📖 Overview
Jon Berkeley is an Irish author and illustrator known for writing middle-grade fantasy novels and creating illustrations for major publications including The Economist and The Sunday Times.
His most recognized work is The Wednesday Tales trilogy, beginning with "The Palace of Laughter" (2006), which follows the adventures of an orphan boy named Miles Wednesday and his circus-themed exploits. The series combines elements of dark fantasy and Victorian-era storytelling.
Berkeley's career spans both writing and professional illustration, with his artwork appearing in advertising campaigns and editorial content across Europe and North America. His illustration style often features whimsical and slightly darker undertones that complement his written work.
His other notable books include "The Thunder of Giants" and several picture books for younger readers. Berkeley currently resides in Barcelona, where he continues to work on both literary and artistic projects.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Berkeley's vivid world-building and circus-themed imagery in The Wednesday Tales series. Multiple reviews on Goodreads note his ability to create "atmospheric" and "imaginative" settings. Parents mention the books engage both adults and children without talking down to younger readers.
Readers liked:
- Detailed illustrations that complement the story
- Complex vocabulary that expands children's language
- Balance of whimsy and darker themes
- Character development of Miles Wednesday
Common criticisms:
- Pacing issues, particularly in middle sections
- Plot becomes convoluted in later books
- Some found the tone too dark for younger readers
- Character motivations unclear at times
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: The Palace of Laughter - 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Amazon: The Palace of Laughter - 4.1/5 (85+ reviews)
Barnes & Noble: The Palace of Laughter - 4/5 (40+ reviews)
One reader on Amazon noted: "Berkeley creates a unique world that feels both familiar and strange, though the story sometimes meanders."
📚 Books by Jon Berkeley
The Palace of Laughter (Book 1 of The Wednesday Tales)
Miles Wednesday, a homeless orphan, discovers a mystical circus that arrives at midnight and teams up with a singing tiger to save a captive angel while uncovering dark secrets behind the spectacle.
The Tiger's Egg (Book 2 of The Wednesday Tales) Miles and Little join forces with a group of child refugees to prevent the villainous Circus of Darkness from acquiring a powerful magical egg.
The Lightning Key (Book 3 of The Wednesday Tales) In the trilogy's conclusion, Miles faces his greatest challenge as he races to find the legendary Lightning Key before it falls into the hands of his enemies.
The Hidden Boy When Em and her family move to an isolated island, she discovers a mysterious boy who leads her into a parallel world filled with dangerous secrets.
The Thunder of Giants A historical novel following the intersecting stories of a record-breaking tall woman from the 1800s and a young girl who becomes a circus performer in the early 1900s.
The Tiger's Egg (Book 2 of The Wednesday Tales) Miles and Little join forces with a group of child refugees to prevent the villainous Circus of Darkness from acquiring a powerful magical egg.
The Lightning Key (Book 3 of The Wednesday Tales) In the trilogy's conclusion, Miles faces his greatest challenge as he races to find the legendary Lightning Key before it falls into the hands of his enemies.
The Hidden Boy When Em and her family move to an isolated island, she discovers a mysterious boy who leads her into a parallel world filled with dangerous secrets.
The Thunder of Giants A historical novel following the intersecting stories of a record-breaking tall woman from the 1800s and a young girl who becomes a circus performer in the early 1900s.
👥 Similar authors
Philip Ardagh combines Victorian-era settings with witty narratives in his Eddie Dickens series, featuring orphans and eccentric characters in fantastical situations. His work shares Berkeley's mix of darkness and whimsy in historical settings.
Chris Priestley writes Gothic-tinged tales for middle grade readers that balance supernatural elements with humor. His Tales of Terror series captures a similar narrative tone to Berkeley's work with circus and Victorian themes.
Paul Stewart creates rich fantasy worlds in his Edge Chronicles, mixing detailed illustrations with stories of young protagonists on epic journeys. His work features the same blend of adventure and slightly dark undertones found in Berkeley's books.
Eva Ibbotson writes about orphans and outsiders in magical settings that mirror Berkeley's narrative approach. Her books like The Secret of Platform 13 incorporate similar elements of hidden worlds and circus-like wonder.
Dave Shelton crafts mysteries with gothic elements and understated humor in works like A Boy and a Bear in a Boat. His illustration background and storytelling style parallel Berkeley's dual career as author-illustrator.
Chris Priestley writes Gothic-tinged tales for middle grade readers that balance supernatural elements with humor. His Tales of Terror series captures a similar narrative tone to Berkeley's work with circus and Victorian themes.
Paul Stewart creates rich fantasy worlds in his Edge Chronicles, mixing detailed illustrations with stories of young protagonists on epic journeys. His work features the same blend of adventure and slightly dark undertones found in Berkeley's books.
Eva Ibbotson writes about orphans and outsiders in magical settings that mirror Berkeley's narrative approach. Her books like The Secret of Platform 13 incorporate similar elements of hidden worlds and circus-like wonder.
Dave Shelton crafts mysteries with gothic elements and understated humor in works like A Boy and a Bear in a Boat. His illustration background and storytelling style parallel Berkeley's dual career as author-illustrator.