Reflections on the Magic of Writing (review)

Jones, Dianna Wynne. Reflections on the Magic of Writing. HarperCollins, 2012. 368p. Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-06-221989-3 $24.99. E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-06-221990-9 $9.99.

Posthumous tributes and collections of published/unpublished works abound in the literary world, but it is rare to find one that is put together by an author with the foreknowledge that this will be the last exchange she will have with readers and critics. After being informed that she had terminal cancer in 2010, noted fantasist Diana Wynne Jones set about sorting her manuscripts, eventually pulling together this group of essays, lectures, and articles, all of which touch upon her ideas about writing fantasy for children. Spanning over twenty years of her literary career, the selected pieces are thematically arranged, beginning with the only personal narrative Jones includes, a contemplative piece about watching children at play that sets the stage for her subsequent arguments regarding the importance of imagination and creativity. Both young and old fans of the author will recognize her deliciously wry sense of humor, apparent even in some of the more esoteric pieces such as her examination of The Lord of the Rings, and aspiring writers will appreciate this look at the inner workings of a literary powerhouse. Neil Gaiman provides a touching tribute in his foreword while the book concludes with two pieces written by Jones’ children that reflect on the woman as a mother and a writer. Like the author it represents, the collection ranges in tone from humorously snarky to somber to joyful and offers an insightful and compelling capstone to Jones’ already impressive body of work.