Customer Reviews

Witch's business

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"Witch's Business" (also called "Wilkens' Tooth") is one of Diana Wynne Jones's first published books, and it shows. While those with no knowledge of what comes later in this gifted author's realm of witches, wizards and magic will find this book a pleasant read, those who are already initiated and know what the word "Chrestomanci" means and how a Castle manages to move about a countryside might be a tad disappointed.

Short on pocket money, Frank and Jess decide to open a business known as Own Back, in which they seek revenge on past wrongs for their clients. Secretly they hope to find a way to punish the neighbourhood bully Buster Knell, and so it is a grim task when they find he is their first client. His demand? That they remove a tooth from Vernon Wilkins, the large boy that did the same to him. But this job goes horribly wrong when a simple tooth creates more unwelcome employment for them: two strange little girls who want their house back, Buster Knell's entire gang, and even the strange Biddy Iremonger, who is certainly a witch!

Components of Wynne Jones's style is still intact - her quirky way of speaking (newcomers might be confused at the quite literal 'colouful language' that Buster uses) and her intricate melding of several plots and people. But I feel that had she written it today, there would have been deeper reasoning behind Biddy's revenge tactics, more Own Back business for Frank and Jess, an explanation behind the "good eyes" that Jess is given, and a more sophisicated plot for finally getting rid of the evil witch. However, "Witch's Business" is humourous, interesting, and serious enough for Wynne Jones fans to enjoy and compare with her later books (I saw touches of "Time of the Ghost" and "Black Maria" in the plot) and just as good for new readers to find a new favourite author. They're the lucky ones, gifted with the knowledge that from here, Wynne Jones's work just gets better!

Two children start a "revenge" business to make pocket money, unaware that a real-life witch is already running such a business and doesn't appreciate the competition. This is Diana Wynne Jones' first book, and most of the elements of her style are clearly evident. While it doesn't compare to "Charmed Life" or "The Nine Lives of Christopher Chant," it's a fairly good read.

From the previous review I think this was the book published in the UK as Wilkins Tooth. It's a fun story about two children who run a 'Revenge Service' to make some pocket money. As you would expect in a childrens book the scheme backfires. It reminds me of 'Ogre Downstairs' as it's set in an apparently normal town where extra ordinary events occur. I'm not sure why it's been out of print for so long; many of the issues surrounding some bullies in the story could be helpful to schools today.

Diana Wynne-Jones' first book, "Witch's Business" (originally title "Wilkins's Tooth," admittedly a more appropriate but weird title) comes back into print in the US at last. It has flaws more pronounced than Jones' later books, but is still an entertaining fantasy with hints of her present greatness.

Frank and Jess's dad stops their pocket money when they accidently break a chair. Desperate for money (especially since Frank owes the vicious bully Buster Knell), they begin "Own Back Limited." Their first customer? Buster and his gang. Buster has had a tooth knocked out by Vernon Wilkins, and wants the Own Back kids to knock out one of Vernon's, as payment for Frank's debt. When they tell Vernon, he gets a baby tooth from his little brother (so it's still "Wilkins' tooth"), and all seems to be right with the world at first.

The problem is that soon a pair of peculiar little girls insist that the Own Back kids do something nasty to Biddy Iremonger, a weird old lady -- because they say she put a spell on the younger girl. At first Frank and Jess won't. But when Vernon's little brother becomes horribly ill, they discover that Biddy really IS a witch. And what's more, she's not too pleased about their little business...

This was Jones' first book, and it shows. There are some problems that were ironed out in her later novels, but there is also a sprightly unself-conscious quality to it. She builds up the menace of Biddy, making you wonder if she really is a witch at first, then revealing it in a matter-of-fact way that makes you feel almost as shocked as Jess and Frank.

Unfortunately, there are some distracting parts of the book -- the G-rated profanity of the bullies ("eyesballs in salsa"?) isn't particularly convincing. And the animosity of some of the characters is sort of brushed away and not really dealt with again again. And the supporting cast aren't as well-defined as her later characters are; they tend to blur together at times.

Frank and Jess are acceptable lead characters -- they seem a little too alike at times, although they become much more different by the last part of the book. Buster is a by-the-book bully, but one who thankfully is somewhat redeemed. Vernon is a likable guy, and Frankie, Jenny and Martin are somewhat more anemic.

Despite its flaws, "Witch's Business" is still a clever little fantasy mystery with plenty of weird magic, persistent British preteens, and a humorous finale.

A brilliant kids book (and I mean little kids, not young adults... I wouldn't necessarily recommend this for anyone above 12 years old), Diana Wynne Jones draws upon classic fairy tales such as Puss In Boots to put together a charming story told by a master storyteller. DWJ's books stand out not just for their great plot, but also for their language. Just because the story line is watered down for younger readers (or listeners, in my son's case), her writing is at the top of its game.

American readers might be a bit thrown by some of the British-slang... possibly of DWJ's own invention. Not being British, I'm not sure. For example, "Get Your Own Back" is an important phrase in the book which appears to mean "get even" or "get revenge." Likewise one of the major characters in the book is a big cusser, but his foul language tends to be along the lines of "zombie burger" or "slime puke." He also doesn't really repeat himself, so it's unlikely your child is going to walk around using any of these phrases to color his language... and even if he did, I don't think anyone would mind!

I am a big fan of Diana Wynne Jones books, I enjoy reading them even as an adult. Witch's Business however, is more for young readers than older ones. It's about two young siblings trying to make money and instead end up in trouble all over the place. They run around trying to help everyone do odd jobs finding lost items and getting into trouble with a nasty old witch. If you have a young child, read it to them otherwise you might want to skip this one.

This was a typical Crestomancy Book. If you like them, great, if you don't, this is not a book for you. They tend to be a bit predictable, but that is what I like about them. They are a comfortable, easy read for evening when there's not DVD to pop in and nothing else is brewing but ou don't waht something heavy.