https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/cart-and-cwidder-by-diana-wynne-jones/

I had read this ages ago, probably soon after it came out in 1975. It’s the first published of one of Diana Wynne Jones’ cycles of novels for young adult readers, the Dalemark Quartet. Our protagonist, teenage Moril, is the youngest boy in a family of travelling musicians and players in a fantasy world where there is magic, dynastic politics, and feuds between local warlords. His life is disrupted by a brutal murder in an early chapter, but this brings him an ancient cwidder – a musical instrument which seems to be in the lute family – which turns out to have its own special powers. There are some beautifully observed family and social dynamics, and some rather stunning descriptive passages. I’m not sure if this book is as well known as it deserves. ( )

First published in 1975, Cart and Cwidder is the first in the best-selling Dalemark Quartet books and tells the story of Moril and his brother (Dagner) and sister (Brid) who are travelling musicians journeying through Dalemark, until one day they pick up a mysterious passenger (kialian). Somehow Moril’s family and the stranger are becoming bound together in terror, flight, and the liberation of music.

Diana Wynne Jones is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. i love that her writing is so varied (she write fantasy, romance, time-travel, and satire, sometimes all in the same book). I think that I enjoy her because she is very great at surprising her readers. Case in point: Cart and Cwidder starts off very slowly........ but quickly turns into an enthralling high stakes adventure.

Because the father gets violently murdered.

Before he dies he tells Moril his cwidder is enchanted.

Then hours later, Lenina decides she had enough of the life of a traveling entertainer and marries a lord who might or might not have killed her husband. Forget about the children. They are optional.

So, Dagner, Brid, Moril and Kialan take off to have adventures on their own. All of a sudden: freedom fighting. Magic. And growing up.

To say anymore would be to ruin the plot of this wonderful novel. Go and read this book if you haven't yet, you'll be glad you did. I already can't wait to reread it. ( )

A short but enjoyable introduction to the Dalemark series and a re-read of a book read some years ago. Moril is the youngest son of travelling players and finds life pretty dull, his biggest challenge being to master the cwidder - the instrument played by his larger than life father, Cullen. But with shocking suddenness, life is turned upside down due to the repressive nature of life in the South Dales, where they are travelling. The stakes become increasingly raised as Moril and his siblings try to return to the free and threatened North. I won't be more specific as to give anything away would spoil the twists in a story that always keeps you guessing. ( )

Considering how much I loved the Crestomanci and Howl's Moving Castle series as a child I am shocked that I never actually read the Dalemark series. I have a vague recollection (which may be false) of trying to read them long ago - and hating them - but during this attempt I had the exact opposite reaction! The story is action-packed, the detals are rich, and Jones' character come alive on the pages as she creates a new world with new conflicts for readers to explore. I am sure that this series will become quite enthralling as Jones weaves a tale of magic, music, and personal discovery in the remaining three novels. ( )

So close to 5 stars from me (Diana Wynne Jones is a wonderful, wonderful writer), but I had some trouble accepting that the characters would be so chill about the astonishing life events befalling them—the mother, in particular, didn't ring true to me. Sorry, Ms. Jones. Otherwise it's the usual melange of likable viewpoint character, distinctive supporting cast, slightly tricksy plot, the occasional unexpected reveal, and a lot of frustration—I'm reading a collection of her short stories at the same time, and it seems like frustrated exasperation is the main mental state of most of her protagonists, you expect them to walk around going "urgh!" all the time (and then after venting, getting down to business, of course).

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, I'm a bit more ruthless. ( )