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September 4 marked what would have been the 87th birthday of the wonderful Joan Aiken. Never heard of her, you say? Then you must check out this amazing website which highlights the more than 100 books Ms. Aiken composed in her lifetime, out of what seemed an endless well of creativity.
Aiken was never tied to one genre. Click on "books" on her homepage to see all of the avenues she travelled when in quest of a great story. One of my favorites is listed under "Wolves Chronicles" (see the picture with the wolf outside the castle). These great tales started with the lovely, Gothic, young adult tale called THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE, which not only wins my award for greatest title, but which kept me spellbound as a youngster.
Aiken came from a highly creative family. The daughter of poet Conrad Aiken and the sister of Jane Aiken Hodge (another favorite from my youth), she never had university training, but began telling (and selling) her stories right out of school.
Aiken won the Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1972, but she also won a Guardian Award (for Children's Literature), and in 1999 she was awarded an MBE for "her services to children's literature" (Wikipedia).
Perhaps I love her partly because she was so much a part of my own childhood; but Aiken's work has truly stood the test of time. Jane Austen fans should check out Aiken's works about that writer (click on the bust of Jane), and those who love fantasy should click on the unicorn--Aiken was writing tales of imaginary worlds long before JK Rowling was even born.
Do yourself a favor and read a book by Joan Aiken today! Her website alone is a delightful adventure.
9 comments:
Both Aiken and Jane Aiken Hodge were old favorites of mine too, Julia. The few books I have are still occasional comfort reads, and I'll grab one if I see it at a library sale or bargain bin. Makes me nostalgic for the days when that kind of writer could win an Edgar.
There was something special about her and, yes, the time in which she wrote.
Julia,
Oh, two authors I had not thought of in years! I remember discovering and inhaling The Wolves of Willoughby Chase when I was a child. I believe I found her during the summer when I was about 10 yrs old. Ah, yes, when all I did was play and read after my chores were finished! Those were the days!
Sandi
Sandi, that sounds like my childhood! And the Aiken sisters made many adventures for me. :)
Hi Julia, so glad you enjoyed the website - I had such fun making it! And delighted that you are sharing your rediscovery of Joan Aiken. She certainly does deserve to be remembered, so next year which will be the 50th anniversary of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase,I am hoping to celebrate with Aiken fans everywhere! Meanwhile there's a new story collection, The Monkey's Wedding out this year!
Lizza Aiken
Oh gosh, how nice to hear from you! And thank you for the tip about new Joan Aiken literature. She really has left a legacy that will last.
Thank you for your comment!
To my mind everybody have to glance at it.
Having been a fan of Aiken since a girl, and being of a theatrical persuasion, I'm really excited about being involved in the stage adaptation of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. We're performing it at Progress Theatre in Jan 2014! http://www.progresstheatre.co.uk/shows/the-wolves-of-willoughby-chase/
Having been a fan of Aiken since a girl, and being of a theatrical persuasion, I'm really excited about being involved in the stage adaptation of The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. We're performing it at Progress Theatre in Jan 2014! http://www.progresstheatre.co.uk/shows/the-wolves-of-willoughby-chase/
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