Angela and Diabola

by Lynne Reid Banks

Angela and Diabola are twins, but from the moment they enter the world - one with a smile and the other with a vengance - they have nothing in common. Angela is the perfect daughter while Diabola wreaks havoc. Yet even in their world of extremes, a balance needs to be sought..

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Young Adult, Teen, Audiobook

216 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1997

About the author

Lynne Reid Banks is a British author of books for children and adults. She has written forty books, including the best-selling children's novel The Indian in the Cupboard, which has sold over 10 million copies and been made into a film.
Banks was born in London, the only child of James and Muriel Reid Banks. She was evacuated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada during World War II but returned after the war was over. She attended St Teresa's School in Surrey. Prior to becoming a writer Banks was an actress, and also worked as a television journalist in Britain, one of the first women to do so. Her first novel, The L-Shaped Room, was published in 1960.
In 1962 Banks emigrated to Israel, where she taught for eight years on an Israeli kibbutz Yasur. In 1965 she married Chaim Stephenson, with whom she had three sons. Although the family returned to England in 1971 and Banks now lives in Dorset, the influence of her time in Israel can be seen in some of her books which are set partially or mainly on kibbutzim.

Reviews

[Kritika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 4th or 5th grade. It's been over 10 years, and I still remember the ending and how much it shocked me. Now that is an ending with impact (pun intended. Couldn't help myself!).

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember my parents buying this novel for me when I was in elementary school based on the title. My name is Angela, and when they saw a novel with a titular character sharing my name, they had to get it for me. Let me be honest, though; this is an extremely dark story for a children's book! Despite this, I absolutely loved it. I remembered so many things about it (especially the ending), even though I hadn't touched it in 20 years. When I came across it on Amazon for a cheap price, it brought back memories, so I ordered it and decided to read it again.

I won't give any spoilers away here, but there are so many moments in this book that feel like they're meant for an older audience, even though it's written in a way children can understand. The perfect, angelic Angela versus the evil, demonic Diabola is the leading point of the story, and the characters are so cartoonishly different that you can't help but keep on reading. Diabola especially gives the story that dark tone. Their toddler years have a goofy feeling to it, but once they start elementary school, things become more serious. As previously mentioned, the ending itself is so chilling that you will seriously question how many children read it without being affected in some way. The message the novel gives you by the end is a positive one for children who are trying to figure out who they are and who they want to become, though. I would give this book to my niece one day to read, though to be totally honest, I don't know what age would be appropriate for her to actually read it.

I personally love this story. I love the note of humor that's constantly appearing, the goofiness all of the characters seem to have about them (yes, even Diabola), and I love the dark and twisted ending with the overall positive message. Should children read it? Yes! When should they read it? Hmm...good question. My biggest suggestion would be to read this novel yourself first and then make the decision if your child is mature enough to handle it. I read it sometime between eight and ten years old the first time around and, even though I handled it just fine, it did leave some powerful memories behind. It's your choice!

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

For those people out there that love Ms. Banks' books and wonder why I give this book by such an excellent author a two star rating? I have always loved Lynne's stories before and I still have a fond feelings towards them when I listen to them on audio tapes however this one did not bring fond feelings back when I read this for the second time around and I should have known that it wouldn't have improved anything especially not my sudden loathing for this book and this time I finally did sorta finish it but it came with a cost. Unlike the other books that Lynne has cleverly written that fill me with happy and almost blissful feelings. Instead it brought dread and fear and loathing by the time I read the last sentence.

Diabola is such an evil character that I first pitied then loathed because you feel sorry for her and her evil ways even though she is the bad guy or lady whichever you prefer then she turns so terrible and revolting that your sudden sadness turns to.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite different from what I expected. I thought it would be a cute story about twin girls who were kind of the opposite of each other. But instead, one was the embodiment of pure good and the other of pure evil. And the ending was quite shocking. I thought that maybe it would be a book that Gibson could read, but I don't think he should read it for a few years. I do like the way this author writes, though. It reminded me of what reading a well-written story is like. I read a lot of books that tell a good story, but may not have been well-written. This was well-written, and definitely a unique story!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. It's been a while since I read it, but I do remember it being really cute story about sibling rivaly. Angela would be the perfect angel (almost literaly) and Diabola would be three horns short of the anti-christ. Haveing these two be twins only adds to the story (and comparisons).The story follows them from birth to about third grade. If I could find it again, I'd read it again.

[Allanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pair of twins, opposite and nearly-supernatural in their differences.

It was alright. There were some shades of Roald Dahl in the writing.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorites in middle school that I would definitely read again and recommend

[Sarah Leanne Maurin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like Angela but I liked Diabola. Angela was too nice and Diabola was fun. I liked Diabolas art.
- Matilda age 9

As her mother I am slightly concerned by this review
- Sarah age 38

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this years ago. I borrowed it from my school library and accidentally never returned it.... I still love the story to this day. A lot of people seem to say in their reviews that they found it somewhat disturbing, but I always thought that was part of its charm. Very Dahl-ish in it's humour, I absolutely adored it and have read it many times since.

I love the theme of names, and how they can help to shape or cement a personality- it always intrigued me! Also the exploration of the nature of parental love and the idea that even parents aren't indestructible really interested me, and it wasn't a theme I had ever encountered in a children's book before. A great book- certainly worth a read and one I will definitely be keeping on the off chance that I ever have children!

[Riri · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first it's a cute story about a pair of twins who are polar opposites. Angela is a sweet little angel, while Diabola is.. well, diabolical. The first half of the book is about how their parents handled them, which is fun to read. The last half though, the story got weirder and weirder and eventually came to an equally weird ending. Too bad, but still a good read nonetheless.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids kept bringing the book to me anytime they thought there was even a chance I'd read some of it. It is hilarious and I have read it several times. The first time was after hearing Lynn Reid Banks herself read aloud the first chapter. What a treat! That is something I'll never forget. There is nothing to equal hearing and author reading aloud their own creation!

[Cupcake Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is unputdownable It's about to twins who are supposed to be one girl, one is a incredibly sweet,good and kind the other is truley diabolical(as her name may suggest.) They get up to all sorts of things. It makes you laugh( and maybe sometimes cry).

[T. Masami Tadehara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dark and depressing in a lot of ways. If you don't mind that, you'll like it. It's about a set of twins that are diametrically opposed. Not at all like Lynne Reid Banks' Indian in the Cupboard series.

[Tiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good...

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was good. it gave me a Lungh

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but sort of weird. I can relate Diabola to my evil friend Abbie.

[Paige]

i am only starting it so that means i a am on chpt.1

[Maris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was younger. Read it more than once. Might even do so again one day.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember my camp leader read this to my cabin one summer. It was... interesting. i wouldnt say it was funny, because i didnt laugh, but it is entertaining none the less.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was wonderful because of the dark girl and the bright sister

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an exceptional read, really detailed would recommend it to anyone out there who's looking for a good book.

[Liliana Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good book because its about both good and avil and i think it means that you have to have a balance of good and evil

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute novel about the nature of good and evil and how much of it is innate. It also touches on the concept of balance and how completely opposites compliment each other. A good read for all ages.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a kid. Epic interplay between good and evil. Complex, witty, briskly paced.

[Jannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awesomely weird book about good and evil perceived in the form of twins. For school reading and one that I enjoyed

[Karla Mata-soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this so long ago, and yet I still imagine what the twins would look like. It makes me upset enough to cry.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still remember the ending of this book ten years after reading it. Not sure of the overall quality of writing, but as a 12-year-old I absolutely loved it!

[Fem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost cried at the ending. Why did it have to end like that?

[lynnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this years ago as a 12 year old; its dark,twisted,almost supernatural but amusing all the same!

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good.I read it twice!