Eight Days of Luke

Rating:
Summary: Norse mythology and rotten relatives: What more do you need?
Review: David's life with his abominable relatives--hypochondriac Bernard, fault-finding Dot, self-righteous Ronald, and exasperating Astrid--abruptly changes when, in a fit of fury against his relatives, he creates a curse (appropriately fierce-sounding gibberish) and recites it in his back yard. Instead of something nasty for his relatives, however, he gets Luke: a mysterious, redheaded young man with an affinity for fire and a talent for troublemaking.

Luke's appearance is only the beginning of a bizarre set of events and peculiar visitations, from the malevolent Mr. Chew, to the preternaturally hearty Frys, to the twin ravens that constantly hang around David. The enigmatic Mr. Wedding has his own agenda, and some mystery hangs around the young man with the dragons. Before long, David finds himself moving between two worlds--his normal, everyday life with his relatives, and an unpredictable, mystical realm--and they both keep getting stranger.

As an admitted mythology addict, I loved "Eight Days of Luke." Figuring out, piece by piece, who the characters really are was half the fun in this book. The other half is Jones' delightful writing and the various complications that ensue as Luke (and what might be termed his set of bizarre relatives) enter into David's everyday life. Myth, folklore, and back-to-school shopping all combine in this novel; more impressively, they fit together naturally.

Everything I have ever read by Diana Wynne Jones has been excellent, and "Eight Days of Luke" was no disappointment. Even if you've never been one for mythology, read and enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: Eight Days of Luke was definitely a fun book to read. As usual, Ms. Jones has used much of her creativity in this book. She has strongly portrayed characters: David, a true cricket fan; Luke, mischief-maker; cranky Aunt Dot; frugal Cousin Ronald; the list goes on. Each character seems to play off one another, making the book almost seem like a live play unfolding before you.

Ms. Jones has also incorporated some of her wit into this book. I was laughing out loud at some of the jokes. She also does a good job of making you feel the emotions of the characters.

The absolute best part of this book is the twists and turns of the plot. Everything about this book is unusual and unique, which made me love it all the more. The story is constantly moving - there isn't a spot where the storyline slows down and lags. The conclusion was amazing; I was glued to the book trying to read faster and faster to see what would happen to David and Luke and Astrid. By the end, all the elements of plot fit together, like an intricate and well-made puzzle.

I highly recommend this book to all age groups. There is something in here for everyone. Brava, Ms. Jones!

(If you want a synopsis of this book, look above. Amazon.com does a great job of telling you the storyline.)

Rating:
Summary: Really great
Review: In the surge of fantasy books being reprinted, the formerly unavailable works of Diana Wynne-Jones are becoming available. "Eight Days of Luke" is a delight for fantasy and mythology buffs alike.

David dreads coming home for vacation. As his parents are dead, he lives with his horrible relatives: Uncle Bernard, Aunt Dot, Cousin Ronald and his wife Astrid, and the sinister housekeeper, all of whom insist that he be grateful to them. They tell him what to wear, how to speak, what to do, constantly talk about what a burden and a pain he is, and spend the rest of the time listening to Astrid and Bernard compare imaginary ailments.

While out doing yardwork, David utters a gibberish curse -- only to have a nearby wall erupt in a shower of snakes. Another boy named Luke appears, and offers to help David. Why? He says that David freed him, and David goes along with this. Luke charms David's nasty family, and as a result Astrid slowly begins to befriend David.

But Luke quickly displays that he can be dangerous as well as helpful. And he is strangely wary of the new people in the neighborhood: the Frys, one-eyed Mr. Wedding, and sinister gardener Mr. Chew. He claims that he was framed for something he didn't do -- but how is David going to help him?

Perhaps the only drawback of this book is that you need some basic knowledge of Norse mythology to know who people like the Frys, Mr. Wedding and Luke are; those who are not familiar with the myths may be hopelessly lost. So brush up on the basics before reading. As for the finale -- well, you'll definitely need to know about Norse myths. Jones doesn't tell us too much, but she doesn't tell us a lot either. The three old women will be recognizable easily, though: Similar characters have been featured in many other works of fantasy.

David is a completely realistic young boy, and I was pleased to see the "conversion" of one of his annoying relatives. Luke manages to be sympathetic and interesting despite the fact that he's a little amoral and has a perilous sense of fun. I was also glad that the "nasty relatives" didn't fall into the Roald Dahl/Harry Potter trap of being cartoonishly bad. They're bad because they are rigid and disdainful -- nasty in ways that are almost hilariously realistic. (The scene where David keeps score as Astrid and Bernard compare psychosomatic problems is a hoot!)

Soon to be reprinted, this is a lesser-known gem that is often overshadowed by Jones's other more popular works. Though shorter than many of her other books, this is a great read for adults and kids alike..

Rating:
Summary: A good and memorable book
Review: The story begins with a young English boy who attends boarding school coming home for break, which he dreads. Since his parents died in a car accident, David has lived with his aunt, uncle, cousin, and his cousin's husband. The family resents David as a financial and social burden, and break is just as intolerable and boring as David expected until one day when he has been abused beyond bearing, he decides to curse his relatives. He stand in the backyard and spouts off a very satisfying stream of angry gibberish- which apparently was a spell that releases someone who introduces himself as Luke. Luke looks just like another boy David's- age- but he can do the most incredible sorts of magic, and he is somehow in trouble and needs David's help. This is a fascinating and heartwarming story with many unsuspected discoveries and plot twists. Diana Wynn Jones fans will recognize similarities to The Ogre Downstairs and Archer's Goon.

Rating:
Summary: "A jolly good read"
Review: With Mrs. Wynne Jones' full permission of course (they're great friends). This is a very entertaining book with a story featuring events not unlike those of the children in A Series Of Unfortunate Events, or probably more to the point, all of Dickens' hapless child protagonists. Still, it has all the hallmarks of the best DWJ stories: a feisty, resourceful hero, other characters who are, somewhat frighteningly, not what they seem, and sudden trips to magical landscapes which appear just around the corner from one's otherwise normal town. It's a wonderful book to read aloud.

Rating:
Summary: Neil Gaiman "borrowed" this premise for "American Gods"
Review: With Mrs. Wynne Jones' full permission of course (they're great friends). This is a very entertaining book with a story featuring events not unlike those of the children in A Series Of Unfortunate Events, or probably more to the point, all of Dickens' hapless child protagonists. Still, it has all the hallmarks of the best DWJ stories: a feisty, resourceful hero, other characters who are, somewhat frighteningly, not what they seem, and sudden trips to magical landscapes which appear just around the corner from one's otherwise normal town. It's a wonderful book to read aloud.