The Lives of Christopher Chant

September 28, 1998
Set in a world in which magic is the norm, this delectable adventure profiles the boyhood of the famous enchanter who plays a prominent role in the author's Chrestomanci series. Ages 10-up.

Here's a perfect choice for the Harry Potter/Philip Pullman crowd. Gerard Doyle uses irony and a gentle sense of astonishment to convey Christopher's emotions when he discovers that he's been given nine lives. This makes him capable of powerful magic, as well as the ability to travel to other worlds and bring things back. It is this skill that makes him the target of unscrupulous characters. Doyle's narration plays a big part in setting the mood--very British, complete with vague upper-class parents, boarding school, and cricket mania. Doyle excels at giving characters their own voices, and he's a perfect choice to lead listeners through the web of intrigue with a light and humorous touch. His interpretation makes Christopher a caring and likable person you'll soon be rooting for. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine