The Pinhoe Egg - Tumblr Posts
A sketch of a scene I've always liked a lot from Diana Wynne Jones' 'The Pinhoe Egg' novel (Chrestomanci Series). I simply love Cat/Eric Chant. I've always pictured him as a small boy with huge pale eyes and a mass of silky, pale blond hair. In Pinhoe Egg though he his supposed to be a little older, though his exact age is never revealed. I figure he must be around 12 on this, and Marianne close to 14. I love how he seems to have grown into a much more relaxed and laid-back person in this novel. The little boy we discovered in 'Charmed Life' used to be so timid and insecure, I was delighted to see him become confident and bloom once Gwendolen's bad influence was removed from his life. I still fancy him rather timid though. Introverted, I guess. I also fancy he has a small crush on Marianne, though that's probably just me being silly~ Edgar Pinhoe saw her. "Not now, Marianne," he said. "I'm with prospective buyers. Run along home, there's a good girl." His domination spell was back, aimed at Marianne. Cat wondered what good Edgar Pinhoe thought it would do, when his magic was only about warlock level and this girl's was pretty well as strong as Millie's. And Millie, of course, was an enchantress. Sure enough, the domination spell bounced off Marianne. Cat was not sure she even noticed it. Characters and story belong to the magical Diana Wynne Jones
Diana Wynne Jones 30 Day Meme: Day 25, Favorite Headcanon
I've always sorta fancied that Cat unconsciously had a small crush on Marianne Pinhoe - or at least that he would grow into having feelings for her. I know it sounds awfully cliché - especially since something quite similar happened to Chrestomanci and Millie - but I don't really care :)
Also, I like to imagine that Paolo and Renata (The Magicians of Caprona) grew to become close friends and had tons of adventures together. They would be seen walking down the Corso together after school on most days, making up silly plans and bickering like only really close friends do. Sometimes, Tonino would tag along. But he preferred his books, really.
I couldn't agree more!
Rereading Pinhoe Egg
1. Everything about this book begs to be animated by Miyazaki. The folk behind the foreground, the frog plague, Marianne avoiding owls on a stolen broomstick, Gaffer’s old herb bed, Joe’s whole character arc, Nutcase walking through walls, Gammer catching a flea (and the whole insanely comedic Moving Gammer scene). These are all moments where Jones’ and Miyazaki’s visions are so in synch, it’s beautiful, it would make a beautiful animated movie.
2. More like Pinhoe Twist… Goddamn those uncles. I love how their family dynamic is first established in the initial Gammer scenes, and then how slowly you see their integrity crack and crumble until you’re begging Marianne to turn them all into snails. But you still really feel for her, her attachment to her family, and her horror at the way they have betrayed her.
3. I love this book so much!!! So many animals, so much excellent magic, so hilarious. I can’t believe I waited so long for a re-read.