Earwig and the Witch is a children's fantasy novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. It tells the story of Earwig, a young girl who grows up in an orphanage and is unexpectedly adopted by a witch named Bella Yaga and her familiar, the Mandrake. The main idea of the story is the empowerment of a young girl and her ability to overcome difficult situations. Despite her initial resistance to being adopted, Earwig quickly adapts to her new life and uses her wits and intelligence to navigate the challenges thrown at her by Bella Yaga. One of the standout aspects of the novel is its portrayal of unconventional familial relationships. While Bella Yaga may be a witch and initially intends to use Earwig as a servant, the two develop a unique bond that transcends their initial roles.
Earwig could be in for quite an unpleasant surprise. But so could the very strange couple.
Foremost amongst the latter are The Tough Guide To Fantasyland, and its fictional companion-pieces Dark Lord of Derkholm 1998 and Year of the Griffin 2000 , which provide a merciless though not unaffectionate critique of formulaic sword-and-sorcery epics. Many of her earlier children s books were out of print in recent years, but have now been re-issued for the young audience whose interest in fantasy and reading was spurred by Harry Potter.
While Bella Yaga may be a witch and initially intends to use Earwig as a servant, the two develop a unique bond that transcends their initial roles. Earwig's growth and independence are driven in part by her determination to make the most of her circumstances and to prove her worth to Bella Yaga. Diana Wynne Jones's writing style is characterized by a whimsical and enchanting tone that invites readers to immerse themselves in Earwig's world.
Earwig and the witch diana wynne jones
Did you watch the movie, Howl's Moving Castle ? It was based, of course, on a book by British fantasy writer extraordinaire, Diana Wynne Jones (see my overview of her work in this post from 2009). To the sorrow of many reader fans, Ms. Jones passed away last year after losing her fight with cancer. Earwig and the Witch , published January 31, 2012 in the U.S., is, as far as I know, her last book.
Earwig and the Witch is for younger middle grade readers and is a very slim read, but it packs a lot in a few short pages. In fact, I'm pretty sure you will find yourself wishing for a sequel once you hit the last page. In her signature style, Jones pops magic into a rather ordinary contemporary world. Meet Earwig, a girl who was left at the orphanage as a baby with the following note:
Got the other twelve witches all chasing me. I'll be back for her when I've shook them off. It may take years. Her name is Earwig.
The Matron promptly changed the baby's name to Erica, but it turned back to Earwig easily enough.
Earwig's best friend is a timid boy named Custard. Earwig does not want to be adopted, considering she has the whole orphanage running just how she likes it. So she is not pleased when she is adopted—by a towering man with horns only she can see and a woman with a "raggety, ribby look to her face."
Sure enough, the man is really a Mandrake and the woman is a witch looking for cheap labor. When Earwig figures out that Bella Yaga has no intention of teaching her any magic, she sets out to rearrange things. Then readers will start to understand that Earwig didn't control the orphanage with boring old magic, but by being a very clever child. Of course, it helps that she has a magic cat to help her in her new abode. (A close read will reveal glimpses of the Baba Yaga story in the bones of this one.) Here's Earwig's first supper with the Mandrake:
To Earwig's surprise, the kitchen was an ordinary kitchen, quite warm and cozy. Earwig looked at the Mandrake. He was looming in a chair at the end of the table, reading a large leather book. He looked like an ordinary man in a bad temper. Even so, he did not look like a man who would have gotten supper ready.
"And what have the demons brought us today?" Bella Yaga asked in the bright, wheedling voice she always seemed to use to the Mandrake.
"Pie and chips from Stoke-on-Trent station buffet," the Mandrake growled, without looking up.
"I hate station pie," said Bella Yaga.
The Mandrake looked up . His eyes were like dark pits. A spark of red fire glowed, deep down in each pit. "It's my favorite food," he said. The sparks in his eyes flickered and grew.
Earwig quite understood then why she was not to disturb the Mandrake.
The book has pen-and-ink illustrations by Caldecott winner Paul O. Zelinsky. They are a bit twisty and often show Earwig scowling, but then, she is a witch girl. (Her face does soften when she's petting Thomas the cat.) My favorite piece is an entire spread showing a sort of time-lapse look at Earwig rushing around the witch's workroom working on a spell—we see 11 versions of Earwig by my count.
Earwig and the Witch could have been longer, it could happily have been three books about Earwig instead of just one, but it's not. Still, Earwig and the Witch is something very nice indeed: the treasure of one last satisfying read from the marvelous Ms. Jones.
Note: I have included both the British and U.S. covers for your reference (above left and above right, respectively). Which do you like best?
"I hate station pie," said Bella Yaga.
The vivid descriptions and colorful characters give life to the story and make it an engaging read for both children and adults. Earwig and the Witch explores themes of self-reliance, adaptability, and the importance of finding one's place in the world. It teaches young readers the value of resilience, cleverness, and working together to overcome challenges. In conclusion, Earwig and the Witch is a captivating children's novel that showcases Diana Wynne Jones's storytelling prowess. The story of a young girl finding her way in a magical world is filled with heartwarming moments and valuable life lessons. Through the character of Earwig, readers are reminded of the power of determination and the potential for growth and empowerment..
Reviews for "The Importance of Identity and Self-Discovery in "Earwig and the Witch" by Diana Wynne Jones"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Earwig and the Witch" by Diana Wynne Jones. The plot felt extremely dull and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The characters were also very one-dimensional and lacked depth. I found it hard to connect or engage with any of them. Overall, I expected much more from this acclaimed author and was left feeling underwhelmed by this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Earwig and the Witch" was a complete letdown for me. The story was all over the place, with no clear direction or purpose. It felt like a jumbled mess of ideas that never came together cohesively. The main character, Earwig, was particularly annoying and unlikable. I couldn't root for her or even understand her motivations. I really struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I have to say, I did not enjoy "Earwig and the Witch" at all. The plot was slow, uninteresting, and lacked any sort of excitement. The magic elements in the story were underdeveloped and felt like an afterthought. The writing style also didn't captivate me, and I found myself easily distracted while reading. Overall, this book just didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to avid readers looking for a thrilling fantasy tale.