Synopses & Reviews
Lynne Reid Banks, bestselling author of the award-winning Indian in the Cupboard books, has created a darkly comic, modern classic tale of good and evil. As powerful as it is funny, Angela and Diabola is a story that will speak to young readers on many levels. Twins Angela and Diabola come into the world as different as night and day. From the very beginning, Angela is a happy, beautiful, perfect, blue-eyed little girl. A joy to her parents, she never, never cries. Diabola arrives kicking and screaming, her green eyes flashing and her not-pretty face purple with rage. She is the bane of her parents' lives. With each passing day, Angela becomes more loving, caring, and beautiful. Meanwhile, Diabola tries her best (worst) to be as hateful and revolting as she can be. And she is successful at it-really successful. While Angela makes everyone happy, Diabola makes people infuriated, frightened, and sick to their stomachs. When the twins are old enough for school, it's a nightmare. Angela loves school, and the teacher loves Angela. Diabola has found another place to be her outrageous and appalling self. She spits in the teacher's eye and worse. No one has ever seen such a dreadful child and no one knows whatto do about her-not the twins' parents, not the teachers, not even the authorities. Only Angela has the power to affect her twin. But changing Diabola comes at a terrible price...
Synopsis
Wicked, hilarious magic in an acclaimed novel of good and evil twins, from The New York Times bestselling author of The Indian in the Cupboard.
Twins "Angela and Diabola" are as different as day and night. From the moment they are born, Angela is beautiful, loving, and perfect in every way. Diabola is ugly, unpleasant, and troublesome in direct proportion. No one knows what to do about the horrid child, and only her twin Angela has the power to affect her -- but at a terrible price.
"A wickedly comic novel....A modern fairy tale in form, arch in style". -- The New York Times Book Review
"The expansive storytelling and comic exaggeration produce high kid appeal". -- Publishers Weekly
"This book is truly wicked fun". -- Chicago Tribune
"Fans of the ridiculous, and of Roald Dahl, should enjoy this wicked romp". -- School Library Journal
About the Author
Lynne Reid Banks was born in London. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she acted and wrote for the repertory stage. Later, she turned to journalism, becoming one of Britain's first female television news reporters. In 1962 she emigrated to Israel, where she married a sculptor, had three sons and taught for eight years in a kibbutz. She now lives with her husband in England. She writes, travels, and visits schools, at home and abroad, full-time. Among Lynne Reid Banks's popular novels for young readers are Angela and Diabola; Harry the Poisonous Centipede; The Fairy Rebel; The Farthest-Away Mountain; The Adventures of King Midas; The Magic Hare; Maura's Angel; and the award-winning Indian in the Cupboard books.