The Ragwitch

Last updated
The Ragwitch
The ragwitch.jpg
Original 1990 edition
Author Garth Nix
Cover artistJonathan Nix
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Genre Young adult, children's, Fantasy
Publisher Tor Books (US)

HarperCollins (UK)

Pan Macmillan (Australia)
Publication date
1990
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages396 (paperback, HarperCollins)
ISBN 0-00-717499-3 (paperback, HarperCollins)
OCLC 61321684

The Ragwitch is a young adult horror/fantasy novel by Garth Nix. The book was first published in 1990 by Pan Macmillan. It was again published in 1995 by Tor Books and first published in Great Britain in 2005 by HarperCollins.

Contents

Summary

Julia and her brother, Paul, are spending a day by the beach when they discover a midden. They climb to the top, where Julia discovers a rag doll in a ball of feathers hidden in a nest. It turns out to be a powerful and evil witch, and it possesses Julia and spirits her away through a pyramid of fire. Paul manages to follow them and he finds himself in a strange country desperately unprepared for the return of the Ragwitch. At first, he meets the May Dancers, who after questioning him, lead him to the edge of the forest and set him free. The people of the land aid him as he searches for a way to free his sister, action following at every turn, as both Paul and Julia battle the Ragwitch; Julia from within Her, and Paul from outside. Paul collects several mystical objects from the powerful Elementals, before meeting with the Patchwork King, who forges for him a needle spear in order to kill the Ragwitch. There are no strong fighters to help Paul, no saviors for him and he must find his own way. Because Paul is no hero, his war is one of bravery and brains, not brawn. Julia tells her own story from the mind of the Ragwitch. Although she is much more courageous than Paul, her war is one of the mind, resisting the power of the Ragwitch from within the witch's body.

Characters

Julia: "[S]trong-willed" [1] Julia is Paul's sister. She is ensnared by the Ragwitch in the opening chapter.

Paul: The protagonist of the novel. Paul is Julia's brother.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Weirdstone of Brisingamen</i> 1960 fantasy novel by Alan Garner

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen: A Tale of Alderley is a children's fantasy novel by English author Alan Garner. Garner began work on the novel, his literary debut, in 1957, after he moved into the late medieval house, Toad Hall, in Blackden, Cheshire. The story, which took the local legend of The Wizard of the Edge as a partial basis for the novel's plot, was influenced by the folklore and landscape of neighbouring Alderley Edge where he had grown up. Upon completion the book was picked up by Sir William Collins who released it through his publishing company Collins in 1960.

<i>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</i> 1950 childrens fantasy novel by C.S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a portal fantasy novel for children by C. S. Lewis, published by Geoffrey Bles in 1950. It is the first published and best known of seven novels in The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956). Among all the author's books, it is also the most widely held in libraries. It was the first of The Chronicles of Narnia to be written and published, but is marked as volume two in recent editions that are sequenced according the stories' internal chronology. Like the other Chronicles, it was illustrated by Pauline Baynes, and her work has been retained in many later editions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garth Nix</span> Australian fantasy writer (born 1963)

Garth Richard Nix is an Australian writer who specialises in children's and young adult fantasy novels, notably the Old Kingdom, Seventh Tower and Keys to the Kingdom series. He has frequently been asked if his name is a pseudonym, to which he has responded, "I guess people ask me because it sounds like the perfect name for a writer of fantasy. However, it is my real name."

<i>Howls Moving Castle</i> (novel) 1986 fantasy book by Diana Wynne Jones

Howl's Moving Castle is a fantasy novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones, first published in 1986 by Greenwillow Books of New York. It was a runner-up for the annual Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and won the Phoenix Award twenty years later. It was adapted into an animated film of the same name in 2004, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

<i>A Hat Full of Sky</i> 2004 Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett

A Hat Full of Sky is a comic fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett, set on the Discworld and written with younger readers in mind. It is labelled a "Story of Discworld" to indicate its status as children's or young adult fiction, unlike most of the books in the Discworld series. First published in 2004, the book is set two years after The Wee Free Men, and features an 11-year-old Tiffany Aching.

<i>Abhorsen</i> 2003 novel by Garth Nix

Abhorsen is a fantasy novel by Australian writer Garth Nix, first published in 2003. It is the third book in the Old Kingdom series.

<i>The Keys to the Kingdom</i> Fantasy–adventure book series written by Garth Nix

The Keys to the Kingdom is a fantasy-adventure book series written by Garth Nix, comprising seven books published between 2003 and 2010. The series chronicles the adventures of a boy named Arthur, who becomes involved with a magical world called the 'House'; he is on a quest to take back the House from seven antagonistic 'Trustees'.

<i>Charmed Life</i> (novel) 1977 fantasy novel by Diana Wynne Jones

Charmed Life is a children's fantasy novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones published by Macmillan Children's Books in 1977. It was the first Chrestomanci book and it remains a recommended introduction to the series. Greenwillow Books published a US edition within the calendar year.

<i>Wintersmith</i> 2006 Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett

Wintersmith is a comic fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett, set in the Discworld and written with younger readers in mind. It is labelled a "Story of Discworld" to indicate its status as children's or young adult fiction, unlike most of the books in the Discworld series. Published on 21 September 2006, it is the third novel in the series to feature the character of Tiffany Aching. It received recognition as a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults from the American Library Association.

Children of the Red King is a series of ten children's fantasy, school and adventure novels written by British author Jenny Nimmo, first published by Egmont 2002 to 2010. It is sometimes called "the Charlie Bone series" after its main character. A series of five books was announced in advance, completed in 2006, and sometimes the books were called the "Red King Quintet" until its continuation.

<i>The Merlin Conspiracy</i> 2003 novel by Diana Wynne Jones

The Merlin Conspiracy is a children's fantasy novel by Diana Wynne Jones, published by HarperCollins in April 2003, simultaneously in Britain and America. It is a sequel to Deep Secret (1997).

<i>Drowned Wednesday</i> 2005 book by Garth Nix

Drowned Wednesday is the third book in The Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix. It continues the story of Arthur Pehaligon and his quest to fulfil a mysterious Will in order to reclaim an otherworldly House from seven antagonistic Trustees. Following the events of the previous novel, Arthur must secure the third part of the Will from a fiendish pirate in order to save the Border Sea from Drowned Wednesday's insatiable appetite.

<i>The Spooks Apprentice</i> 2004 childrens dark fantasy novel by Joseph Delaney

The Spook's Apprentice is a 2004 children's dark fantasy novel by Joseph Delaney. It was published by The Bodley Head and Red Fox in the United Kingdom, and Greenwillow Books in the United States. It is the first story in The Wardstone Chronicles arc of the Spook's series. The book has sold over 3 million copies and was the winner of the Sefton Book Award, Hampshire Book Award and Prix Plaisirs de Lire. It has been adapted into various mediums, including a play script, feature film titled Seventh Son, and a French graphic novel.

<i>The Darkangel Trilogy</i> Series of novels by Meredith Ann Pierce

The Darkangel Trilogy is a series of novels by American author Meredith Ann Pierce published between 1982 and 1990. It is set in the distant future, when the Moon has long since been terraformed into a lush paradise complete with its own animals, plants, and races.

<i>Mister Monday</i> 2003 book by Garth Nix

Mister Monday is the first novel in the series The Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix. It follows Arthur Penhaligon, a twelve-year-old boy who discovers that he is the heir to an otherworldly House and must fulfil a mysterious Will in order to claim it from seven antagonistic Trustees.

<i>Sir Thursday</i> Novel by Garth Nix

Sir Thursday is a young adult fantasy novel written by Australian author Garth Nix. It is the fourth book in the series The Keys to the Kingdom, and was released in March 2006. Sir Thursday continues from the preceding book, following the adventures of a boy named Arthur as he attempts to claim mastership of the fourth part of a magical world. As with the other books in the series, the theme of 'seven' is prevalent, along with the themes of sin and virtue. The book received generally favourable critical response, but was criticised for a slow pace, among other issues.

<i>Castle in the Air</i> (novel) 1990 fantasy novel by Diana Wynne Jones

Castle in the Air is a young adult fantasy novel written by Diana Wynne Jones and first published in 1990. The novel is a sequel to Howl's Moving Castle and is set in the same fantasy world, though it follows the adventures of Abdullah rather than Sophie Hatter. The plot is based on stories from the Arabian Nights. The book features many of the characters from Howl's Moving Castle as supporting characters, often under some sort of disguise.

<i>The Pinhoe Egg</i> 2006 childrens fantasy novel by Diana Wynne Jones

The Pinhoe Egg is a children's fantasy novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones published by HarperCollins Children's Books in 2006. It was the last published of the seven Chrestomanci books.

<i>The Changeover</i> 1984 young adult novel by Margaret Mahy

The Changeover: a Supernatural Romance is a low fantasy novel for young adults by Margaret Mahy, published in 1984 by J. M. Dent in the U.K. It is set in Christchurch in the author's native New Zealand.

References