Known for her many children’s fantasy novels, Diana Wynne Jones once again immerses herself in the world of fantasy, and on this occasion, perhaps crosses over into science fiction, in this original novel. When one considers the novel, the title of which so closely resembles this one – A Tale of Two Cities – there are certain similarities. Indeed, this book might even have started with the same immortal words: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
A Fantasy Time Travel
As opposed to being set in the state of revolution in which Charles Dickens set his A Tale of Two Cities, Diana Wynne Jones starts her story in 1939, the beginning of the second world war – an equally devastating time. Children are being evacuated from London because of the bombings of that city in World War Two. Young Vivian Smith is among these children, and she nervously approaches these changes in her life, knowing that she is being sent to an unknown cousin in the countryside. She steps off the train with all the other children, and is met by two boys who are supposedly there to meet her officially. But she suddenly finds herself stepping into another age and place entirely. She has been accidentally taken by these boys, who come from a place called Time City.
A Fantasy City to Save
According to tradition, certain things are to take place in Time City – and through the ages of the world – which are to culminate with the break-up of the city. The two boys, Jonathan and Sam, are determined to do their best to save their city. To the best of their understanding, someone with the same name as Vivian is due to return to the city, and they believe she should be able to help save the place. The fact of the city coming to its end affects not only the people who live there, but also the whole of history. Different eras are known to the people of Time City, some of them being stable and others unstable. The twentieth century is one of these unstable eras.
After Vivian’s initial protests, she soon realises (because of seeing a “time ghost” of herself) that she needs to play a role in saving the city, and therefore, all of time, including her own century, with her family. So before she knows it, she starts going though time locks into different ages with the boys, to try to retrieve the things needed to save the city and time.
The city and the different eras are imaginatively and richly described. These worlds hold dangers, and excitement for this young English girl from a sheltered middle-class background. She learns a new language, and sees magic happen. This is a book that will hold the attention of any young (and older-young) readers, with its delights, like the butter pies from a different era, which the children love to order on their automats.
Diana Wynne Jones definitely deserves the acclamation that she receives for her fantasy fiction. She transports her readers into a wonderful world, which is clearly imagined through the magic of her words.
Publication Details
Title: A Tale of Time City
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Publisher: Collins 2000
First published: Methuen Children’s Books Ltd 1987
363 Pages
ISBN: 0-00-675520-8
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