Tales of London Town
Joan Aiken started publishing in 1955 and continued as a working writer until her death in 2004, producing over one hundred novels for children and adults along with copious shorter works, including the stories in this beautiful new collection. Part of a narrative tradition that predates MFA programs and quiet epiphanies, she concerned herself with a snappier brand of narrative entertainment, drawing on ancient traditions of folk and fairy tales while adding a strong dash of modern irony for freshness. The results prove that careful attention to craft raises it to the level of art. The sprightliness and the magical elements her stories share make them quite literally charming.
Joan Aiken started publishing in 1955 and continued as a working writer until her death in 2004, producing over one hundred novels for children and adults along with copious shorter works, including the stories in this beautiful new collection. Part of a narrative tradition that predates MFA programs and quiet epiphanies, she concerned herself with a snappier brand of narrative entertainment, drawing on ancient traditions of folk and fairy tales while adding a strong dash of modern irony for freshness. The results prove that careful attention to craft raises it to the level of art. The sprightliness and the magical elements her stories share make them quite literally charming.
Joan Aiken started publishing in 1955 and continued as a working writer until her death in 2004, producing over one hundred novels for children and adults along with copious shorter works, including the stories in this beautiful new collection. Part of a narrative tradition that predates MFA programs and quiet epiphanies, she concerned herself with a snappier brand of narrative entertainment, drawing on ancient traditions of folk and fairy tales while adding a strong dash of modern irony for freshness. The results prove that careful attention to craft raises it to the level of art. The sprightliness and the magical elements her stories share make them quite literally charming.