Review: The Diamond in the Window

5 stars. This book captivated me when I was younger - both my sister and I inherited it as a particular favorite of our mother’s. A family mystery, dream clues, an attic bedroom tucked away? We re-read it many times. We were also read other books in Jane Langton's repertoire (I can practically hear my dad's voice...) and enjoyed them all immensely. So I opened this with intense curiosity, hoping it would hold up. And it was... a fascinating experience.

Eleanor and Edward live in a very special house in Concord with their Aunt Lily and Uncle Freddy. They live a peaceful if somewhat sad family life, as several relatives are missing - having disappeared under mysterious circumstances years ago. When two very unpleasant townspeople threaten to repossess the house due to taxes owed, the children embark on a vivid, fantastic, dangerous treasure hunt to find their family and save their house.

From a writing perspective, this book is pretty much perfect. The descriptions are imaginative and colorful and captivating, the pacing is great for kids, and the way E&E's real-life experiences informed the dream games was honestly really fun. There are some important lessons embedded maybe not so subtly around selflessness, sacrifice, identity, knowledge, and choices - I stand by them. 

But I don't love that Eleanor's mirror path led her to motherhood, and Edward's reflected him as President. There were some odd religious overtones (or maybe undertones?)… just some intense/weird religious imagery that confused me... but honestly didn't phase me for a second as a kid. That stuff went right over my head - I never once connected it to religion in any way. So much for being “exposed” to dangerous concepts... I guess I was too dumb to be "corrupted."

So, yes, halfway through I was feeling 4 stars. But the ending wraps things up so beautifully - so, so beautifully - I can’t help but give it 5. It's a wonderful, transporting, adventure story. There are some dark and spooky moments which only add to the thrill. And these characters - you cannot help but love them, deeply. Uncle Freddy forever.

The Diamond in the Window on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads | StoryGraph