Joan Aiken
Encyclopedia
Joan Delano Aiken MBE
(4 September 1924 – 4 January 2004) was an English novelist. She was born in Rye
, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, American poet Conrad Aiken
(who won a Pulitzer Prize
for his poetry), her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge
and her brother John Aiken (with her siblings, Joan Aiken authored Conrad Aiken Remembered (1989), a short, subtle appreciation of their complex and difficult father). Joan's mother, Canadian-born Jessie MacDonald, a Masters graduate from Radcliffe College
, married English writer Martin Armstrong soon after separating from Conrad Aiken.
Joan Aiken was at first taught at home by her mother, and later educated at Wychwood School, Oxford, between 1936 and 1940; she did not attend university. She had written stories from an early age, and in her early twenties she had her first stories broadcast by the BBC, where she had been employed in 1942–43. In 1945 she married Ronald George Brown, a journalist working for the United Nations Information Office and they had two children; he died in 1955. She married New York painter Julius Goldstein in 1976; he died in 2001.
Aiken worked for the United Nations Information Office in London from 1943 to 1949, and after her husband's death joined the magazine Argosy where she worked in various editorial capacities, and said she learned her trade as a writer. The magazine was one of many where she published her short stories between 1955 to 1960. During this time she also published her first two collections of children's stories, and began work on a children's novel, initially titled Bonnie Green, which was to be published as The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
in 1962. By this time she was able to write full time from home, producing two or three books a year for the rest of her life, mainly children's books and thrillers, but also many articles, introductions and talks on children's literature, and on the work of Jane Austen
.
For her books she received the Guardian Award
(1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award
(1972). In 1999 she was awarded an MBE for her services to children's literature.
She died at her home in Petworth
, West Sussex, at the age of 79.
series), are set in an elaborate alternate history
of Britain in which James II
is never deposed in the Glorious Revolution
, but supporters of the House of Hanover
continually agitate against the monarchy. These books also toy with the geography of London, adding a Canal District among other features. Wolves have invaded the country from Europe via the newly built channel tunnel. Dido Twite is the intrepid cockney heroine of many of the series.
In a review of Midwinter Nightingale for School Library Journal
, Susan Patron praised the characterizations and the suspenseful plot, and noted that, “Although the titles in the ‘Wolves’ series may be read independently”, readers may want to read the earlier books first.
Her series of children's books about Arabel and Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake
. Others are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski
and Pat Marriott.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen
. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Joan Aiken produced over a hundred books, including more than a dozen collections of fantasy stories, plays and poems, and modern and historical novels for adults and children.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories, among others those of M. R. James
, Fitz James O'Brien
and Nugent Barker
. A number of her books focus on spine-chilling or supernatural events, including The Windscreen Weepers (stories, 1969), The Shadow Guests (novel, 1980), A Whisper in the Night (stories, 1982), and A Creepy Company (stories, 1993, with variant contents in its US and UK editions).
She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House
in Rye (now a National Trust
property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James
and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
(4 September 1924 – 4 January 2004) was an English novelist. She was born in Rye
Rye, East Sussex
Rye is a small town in East Sussex, England, which stands approximately two miles from the open sea and is at the confluence of three rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and the Brede...
, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, American poet Conrad Aiken
Conrad Aiken
Conrad Potter Aiken was an American novelist and poet, whose work includes poetry, short stories, novels, a play and an autobiography.-Early years:...
(who won a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
for his poetry), her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge
Jane Aiken Hodge
Jane Aiken Hodge was an American-born British writer.-Life:Born near Cambridge, Massachusetts to Pulitzer prize-winning poet Conrad Aiken and his first wife, the writer Jessie McDonald...
and her brother John Aiken (with her siblings, Joan Aiken authored Conrad Aiken Remembered (1989), a short, subtle appreciation of their complex and difficult father). Joan's mother, Canadian-born Jessie MacDonald, a Masters graduate from Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College
Radcliffe College was a women's liberal arts college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was the coordinate college for Harvard University. It was also one of the Seven Sisters colleges. Radcliffe College conferred joint Harvard-Radcliffe diplomas beginning in 1963 and a formal merger agreement with...
, married English writer Martin Armstrong soon after separating from Conrad Aiken.
Joan Aiken was at first taught at home by her mother, and later educated at Wychwood School, Oxford, between 1936 and 1940; she did not attend university. She had written stories from an early age, and in her early twenties she had her first stories broadcast by the BBC, where she had been employed in 1942–43. In 1945 she married Ronald George Brown, a journalist working for the United Nations Information Office and they had two children; he died in 1955. She married New York painter Julius Goldstein in 1976; he died in 2001.
Aiken worked for the United Nations Information Office in London from 1943 to 1949, and after her husband's death joined the magazine Argosy where she worked in various editorial capacities, and said she learned her trade as a writer. The magazine was one of many where she published her short stories between 1955 to 1960. During this time she also published her first two collections of children's stories, and began work on a children's novel, initially titled Bonnie Green, which was to be published as The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is a children's novel by Joan Aiken, first published in 1963. Set in an alternate history of England, it tells of the adventures of cousins Bonnie and Sylvia and their friend Simon the goose-boy as they thwart the evil schemes of their governess Miss Slighcarp.The...
in 1962. By this time she was able to write full time from home, producing two or three books a year for the rest of her life, mainly children's books and thrillers, but also many articles, introductions and talks on children's literature, and on the work of Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
.
For her books she received the Guardian Award
Guardian Award
The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize or Guardian Award is a prominent award for works of children's literature by British or Commonwealth authors, published in the United Kingdom during the preceding year. The award has been given annually since 1967, and is decided by a panel of authors and the...
(1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award
Edgar Award
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America...
(1972). In 1999 she was awarded an MBE for her services to children's literature.
She died at her home in Petworth
Petworth
Petworth is a small town and civil parish in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England. It is located at the junction of the A272 east-west road from Heathfield to Winchester and the A283 Milford to Shoreham-by-Sea road. Some twelve miles to the south west of Petworth along the A285 road...
, West Sussex, at the age of 79.
Writings
Many of her most popular books, including the Wolves Chronicles (also known as The Wolves of Willoughby ChaseThe Wolves of Willoughby Chase
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase is a children's novel by Joan Aiken, first published in 1963. Set in an alternate history of England, it tells of the adventures of cousins Bonnie and Sylvia and their friend Simon the goose-boy as they thwart the evil schemes of their governess Miss Slighcarp.The...
series), are set in an elaborate alternate history
Alternate history (fiction)
Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate...
of Britain in which James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
is never deposed in the Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
, but supporters of the House of Hanover
House of Hanover
The House of Hanover is a deposed German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
continually agitate against the monarchy. These books also toy with the geography of London, adding a Canal District among other features. Wolves have invaded the country from Europe via the newly built channel tunnel. Dido Twite is the intrepid cockney heroine of many of the series.
In a review of Midwinter Nightingale for School Library Journal
School Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
, Susan Patron praised the characterizations and the suspenseful plot, and noted that, “Although the titles in the ‘Wolves’ series may be read independently”, readers may want to read the earlier books first.
Her series of children's books about Arabel and Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake
Quentin Blake
Quentin Saxby Blake, CBE, FCSD, RDI, is an English cartoonist, illustrator and children's author, well-known for his collaborations with writer Roald Dahl.-Education:...
. Others are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski
Jan Pienkowski
Jan Michel Pieńkowski is a Polish-born British illustrator and author of children's books.Pieńkowski illustrated his first book at the age of eight, as a present for his father. During World War II, Pieńkowski's family moved about Europe, finally settling in Herefordshire, England in 1946...
and Pat Marriott.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Joan Aiken produced over a hundred books, including more than a dozen collections of fantasy stories, plays and poems, and modern and historical novels for adults and children.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories, among others those of M. R. James
M. R. James
Montague Rhodes James, OM, MA, , who used the publication name M. R. James, was an English mediaeval scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge and of Eton College . He is best remembered for his ghost stories, which are regarded as among the best in the genre...
, Fitz James O'Brien
Fitz James O'Brien
Fitz James O'Brien was an Irish-born American writer, some of whose work is often considered one of the forerunners of today's science fiction.-Biography:...
and Nugent Barker
Nugent Barker
Little is known about Nugent Barker , who is remembered for the evocative ghost story 'Whessoe', and the grimly humorous 'Curious Adventure of Mr Bond'...
. A number of her books focus on spine-chilling or supernatural events, including The Windscreen Weepers (stories, 1969), The Shadow Guests (novel, 1980), A Whisper in the Night (stories, 1982), and A Creepy Company (stories, 1993, with variant contents in its US and UK editions).
She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House
Lamb House
Lamb House is an 18th-century house situated in Rye, East Sussex, England, and in the ownership of the National Trust.The house has literary connections. It was the home of Henry James from 1898 to 1916, and later of E.F. Benson and Rumer Godden. Benson writes lovingly of both garden and house,...
in Rye (now a National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James
Henry James
Henry James, OM was an American-born writer, regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. He was the son of Henry James, Sr., a clergyman, and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James....
and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
Wolves Chronicles (in narrative order)
- The Whispering Mountain (1968) a prequel to the series
- The Wolves of Willoughby ChaseThe Wolves of Willoughby ChaseThe Wolves of Willoughby Chase is a children's novel by Joan Aiken, first published in 1963. Set in an alternate history of England, it tells of the adventures of cousins Bonnie and Sylvia and their friend Simon the goose-boy as they thwart the evil schemes of their governess Miss Slighcarp.The...
(1963) - Black Hearts in BatterseaBlack Hearts in BatterseaBlack Hearts in Battersea is a children's novel by Joan Aiken first published in 1964. The second book in the Wolves Chronicles, it is loosely a sequel to her earlier Wolves of Willoughby Chase...
(1964) - Nightbirds on Nantucket (1966)
- The Stolen LakeThe Stolen LakeThe Stolen Lake is a children's novel by Joan Aiken, first published in 1981. Taking place in an alternate history, the story follows the adventures of Dido Twite in a fictionalized version of South America....
(1981) - Dangerous Games, published in the UK as Limbo Lodge (1999)
- The Cuckoo Tree (1971)
- Dido and Pa (1986)
- Is UndergroundIs UndergroundIs Underground is the eighth book in the series of novels by Joan Aiken normally called the Wolves Chronicles and sometimes the James III sequence. Where previous books have followed the characters Bonny, Sylvia, Simon and particularly street-urchin Dido Twite, this marks the first appearance of...
(British title: IsIs UndergroundIs Underground is the eighth book in the series of novels by Joan Aiken normally called the Wolves Chronicles and sometimes the James III sequence. Where previous books have followed the characters Bonny, Sylvia, Simon and particularly street-urchin Dido Twite, this marks the first appearance of...
) (1992) - Cold Shoulder Road (1995)
- Midwinter Nightingale (2003)
- The Witch of Clatteringshaws (2005)
Arabel and Mortimer series
- Arabel's Raven (1972)
- Escaped Black Mamba (1973)
- The Bread Bin (1974)
- Mortimer's Tie (1976)
- Mortimer and the Sword Excalibur (1979)
- The Spiral Stair (1979)
- The Mystery of Mr Jones's Disappearing Taxi (1982)
- Mortimer's Portrait on Glass (1982)
- Mortimer's Cross (1983)
- Mortimer Says Nothing (Three stories) (1985)
- Mortimer and Arabel (1992)
- Mortimer's Mine (1994)
- Mayhem in Rumbury (1995)
Paget Family
- The Smile of the Stranger (1978)
- The Lightning Tree (1980) (US title: The Weeping Ash)
- The Young Lady from Paris (1982) (US title: The Girl from Paris)
Felix Trilogy
- Go Saddle the Sea (1978)
- Bridle the Wind (1983)
- The Teeth of the Gale (1988)
'Jane Austen' novels
- Mansfield Revisited (1984)
- Jane Fairfax (The Story of the Second Heroine in Jane Austen's Emma) (1990)
- Eliza’s Daughter (1994)
- Emma Watson: The Watsons Completed (1996)
- The Youngest Miss Ward (1998)
- Lady Catherine's Necklace (2000)
Others (chronological)
- All You've Ever Wanted (1953)
- More Than You Bargained For (1955)
- The Kingdom and The Cave (1960)
- The Silence of Herondale (1964)
- A Necklace of Raindrops (1968)
- Night Fall (1969)
- Smoke from Cromwell's Time and other stories (1970)
- The Embroidered Sunset (1970)
- The Green Flash (1971)
- A Cluster of Separate Sparks (1972)
- A Harp of Fishbones (1972)
- The Butterfly Picnic (1973)
- Dark Interval (1974)
- Beware of the Bouquet (1975)
- The Crystal Crow (1975)
- Voices in an Empty House (1975)
- Castle Barebane (1976)
- The Five-Minute Marriage (1977)
- Last Movement (1978)
- The Kingdom Under the Sea (1981)
- Foul Matter (1983)
- Deception (1988) (US title: If I Were You)
- Return to Harken House (1988)
- Morningquest (1992)
- The Cockatrice Boys (1996)
- The Scream (2002)
External links
- The Official Joan Aiken Website
- Obituary, Daily Telegraph, 6 January 2004.
- Obituary and Appreciation, The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, 7 & 9 January 2004. - Obituary, The TimesThe TimesThe Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
, 9 January 2004. - Obituary, The IndependentThe IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
, 10 January 2004. - Incomplete Bibliography
- Bibliography, with cover images, at Fantastic Fiction
- Retrospective: The Endless Imagination of Joan Aiken, at Books For Keeps