Witch of Clatteringshaws (Wolves of Willoughby Chase) [Hardcover]

Joan Aiken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2005 | Series: Wolves of Willoughby Chase

Malise, the Witch of Clatteringshaws lives in a disused Ladies Convenience at the end of a coach park in Caledonia overlooking Loch Grieve (inhabited by Hobyahs and a monster). In the prologue to the story, Malise discovers a newborn infant in the rubbish bin in the coach park. Down in London Simon Battersea has inherited the throne of England and although accompanied by his friend Dido he is not happy with his lot. On hearing of other possible claimants to the throne and that the Witch may be able to help her, Dido departs to Scotland to follow the clues. Meanwhile England is invaded by the Saxon Wends and Simon also goes northwards with his army; all participants being reluctant to fight, the situation is resolved by a game of Hnefatefl between Simon and the Wendish leader (Simon wins). Everyone meets up in Clatteringshaws. Dido is successful in her hunt for a legitimate heir - Piers Crackenthorpe (the 'Woodlouse' thought to be drowned in the moat of Fogrum Hall in Midwinter Nightingale) and Simon hands over the realm with relief. Simon and Dido are free to live their own lives as they wish.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7 - In this latest installment in "The Wolves of Willoughby Chase" saga, Dido attempts to rescue Simon, now king of England, from that tedious role, by seeking out an alternate heir. She and her friend Piers set off to the remote village of Clatteringshaws to find Malise the witch, sister of Father Sam (former hermit, now Archbishop of Canterbury), who may be able to help with the search. While the combination of giant flying otterworms and an invading army of Wends that can be fended off by a sturdy game of hnefatefl (a Wendish board game) may strain the plot's credulity, Aiken somehow brings this story off with panache. Readers soon realize that her characters are just as amused by events as they are, swinging the story away from the ludicrous into a jolly romp of a fantasy. Similar to Gerald Morris's Arthurian legends in its dry, sarcastic humor, this tale is a quick read that resonates with many well-known elements of folklore and history, hallmarks of Aiken's offbeat yet satisfying fantasies. While not a stand-alone volume, Clatteringshaws will please those who have read earlier titles in this series; they'll be glad to continue with Dido and Simon's adventures. - Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-7. Dido Twite returns for another adventure in that alternate-history version of England, where her old friend Simon now serves, reluctantly, as king. In search of an alternate heir to the throne, Dido and her pal Woodlouse journey to Scotland, where they search for a royal lad abandoned there as a baby. They carry out their plan to its surprising conclusion, while Simon leads the English army and displays an unexpected knack for kingship. With elements reminiscent of Charles Dickens' novels, Andrew Lang's fairy tales, and Monty Python's sketches, the story romps to its satisfying ending. Readers familiar with the earlier books will enjoy references to past adventures, but newcomers can easily follow along. Though Aiken died in January, her work lives on. The Dido Twite series, which began in 1963 with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, is an outstanding example. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Cape Childrens (January 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0224070290
• ISBN-13: 978-0224070294
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,933,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joan Aiken (1924-2004) was the daughter of Pulitzer prize winning poet Conrad Aiken and started writing herself from the age of five. During her lifetime she published over one hundred books for children and adults, including the acclaimed Wolves of Willoughby Chase series. In the UK she received an MBE from the Queen for her services to Children's Literature.

This year sees the publication of a brand NEW story collection - The Monkey's Wedding - with previously unpublished material that shows Aiken on top form. This collection of funny, spooky, unexpected but classic Aiken stories has received wonderful reviews and will delight her readers. See below for details.

Her work continues to be adapted for film and television; she is established as a consummate storyteller,and recognized as one of the best loved authors of the twentieth century.

"The Wonderful World of Joan Aiken" is at www.joanaiken.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A subdued conclusion to a rollicking series, March 24, 2005

By 

Sherry Chiger "schiger" (New Rochelle, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Witch of Clatteringshaws (Wolves Chronicles) (Hardcover)

On its own, The Witches of Clatteringshaws is a fun, fast-moving, but not overly memorable book. But it's almost impossible to rate the book on its own--indeed, if this is a reader's introduction to the Wolves Chronicles, the book may seem close to nonsensical. But as the closing episode of the Wolves Chronicles, it's poignant primarily because it is the last in the series. Like its predecessor, Midwinter Nightingale, it reads more like a hurried outline than like a full-fledged, fully satisfying novel--the characters are sketched in shorthand, and places are given only the most cursory descriptions. It's almost as if Aiken knew she had one final deadline to beat. Personally, though, I wish the ending had been more conclusive--heck, I'd just like to know exactly how old Dido and Simon are by this point! Nonetheless, having started the series when I was a child, I look forward to introducing my daughter to Dido, Simon, Pa, Dutiful Penitance (remember her?), and the rest in a few years. Thank you, Joan Aiken...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conclusion to the Wolves Chronicles, January 13, 2005

By 

Elisa - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Witch of Clatteringshaws (Wolves Chronicles) (Hardcover)

With a mix of high adventure, gothic settings, mysterious monsters, and the now-familiar villians who plot to put an imposter on the throne of England, Aiken's Wolves Chronicles come to a whirlwind conclusion. Clearly conceived in tandem with the most recent book in the series, _Midwinter Nightingale_, _The Witch of Clatteringshaws_ features several characters and plot twists that span both books. The indomitable Dido Twite, one of the most spunky, resourceful, and well-traveled heroines of children's literature, sets off to Scotland to find a lost heir to the throne so that her friend Simon can gratefully abdicate. She and her friend Piers Ivanhoe le Guichet Crackenthorpe, also known as Woodlouse, encounter a socially responsible witch who rides a golf club, flesh-eating Hobyahs, and the abusive owners of a retirement home who also dabble in plastic surgery. Meanwhile, Simon piles the English army into two trains, gives a charmingly inept rendition of Henry V's St. Crispin's Day speech, and attempts to prevent a Wendish invasion. Action-packed though this story is, a thread of melancholy runs through it, as the characters dwell on the dying words of Saint Arling and whether anyone heard them. Especially poignant in light of Aiken's death last January, this story demonstrates how, like Dido's Pa's songs, art can cheer us along the way, defeat prehistoric fears, and help us understand the nature of life and death.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great ending to a great series, January 16, 2005

By 

Celine Benoit "with a heart of gold" (a gothic novel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Witch of Clatteringshaws (Wolves Chronicles) (Hardcover)

As much as I loved this book, it was a sad experiance to read the final page and know that there was no more to The Wolves Chronichles; that there could not be since Joan Aiken died last winter.
Dido Twite is back and better than ever (her grammar is even improving) in this latest installment. She is only one of many highlights. Rodney Firebrace, the not so funny court jester is one and Malise the titular witch who lives in a former Ladies' vespasion is another.
I would reccomend this book to people of all ages because only Aiken can tell a story that would keep adults hooked and not talk down to children.