomanci Castle, he is sulky and unco-operative - until the magic smuggler known as the Wraith grows in power, and the Goddess herself escapes into his world. Now Christopher is forced to take action...

A fascinating, intricate, quirky book that takes place over several years and draws on several genres (only Diana Wynne Jones can go from English boarding school to Arabian Nights to elfish and Biblical lore), this could possibly be my favourite in the Chrestomanci quartet. Once again, the author proves she is an expert at human behaviour, a fan of cats and someone who's not afraid to tackle large and important issues in children's books.

She's also wonderful at portraying the lack of self-awareness in people: one of the most memorable scenes is when Christopher makes an off-handed comment and is suddenly reprimanded by his teacher for years of selfishness and snobbery. Christopher is stunned, having no idea that he was so disliked - but on closer reflection he realises it's true. "The Lives of Christopher Chant" deeply explores these ideas - that we can't always follow the dreams that we want, that we must sometimes put others before ourselves, and we have a responsibility to use our natural gifts.

The characters are wonderful as usual - from Christopher himself who you watch grow as the novel progresses, to the spunky Goddess, to the terrifying cat Throgmorton and the amiable, elusive Uncle Ralph. Things are never quite what they appear in these novels, and it is as fun to explore the "Anywheres" along with Christopher. "The Lives of Christopher Chant" is a great read, and a wonderful place to begin the journeys into the rest of the Chrestomanci books.

If you are into fantasy, adventure, humor, or all of the above, you have to read The Lives of Christopher Chant. I own a copy of it and would highly reccomend it to everyone. If you have read this book and enjoyed it, you should also read Witch Week, Charmed Life, The Magicians of Caprona, and everything else written by Diana Wynne Jones.