Limbo Lodge

Joan Aiken, born in Sussex in 1924 to poet Conrad Aiken, ventured into writing after diverse roles at the BBC and the United Nations. Her literary journey began with the publication of her first children's novel, The Kingdom of the Cave, in 1960. Aiken's family background in literature, including her novelist sister Jane Aiken Hodge, influenced her career in storytelling, showcasing her talent in creating imaginative worlds for young readers.