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Diana Wynne JonesBritish writer, author of fantasy novels for children and adults
Date of Birth: 16.08.1934
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
Biography of Diana Wynne Jones
Diana Wynne Jones was a British writer and author of fantastic novels for children and adults. She is best known for her series of books about Chrestomanci and the novel "Howl's Moving Castle," as well as "Dark Lord of Derkholm."
Early Life and Education
Jones was born on August 16, 1934, in London, to parents Marjorie and Richard Jones, who were both teachers. During World War II, she was evacuated to Wales. Her family moved several times - to Coniston Water, York, and back to London, before finally settling in Thaxted, Essex in 1943. It was there that Jones and her two younger sisters, Ursula and Isobel (who later became a professor and literary critic), were left to their own devices.
After completing school, Jones attended St. Anne's College, Oxford in 1953, where she studied English language. She attended lectures by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. She finished her studies in 1956 and married John Burrow, a specialist in medieval literature. They briefly lived in London before returning to Oxford and eventually relocating to Bristol in 1976. They have three sons, Richard, Michael, and Colin.
Writing Career and Recognition
Jones is the author of over forty books translated into seventeen languages. She has an extensive list of awards and nominations, including the prestigious Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards and the Carnegie Medal. Her works, especially the Chrestomanci series and the novel "Howl's Moving Castle," have gained significant popularity. The latter was adapted into an animated film by renowned Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki in 2004, with the English version released in 2005.
Critics have compared Jones' acclaimed "Chrestomanci" series to J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter," as it predates Rowling's books by nearly two decades. Jones' works are also often compared to those of Robin McKinley and Neil Gaiman. She is friends with Gaiman, and they both admire each other's works. Jones dedicated her novel "Hexwood" to Gaiman, noting that the plot idea was inspired by one of their conversations.
