Customer Reviews (2)

De Lint Chap book collection
I adore De Lint as an author. This is just another great collection of stories that might have fallen along the wayside.Love it.

Perfect
Charles De Lint is my favorite author, hands down.I recently got this collection of short stories, and I think it's his best collection yet.

I wasn't so sure about getting such an expensive collection of short stories--but it was worth every penny.These stories are not just magical, and beautifully crafted, they all leave you smiling.

The perfect book to have on hand for days you just can't (or don't want to) get out of bed. ... Read more

Product Description
When folk musician Janey Little finds a mysterious manuscript in an old trunk in her grandfather's cottage, she is swept into a dangerous realm both strange and familiar. But true magic lurks within the pages of The Little Country, drawing genuine danger from across the oceans into Janey's life, impelling her--armed only with her music--toward a terrifying confrontation.

Come walk the mist-draped hills of Cornwall, come walk the ancient standing stones. Listen to the fiddles, and the wind, and the sea. Come step with Janey Little into the pages of...The Little Country.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

Awesome Book
I am a fan of fantasy and I have just discovered Charles de Lint.This is the second book I have read by him in 2 weeks and I plan to read more. To put it mildly, I really, really enjoyed it!

Sad to rate it so low, but ...
Apparently I'm one of only two people to give this book such a low rating, but ... I've tried to read this book twice now. It's lyrically written, and the premise is fascinating. However, each time I've tried to read it, I get a ways in and then find myself closing the book in annoyance. Maybe it's just me, and maybe I've been misreading it, but the split that results between Janey and (I've forgotten his name now) is based, in my mind, on a pretty weak fight. The split is obviously necessary to propel the story forward, but I found the reason for the split to be so juvenile and unbelievable, given these characters' depth and personalities, that, as stated before, I've tried and failed twice to read the book. I am however reading Moonheart and think it's wonderful, and fully plan on reading more of de Lint's books. Perhaps one day I'll be able to finish The Little Country. I hope so, as it showed a lot of promise.

Little Country Review
The book isn't bad. It's not one of de Lint's better books that I've enjoyed. What with it alternating between two different stories. That made it rather "eh" for me.

We have the story of Janey Little, a musician who discovers a manuscript from her grandfather and the story around it to keep it from the "wrong hands."

And then we have the story of Janey, which is far more memorable to me with the more fantastic elements as she battles and confronts a Witch with help from her friends.

I did enjoy this book. But it just didn't have the same feel as his Newford stories.

The second DeLint book I've read and loved!
I found The Little Country at a used book store and upon reading a few short chapters, I was hooked. I'm so busy that finding time to read is difficult, and this is the first book I've actually finished in a week, finally spending most of my Saturday reading the last half of the book (I'm not a fast reader).

The book is fantasy and mystery at its finest; well drawn characters, fast paced narration. A bit of escapism that, also has left a bit of its spirit with me.

I also read Moonheart many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. I've made a promise to myself to read more of his books this year; a promise I intend to keep...

My Favorite De Lint of All!
This is the book that made me a diehard Charles De Lint fan! I loved it and have read and re-read it time and time again! ... Read more

Product Description
After Widdershins, I thought I wouldn't write at length about Jilly again. I'd promised one more short story about her for Bill at Subterranean Press, but that would be it. Having left her in a good place at the end of Widdershins, I didn't want to complicate her life yet again, so I planned to set the story earlier in her life, during her first year as a student at Butler University.Except the story grew. I was having too much fun visiting with this younger Jilly, so I asked Bill if I could expand it to a short novel. He agreed, so now I m busily working away on this as-yet-untitled novella.It takes place in 1972 and begins with Jilly getting a surprise visit from an old friend--her only friend--from her runaway days. Interspersed with the main story that leads off from that meeting are flashbacks to pivotal moments in her life: time spent in the Home for Wayward Girls, her life on the street, meeting and working with the Grasso Street Angel, the first time she meets various familiar faces (Geordie, Sophie, etc.), and chronicles how the messed-up street kid she was grew a social conscience, and became the cheerful character we know from later stories.Although the book does deal with some serious subjects, the tone isn't all doom and gloom. And while I hope that those of you familiar with these characters will enjoy this visit with their younger selves, I'm also trying to make it a friendly entry into Newford for new readers.Lastly, I'm delighted to say that Mike Dringenberg--an artist I ve wanted to work with for ages--will be doing the cover.- Charles de Lint ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Tales of Jilly
De Lint keeps many of his main characters in his books. This book follows Jilly Coppercorn along her road of ups and downs,

Because he follows his characters you begin to know them more intimately from book to book.

Join the De Lint fan base and read one of his books.

A Promise Kept...
I love Charles De Lint and my favorite are the Newford characters. It was interesting to find out more about Jilly Coppercorn's previous life and what made her become the person she is today. A dose of real life problems interwoven with real fantasy. He always has you believing that it all could possibly exist out there!

An obvious plot and ending
If you are going to title a book "Promises to Keep" and the book's subject is about the afterlife and the trip to it you had better make sure it compares well to Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". Wile Frost's poem is a master at subtlety this book is a master at heavy handedness. There is no surprise or mystery about the plot or where it is heading. It became clear where Jilly was and that she didn't belong early on in the book. That she would return to where she belonged was no surprise. Maybe if there had been more conflict or something more than navel contemplation it would have been a better read. I've read and enjoyed "The Little Country" and a few of the other Newford books. But this prequel is at best forced and it made me feel as if the author was going through the motions to satisfy a few readers.

Promises Kept
If you're considering this book, then you're probably already familiar with Jilly Coppercorn. This is a great way to delve into her past.
If you've never read a Charles de Lint book then you're in for a treat, though earlier books would be better to begin with. de Lint does his magic like no other writer. A mixture of Modern urban, Celtic & Indian myth/folklore, served with a side of human catalyst.

Wonderful read, worth the wait
This weekend, my copy of Promises to Keep arrived. I had intended to let it sit until I had finished some of the work that I had do, but then it's hard to focus on preparing a talk when there is a bright shiny new Charles de Lint book sitting there looking at you. I swear, the book had little glistening eyes that watched everything I did and then suddenly looked away whenever I checked to see what it was doing. But I digress...

As stated in the "story about the book" on the inside cover, this was the book that grew from a short story that was to be put into a collection of stories that were never collected. It's about Jilly's early years in Newford, as Charles de Lint doesn't want to write more about her after Widdershins (Newford). It's a fine story which takes its time popping between Jilly's early life and "present day", which is when Jilly is in college. I won't spoil any of the plot points, but to say that it is fully consistent with the mythologies around Newford.

To digress a bit, the best thing about the first Alien movie was that no one really knew what the alien was. There was a sense of mystery and discovery there that wasn't possible to achieve in later films until AVP came along and reset the story. In many ways, this book does that for Newford. In fact, Charles de Lint states that he hopes that this book can become a good entry point for new readers. However, much like I wouldn't want a viewer to start with AVP, I wouldn't want a reader to start here.

There is as great a joy in rediscovery as there is in the initial discovery. If someone reads this book first, the later books will feel like review. However, if you start at the beginning with Dreams Underfoot and meander slowly through the rest of Newford, this book will feel like what it truly is. A sweet little bonus to Jilly's story; one that I'm happy to have. ... Read more

Product Description
Original essays on J.R.R. Tolkien from bestselling fantasy writers George R.R. Martin, Orson Scott Card, Terry Pratchett, Harry Turtledove, and many more. To tie in with the release of the first blockbuster film in New Line Cinemas Lord of the Rings trilogy, Meditations on Middle-Earth presents a collection of insightful, original essays by todays top fantasy and science fiction authors on the importance of The Lord of the Rings to their lives and their work. Additional bestselling and award-winning authors include: Raymong E. Feist, Ursula Le Guin, Gene Wolfe, Charles de Lint, Poul Anderson, and more! Also included is stunning original art by John Howe, the worlds foremost Tolkien illustrator, who is working closely with director Peter Jackson on the upcoming films. This blockbuster book is an absolute must-have for Tolkien fans.Amazon.com Review
If you remember where you were when you first read The Hobbit or the Lord of the Rings trilogy, then this collection of essays by some of fantasy and science fiction's most popular authors is worth a look.J.R.R. Tolkien's impact on fantastic fiction--and its writers--is explored in contributions that range from intensely personal expressions of the power and beauty of Tolkien's work to more analytical examinations of his style, language, and influences.

Standouts include Michael Swanwick's thoughtful and powerful meditation on heroism and consequences; Ursula K. Le Guin's analysis of narrative rhythm and language in the trilogy; Terri Windling's moving reflection on an escape from abuse fueled by the power of fairy tales; and Douglas A. Anderson's examination of the critical response to Tolkien's work.

This is an uneven collection, with a couple of downright clunkers, but it should appeal to Tolkien aficionados who are interested in the master's influence on those working in the field today. --Roz Genessee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

splendid anthology
I love anthologies where I read *every single* item..I bought this originally for the essay by Diane Duane, one of my favourite authors.I was pleasantly surprised to find I liked every single essay, even the ones with conflicting points of view, even the one by Poul Anderson..(although I did find that one the dryest).That said, these are all by professional authors, so the disease that so often blights academic collections, i.e. wonderful ideas completely killed by inedible prose, is not present.The subjects of the essays vary greatly; there are lots of personal recollections of reading Tolkien for the first time, Esther Friesner talks about how hot people with pointed ears are, Orson Scott Card talks about critical approaches to Tolkien (and it's *fun*!), Ursula K Le Guin talks about rhythmic pattern in Tolkien's prose.There are essays by: Raymond Feist, Poul Anderson, Michael Swanwick (another funny one!), Esther Friesner, Harry Turtledove, Terry Pratchett, Robin Hobb, Ursula Le Guin, Diane Duane, Douglas Anderson, Orson Scott Card, Charles de Lint, Lisa Goldstein, Glenn Hurdling (interviewing the Hildiebrant brothers), and Terri Windling, along with two introductions by Karen Haber and George R R Martin (they had to get the author with the most similar name to J R R Tolkien..).Anyway, if you like the fiction of any of these, you'll probably like the essays.

Interesting for reasons beyond Tolkien
This book was clearly published with the expectation that it'd ride the wave of publicityfor the LOTR movies, and perhaps it did. With the movies all on DVD now, maybe it seems less relevant than it once did. As other reviewers have mentioned, the essays in this book vary quite a bit in quality, and they approach the "What Lord of the Rings Means" question from different angles.

However, I think the book is worth reading -- once -- for a slightly different reason than Tolkien or LOTR. If you like Tolkien but aren't fanatical about the subject (not *all* of us feel the need to re-read the trilogy once a year), you may still enjoy many of these essays because you can hear how your favorite authors think, the unique way in which they were influenced by what they read... the author's own voice, in other words, rather than the stories they tell.

I kept imagining that I was attending a panel about "what LOTR meant to me" at an SF convention, and that many of the authors had interesting things to say. If you take the book from that viewpoint, you'll probably enjoy it. And if you're a writer yourself, you should definitely grab a copy.

For instance, Robin Hobb writes about being blown away by Tolkien's ability to create the setting in a novel. ("True setting is far more than descriptive passages about birch trees in winter, or picturesque villages. Tolkien's setting invoked a time and a place that was as familiar as home to me, yet unfolded the wonders and dangers of all that I had always suspected was just beyond the next hill.") Hobb's novels are masterworks of setting, so you see both the influence on the developing writer, and the reason for their impact.

Similarly, Ursula LeGuin sees the books in terms of word rhythms;Charles deLint writes about the impact of the Fairy Story (in the larger, romantic sense). This book gives you a unique view into the minds of the authors you may admire.

It also, alas, shows that not all of them are as skilled at writing an essay as they are with fiction. Esther Freisner does a damned good job (funny, too), but a few of the others wander around aimlessly, forgetting to make a point. Again, it's rather like a panel at an SF Con.

You shouldn't feel compelled to acquire a copy of this book, but don't pass it by, either. Good library fodder, or perhaps a read-and-pass-on book.

An almost-perfect celebration of Tolkien
Mostly good, this collection did have some serious downfalls. For the positives first, in general this was a great celebration of Tolkien's enduring effect on the fantasy field, and of his works. Most of the contributers to this wanted to share their experiances and debts to Tolkien's works, but a few seemed just as happy to grab their own fame out of this enterpriese. An essay-by-essay review in the order that they appear...

George R.R. Martin: Unfortunatly stuck with the intro, Martin discusses Tolkienesque and epic fantasy, the latter being his main style. Engaging and interesting, and much too short.

Raymond E. Fiest: So-so essay, entertaining but not overly informative or interesting.

Poul Anderson: I remember nothing of this one save that it was the only essay that I couldn't finish...and it wasn't even that long.

Michael Swanwick: My memory of this one is sketchy as well, but a wonderfully tied-together essay that was much more united than many of these, and inspiring. A new author to me, this essay impressed me with his style and appriciation and understanding of Tolkien's works.

Esther M. Friesner: Not very on-topic, but it made me laugh...different style, but good enough.

Harry Turtledove: Never did get the point he was trying to make, I don't think he did either. Rambling and random, but not boring at least.

Terry Pratchett: Pratchett was a bit condesencing (or more than a bit) in his essay, and it appeared to me that he came into the deal just to help sell the book with his popular name. No insights in this, and his lack of passion for Tolkien is apparent.

Robin Hobb: A refreshingly fluid essay, sharing her personal experiances and thoughts about the books. Loved this one, and I agreed with her on almost everything she said. Respectful of Tolkien in the way that I am...not forceful, but deeply passionate in a quiter way.

Ursula K LeGuin: Took me awhile to finish this one, but left me with a much better understanding of Tolkien's styles in prose. If you're shooting for new but not radical ideas and thoughts, this is worth the price of the book!

Diane Duane: More of a personal experiance essay, okay and entertianing enough, but not much substance.

Douglas A. Anderson: He said some things I didn't agree with, but his essay was excellent and informative, while being engaging. A nice history of Tolkien both personal and historical, nicely done.

Orson Scott Card: A bit rambling, but, though some of his ideas were questionable for me, very good. Card once again demostrates his understanding of the genre and its history and mechanics, conveying this in his usual intimate, sometimes sarcastic, fast-moving and informative fashion that I love so much.

Lisa Goldstien: Never heard of her, but a nice essay on why Tolkien was so different, important, and nessecary to our world.

Charles De Lint: I feel that he has seriously mis-interpretted certain bits of the book, seeing it as a bit too allegorical, and only grasping the points of it that he wants to understand. Poltically correct, this essay started good and went bad.

Hildebrant brothers: Can't say enough bad about them. They did this just for their own publicity, and I got very, very tired of hearing about how wonderful they were, and how perfect their interpretations were, and how much fun it is to illustrate...bleh. They are arrogant, concieted, and condecending, trying to compare themselves to Tolkien, and getting all upset over the lack of feminism in the books. Good for Tolkien, I say! I'm a woman, it doesn't bug me, and I don't need a bunch of guys looking out for my best intrests. I can do that myself! Burn this conversation, folks. It was awful.

Terri Windling: Nice conclusion to the book, inspiring and hopeful, and very touching. A bit feministic for my tastes, but a true tribute to Tolkien.

Overall, nice essays in general. If you're wondering, buy it. It's good light reading. But if you're looking for a serious academic study of Tolkien, buy Tom Shippey's "J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century" instead.

Brings out my own memories
This book really brought back some great memories. And not really in the vein of Tolkien amazingly enough. ( I am a major FAN of Tolkien). No, I was shockedthat when reading these essays I was quickly thrown back into my teenage years where I would read nothing but sci-fi/fantasy. I had almost forgotten how most of these authors had written in a basic, easy to read style that appealed to a young lad caught up in an adventurous, romantic mind set. I read these books as if I were love starved housewife needing my "Fabio on the cover" fix.
The good news is that I eventually outgrew this fixation, learning to read books that weren't written in under a month. But this book made me want to read some of their newer works, and, (gasp), reread some of them.
But seriously, this book is well worth the read. Some of the authors aren't all that great at writing non-fiction, (or even fiction for that matter), but it is nice to see them rahpsodizing about Tolkien. It is is also very nice to see John Howe's sketches scattered throughout, and his artwork on the cover was one of my favorite pictures long before I ever heard his name. He is an excellent artist, and I am so glad they used him as a conceptual designer on the LOTR' movies.
I give here a brief review of half the essays.
Karen Haber- Even though she was the editor of this book, her preface wasn't anything to write home about. Okay, I'll say it. It was DUMB.
George R.R. Martin- Martin, being stuck with the introduction, gives a short, concise read of what fantasy is and how Tolkien changed it. Well written and likable.
Michael Stanwick- I have never had the pleasure of reading Mr. Stanwick, but this gives me the desire to. He relates his experiences reading LOTR, gives a very nice piece on some of the dynamics of the characters, and talks of Tolkien's thoughts on allegory. He then finishes with a wonderfully heartwarming rendition of him reading the books to his young son, and how much more Sam's last words "Well, I'm back." meant to him then.
Esther Friesner- This essay was just plain funny. That is all I really remember. She didn't seem to have much to convey, but she did make me laugh.
Terry Pratchett- In true Brittish style, Pratchett brings real comic relief to this book. Just reading a short work as this brings to mind Monty Python, Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and his very own Discworld. This time he jumps headlong into the question" why is LOTR's still considered a cult classic, when it is the most popular book of the twentieth century?".He answers this in a way that would make Terry Gilliam or John Cleese proud to have written, showing how Mona Lisa and Pride and Prejudice fit into the equation. Bravo.
Ursula K. LeGuin- This was probably the best written of the bunch. Bypassing the "this is how I was first introduced to Tolkien's work" that pervades this book, Ursula gives a nice review of how Tolkien wrote his prose almost in a poetic metre. Taking one chapter of the fellowship, she shows how the different beats of action all corelate into a masterful work. Wish I had wrote it.
Orson Scott Card- The first page or two was alright, but after that it quickly detiorated into a study of "serious" vs. "escapist", that lost me in almost every paragraph. While making a few interesting points, it seemed mostly like he was just writing at random, and then forgot to put it into a cohesive format. All I can say is that Card should stick to writing fiction.
Hildebrandt Brothers- Before I write anything else, let me say this. I have never liked the brothers art. Sorry, but my bias will probably show in this one. Personally, I don't think that this should have been included in the book. Why not have John Howe or Alan Lee write something instead of this (rather lame) interview. Mostly they just banter back and forth about how skilled they are, talking about all their various projects, and occasionally thanking Tolkien for giving them the source material that made them famous. Pass.
Terri Windling- More so than all the others, this essay truly moved me. It recalled the wondefully romantic (in the classical sense of the word) thoughts, ideas, and feelings that I have always ascoiated with Tolkien, Indeed all fantasy in general. Interestingly enough, it wasn't the LOTR's that made her feel this way, But Tolkien's excellent lecture "On Fairy Stories", a beautiful work on the role of fantasy in the adult life. She also makes some great points about how Disney has changed the way we look at fairy tales, making them something just for children. Placing this essay at the end of the book definatly makes it feel as if they left the one of best for last.

Should you read this book? If you are a fan of tolkien, and don't mind a little light-hearted writing about him, then yes. If however you just happen to like a particular contributer, then you should probably shy away from this one.

Insightful collection of essays
MEDITATIONS ON MIDDLE EARTH is a collection of essays focusing on J.R.R. Tolkien's works, especially the Middle Earth saga.Some of the more renowned fantasy authors of today evaluate the series that made fantasy a household name.Surprisingly, though everyone agrees that Professor Tolkien opened up the genre to the middle class, not all of the contributors are fans of the actual novels.Insightful and entertaining, each essay is well written with the writer's particular spin.However, this anthology will be loved by those readers analyzing the various cultures in a way that cultural anthropologists would envy or by those fans who cherish Beowulf, which Tolkien felt is the forefather of the genre.

Harriet Klausner ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Beautiful childrens story
I really enjoyed this book. It had the perfect blend of charm, wit and common sense that i find lacking in alot of young adult reading materials. The tale can be described as provinchal, with basic morals albeit tacked onto a larger frame work of fantasy and lore. I appreciated the authors inclusion of ritual to show ones respect for nature. It seemed at times a parable about nature, and certainly after reading the book i find myself that much more enraptured by the natural world and all it contains. Some of the more prevelant themes in the books had to do with knowledge, doing the right thing, and history. Each strand interweaving; building a whole tappestry of feelings and thoughts, with the sole purpose to enrapture the audience.
I always try to look at the heart of any story and this one was about not looking at the surface of things, not being fooled by the glomer of the world nor its strict adherience to rigidity either. I think it is a story worth sharing with an audience as young as 7-10 years old. I reccomend this book

Seven Wild Sisters
Sara Jane was the fourth of seven red haired sisters.She meets an old lady, her name is Aunt Lilian.She lives a simple life on top of a mountain.They became good friends.Sara Jane helped her with chores, and learned about herbs and plants.Also, Aunt Lilian told her fairy tales stories about The Apple Tree Man, The Father of Cats, bee fairies and sangmen who lived in another world.I really enjoyed this book. It was full of fantasy, suspenseful and some of the characters were funny. It was hard to put the book down.

[NO TITLE]
de Lint remains an author capable of producing wonders in the short form. His ability to create memorable characters with only a few deft strokes turns a sweet and simple tale into something that works better, in many ways, than a novel at evoking a mood and feeling. Only hinting at the larger world and broader concerns of the Newford novels and story sequences, SEVEN WILD SISTERS opens itself within, drawing us deeper into a contained physical space and setting that proves to hold all we could care to fill it with. A terrific book, hopefully with further tales to follow. ... Read more

Product Description
In this third anthology of modern Canadian speculative fiction, we present more alternate realities in time and space by new and established Canadian authors.

Travel to a planet where the five senses are no good enough...Watch a baseball game on Mars...Fly with Garuda, the king of birds, to see what kind of human folly he can find to amuse the gods...Visit a laundromat that can take you anywhere in space and time...Stroll through a holograph of the last forest on earth...See how time will end, with a jolt or a gradual slide...

Includes authors such as: Margaret Atwood, Charles DeLint, Elizabeth Vonarburg, Phyllis Gotlieb, Dave Duncan, William Gibson and others. ... Read more

Product Description
Newford's citizens--fey folk, magicians, hustlers, painters, fiddlers, and ordinary people--stumble headfirst into enchanting adventures. By the author of Spirit Walk, The Little Country, and Moonheart. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Urban Fantasy at its absolute grandest!!!
Dreams Underfoot is the first book I ever read by Charles De Lint, and he became my favorite author half way through the text.Although I have read every other De Lint book or story I can find, and they are all simply breathtaking, (check out Memory and Dream!!) Dreams Underfoot has remained my favorite.Sentimentality, no doubt.Dreams Underfoot is a tapestry novel, with characters and events that weave themselves together to give you a fabulous picture of the city of Newford and all its strange and wonderful aspects.De Lint's writing style is brilliant, both lyrical and funny, both sad and strange.If you like Fantasy novels, in particular Urban Fantasy, then do not, under any circumstances, miss this book.De Lint is considered one of the seminal authors of the Urban Fantasy genre, and there is no doubt in my mind that he is a master of his craft.

Exquisite and poignant urban fantasy
Skillfully interweaving magic, music, art, compassion, and contemporary issues such as child abuse and homelessness, Charles DeLint is hardly an escapist.However, in this anthology he offers glimpses of a well-realized world much like our own, just different enough to allow faerie to wander city streets barefoot in winter, or for a practical joke involving a gorilla suit to lead to a fleeting encounter with a genuine yeti.My favorite story in the collection is a gorgeous, heartbreaking retelling of 'The Little Mermaid'. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Another De Lint Delight
Three stories from Newford all in one book.

De Lint is my favorite author and I almost all of his works. Some even signed.

Perhaps you either like him or don't. But I think if you are in to fantasy and his work being urban fantasy which most can relate to - well how can you not help but like him?

A Newford threesome
The Hour Before Dawn & Two Other Stories from Newford is a short but weighty collection of three stories by acclaimed urban fantasy writerCharles de Lint.

"The Hour Before Dawn" is a delightful stretch for de Lint. Although based in his usual Newford digs, de Lint has spun the calendar back to 1957 for a detective potboiler with a Newford twist: Jack Daniels, private eye, talks to the dead. He doesn't want to, mind, but they come all the same -- usually in the last dream before morning, mostly because they need his help. Unfinished business, that sort of thing. That, combined with vivid memories of Korea, a close friend and partner who ate his own gun, and a mean-spirited ex-wife, have Jack drowning himself in the bottle for which he was named. Then his ex-wife's sister-in-law shows up, and Jack didn't even know she was dead....

"That was Radio Clash" is a surprising tribute to Joe Strummer, a musician best known for his work with the Clash and the Pogues. It's surprising in that it's not actually about Strummer, it's about a blue-haired young woman who mourned his death. It's also about second, and maybe even third, chances to define one's life. It's obliquely about the importance of music as compared to the importance of the musician. And it's very, very sweet.

"The Butter Spirit's Tithe" is set on the road with two musicians, one of whom is Miki from de Lint's novel "Forests of the Heart." The other is Conn, a middlin' guitarist and erstwhile janitor who had the misfortune to anger one of the Little People, for which his soul was promised to the Grey Man as a seventh-year tithe. But Miki has had past dealings with the faerie realms, and she doesn't take kindly to their casual attitude towards mortal lives. And, drawing on a traditional ballad for inspiration. she might be able to devise a way to untangle poor Conn's knot.

Bonus: For the first time, de Lint supplies his own artwork to illustrate the stories. The photo illustrations are a montage of images that nicely create atmosphere without strictly defining his characters.

Pleasant little book
I'm a big DeLint fan, but these 3 short stories just didn't grab me as much as some of his previous work. I think I'm just missing Jilly Coppercorn and friends... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Road to Lisdoonvarna
As a longtime fan of de Lint's books I was a little wary of his change in focus from mythic tales to a "hard boiled" detective story (in Charles' own words "a mystery novel with a PI as a lead character").But I quickly changed my mind as I read this in less than a day and found myself not willing to put it down (as I really wanted to know what happened to the characters).And, since I took time to read the introduction, I knew that Charles de Lint himself found that he too became caught up in the story and wanted to find out "what happens!" (he originally wrote this story in 1984/85 and re-wrote it for this edition).He has again proven himself to be a master story teller of many genre and he has created a cast of characters that would fit in almost any of his current urban mythic stories (and I hope he makes sure to fit them in sometime in the future).He makes reference to some very well known mystery authors (Mickey Spillane, Andrew Vachss, and Dennis Lehane) as being some of HIS favorite authors and you can clearly see the similarities in the story. Yet, it remains a true Charles de Lint book in the way he makes the characters come alive.My only real complaints about this book would have to be its' title (which is a bit on the long side albeit totally appropriate to the story) and the fact that I think the book is too darn short (and I do acknowledge the fact that it is as long as was needed to get the story told).I was just hoping to enjoy it for a few more days.Luckily, I can just go to my overstuffed bookshelves and pull out one of his older books and enjoy more of his fine writing. ... Read more

Product Description
Tesseracts 4 expands futures in specualtive and sciencefiction as we present our latest anthology of new and establishedCanadian writers.

Enter worlds where reproductive laws yield a biotechnical marriage ofthe flesh...take the stage with a rock 'n' roll band, it's fame,fortune and phantom...prepare for the gift of flight on eagles'wings...experience the angst of a mother as she searches for herabducted dream child on video...hand raise a mystical beast in thecomfort of your own home...go behind a freakshow cage to meet aphilosophical man-faced dog...charge a truly animalistic sexuality toyour credit card...

Includes authors such as: Candas Jane Dorsey, Dave Duncan, UrsulaPflug, Tom Henighan Phyllis Gotlieb, Charles DeLint, ElisabethVonarburg and others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Our Lady of the Harbour
A beautiful story. Well, worth reading.Please note this work is a chap book, not a full sized novel.The story was later reprinted in one of DeLint's anthologies, "Dreams Underfoot".

Our Lady of the Harbour
If you are familiar with Charles de Lint you know he is an artist. He uses words to paint beautiful, touching portraits of the inner hidden side of humanity and it just shines! This is a story to read and reread and then read again. ... Read more

Product Description

"Hank just wanted away from here. He'd sampled some hallucinogens when hewas a kid and the feeling he had now was a lot like coming down from anacid high. Everything slightly askew, illogical things that somehow madesense, everything too sharp and clear when you looked at it but fading fastin your peripheral vision, blurred, like it didn't really exist."Fans of Emma Bull andTerri Windling(as both an editor and an author) will enjoy de Lint. He can make you believe"as many as six impossible things before breakfast." --Nona Vero ... Read more

Customer Reviews (46)

Believe
Welcome to Newford.Join the folks who sit around the fire by Moth's trailer in the junkyard; meet Hank, a truly decent fellow who glimpses the reality that we never really see... and let the world of urban fantasy and Native mythology wrap around you.The characters are real and the supernatural close.Too close.Particularly when it doesn't want to be exposed.Especially when there is a battle going on that... well, I'm not giving it away.

I LOVE this novel.So much that I'd like to live on the same block as the Crow sisters.(Though I suspect they wouldn't be much interested in me.)

Easily one of the best books I've ever read
Sometimes you stumble across a book with a plot so intricate and fascinating that you can't put it down, with characters so rich and developed you almost feel as though you could reach out and touch them.A book that has such power and beauty that you can get lost in it...and emerge in the end not only entertained, but with a feeling of hope for the world.Charles De Lint's "Someplace To Be Flying", is one of those books.
As an avid reader, I have read hundreds upon hundreds of fantasy books, and this one easily makes my top ten.I first came across this book in a college library, and was so moved by the first few chapters I ended up buying myself a copy. This is a beautiful book, a fantastic meld of Native American legends with urban fantasy. De Lint is a master at weaving stories and characters together, and it was amazing to watch all the different stories being told in the book came together as a whole.Not to mention that the ending itself was one of the most deeply uplifting conclusions to a story that I'd read in a long time, not fake-sweet or cliche as many "uplifting" endings, but very real.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a penchant for fantasy, or for that matter, anyone who just loves intriguing characters and a great story.This book single-handedly turned me into a De Lint fan, and I would recommend it to other first time readers, as it stands on its own with no need to have read any of his other works.Although, with due warning, after reading it, you may, like me, suddenly "need" to procure more De Lint books :)

Some Place To Be Flying Review
I've read this book once before and I remember walking away from it throughly enjoying the book.

The second time through, I'm still enjoying the book but now I'm looking at the details closer and wondering why?

Such as Lily going out into the Toombs in search of Animal People? Her reasoning for it isn't clear enough? Because Jack told her stories of Animal People? Okay...

A rather rough start...

And yeah, I'd have liked to have seen more involving Lily and Hank as they're the two introduced at the start of the story before the entire rest of the cast involved.

The crow girls are just awesome.

But yeah it really is a case of de Lint introducing a huge cast of characters at one point and side tracking to get them developed enough.

Katey, why is Kerry still willing to see them? Still willing to talk to them after what happened to her? If it was me, I'd have told her have a good life without me. And walked away.

There's also a lot of back stories that are given throughout the book so the plot of Animal People will even make sense. And a lot of favoring alternative life styles.

The pacing, detailing, storytelling of this book are very engaging and it is a book I would reccommend to someone who loves Urban Fantasy.

interesting novel with some unique twists
an out of the ordinary novel that includes some unique ideas and plot twists. The ending seemed to lose a little steam after much of the mystery was revealed. an enjoyable read though.

a story that stays with you
DeLint is the kind of author who makes you slow down and actually read the work. While today's popular fiction tends to follow the very American concept of instant gratification, DeLint demands of his readers that they be patient, attentive and open minded.

'Some Place to be Flying' is a glowing example of what an author can do when they understand the craft of writing and the craft of seducing an audience. Despite my early apprehensions about such a large group of characters and the various story threads connected to each distinct character, DeLint manages to bring things together in such a sublime fashion you'll not even realize he's done it. He makes complex writing look simple.

Moreover, his characters are all their own person's, with needs, worries and hopes that make them brilliant, alive and empathetic. Even in dealing with situations based far from a character's expected reality, DeLint manages to maintain the tension and energy of that character so you, the reader, continue to turn the page.

I was amazed by this book: the stories that populate the pages have stayed with me from the moment I put the book down, and I've been an avid DeLint fan ever since.

BB ... Read more

Product Description
Max Trader is a master craftsman - a maker of guitars, solitary, and quiet. Johnny Devlin is unemployed - a ladykiller, a drunk, a charming loser. One morning they inexplicably wake up in each other's bodies - a total switch. ... Read more