The final day of the DWJ conference saw a great paper from Jenni Tyynela which applied David Lewis‘s theory of modal worlds applied to the worlds of Chrestomanci. She explored the idea of them questioning possibility and determinism and how various characters can move (although not to where a copy of each other is) to other worlds and control their own lives. Cheryl Morgan appeared to have enjoyed it as well.
Caroline Webb explored the notions of identity which was rather apt for me given that I’m trying to write part of chapter in identity in childrn’s fantasy from the late 1960s. Much to chew on and absorb, particularly as I haven’t yet read Conread’s Fate yet.
Jean Webb mused on the constants of aging and death in DWJ’s fiction and the various perceptions of it. She also talked about questioning of the self in Time of the Ghost and how readers can be thrown by the lack of information.
David Rudd, as mentioned in the last post, talked about Howl’s Moving Castle and deconstruction. I think by the end of the conference we could agree that Howl has a fairy unstable Castle! Actually it was a good reminder of the layers contained within the book and how it can be read as many things. Judith Ridge talked about reading and her childhood in Australia but didn’t have time to cover the great work she does bringing children’s literature to kids in the suburbs. Meredith McArdle gave an illustrated talk about some of the locations of DWJ novels, focusiing on Glastonbury and the Downs (both sets).
I didn’t stay until the end as I’d been itching to get home early and do some work – which I managed to do after reading the papers and eating lunch.
All in all, it was a good few days and I came away with plenty to think about in terms of DWJ’s books and also the fantastic in children’s fiction. It was also good to see new faces and catch up with folks like Cheryl and Andy Sawyer.