Erwig and the Witch Diana Wynne Jones Erwig and the Witch is a children's book written by renowned author Diana Wynne Jones. The story follows the adventures of young Erwig, a mischievous boy who gets entangled with a powerful witch. Erwig is a young boy living in a small village, known for his cleverness and curiosity. One day, he accidentally stumbles upon an unusual object in the woods. Little does he know that this object belongs to the infamous witch, Morven. Morven is known for her malevolent ways and her ability to cast powerful spells.
Morven is known for her malevolent ways and her ability to cast powerful spells. Curiosity gets the better of Erwig, and he decides to take the object back to his village. Unbeknownst to him, this act triggers a chain of events that will forever change his life.
Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones
Earwig lives at St Morwald's children's home. Unlike some orphans in literature she's perfectly happy there since she seems to have everyone answering her every whim, and she loves spending time with her best friend Custard. Things are soon to change though as one day a rather strange couple, Bella Yaga and the Mandrake, come to look for a child to foster and the one they pick is Earwig!
This is a wonderful little story, perfect for those aged around 7 to 11 years old although it can easily be read aloud to slightly younger children too who can't manage to read it themselves. Earwig finds herself the servant of Bella Yaga, a witch, living in fear of disturbing the Mandrake. She's interested in magic herself, and so carefully watches everything Bella Yaga does before finding an unlikely accomplice who helps her find a way to bewitch both Bella and the Mandrake into doing what she wants them to.
The book is full of wonderful, quirky line illustrations - there are crow headers on each page, as well as spiders and crows appearing at the bottom of pages throughout but then there are also fabulous pictures of the characters showing Earwig with her googly eyes and crooked teeth, Bella Yaga looking rather hideous and the Mandrake with his horns and scary eyes! The pictures are funny and spread throughout the book, and it's nice to look over them if you read it aloud with your child, thinking about how the different characters are feeling and what's going on.
The story is divided into chapters, but at less than 150 pages isn't so long that younger readers would find it too difficult. I could easily see myself several years ago (well, quite a bit more than several but let's not get into that!) curled up reading this over a school holiday. Earwig is a fun character and the story is entertaining and engaging.
I had a feeling, by the end, that this could well have been a much longer, more detailed book though. It's sad that Diana Wynne Jones died earlier this year, cutting short what might have been quite a different story had she had more time. There were things mentioned, about Earwig's past for example, that aren't touched on for the rest of the book, and the ending also leaves things somewhat unfinished, I felt, so it's sad to think that there won't be any follow up stories about Earwig to tie up the loose ends. Adult fans of Wynne Jones will perhaps be disappointed by this book which is shorter and less detailed than some of her other novels, but I thought it was a nice introduction for younger readers to the wonderful characters she could create in her writing, and the magical worlds they live in.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
Further reading suggestion: You might also like to try another of Diana Wynne Jones' books - Power of Three.
You can read more book reviews or buy Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Earwig and the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones at Amazon.com.
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Further reading suggestion: You might also like to try another of Diana Wynne Jones' books - Power of Three.
Morven discovers her missing object and immediately suspects Erwig's involvement. She sets out to find the young boy and seek revenge. Erwig, unaware of Morven's wrath, continues to live his life as normal. However, strange things start happening around him. Objects move on their own, animals behave strangely, and people begin to fall ill. Erwig soon realizes that he is at the center of this chaos and seeks answers. Driven by his determination, Erwig embarks on a journey to unravel the mystery surrounding Morven's wrath. He encounters various magical beings, each with their own secrets and motives. Along the way, he discovers his own hidden powers and learns important lessons about friendship, bravery, and the consequences of his actions. As Erwig delves deeper into the magical realm, he comes face to face with Morven herself. This encounter tests his newfound knowledge and abilities, forcing him to confront the witch and free his village from her wrath. Erwig and the Witch is a captivating tale of adventure, magic, and self-discovery. Diana Wynne Jones weaves a vivid and enchanting world that will capture the imagination of young readers and keep them hooked until the very end. With its relatable characters and timeless themes, this book stands as a testament to the power of courage and compassion..
Reviews for "Erwig and the Witch: An Exploration of Identity and Belonging"
1. Tom - 2 out of 5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Erwig and the Witch' by Diana Wynne Jones. The storyline felt disjointed and confusing, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The writing style felt rushed, and the world-building was lackluster. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not up to the author's usual standard."
2. Emma - 1 out of 5 stars - "I couldn't finish 'Erwig and the Witch' by Diana Wynne Jones. The plot was convoluted, and the characters lacked depth and development. It felt like the author was trying too hard to create a complex fantasy world, but it just came across as messy and confusing. I found it difficult to stay engaged and ultimately gave up on the book."
3. Peter - 2 out of 5 stars - "I was excited to read 'Erwig and the Witch' by Diana Wynne Jones, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed action scenes. The characterization was weak, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Additionally, the dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic. Overall, I was left disappointed and wishing for a more engaging read."