Charles de Lint

[davidinalameda]

I think I have found a new favorite author

Just finished reading The Onion Girl

it was such a refreshing change from your standard fantasy novel

he writes like I want to write

[Mojambo]

1. I've seen his stuff, but never picked it up

Tell me, what do you find so attractive about his writing?

[davidinalameda]

2. I've only read one of his novels so I'm no expert

but the VAST majority of fantasy novels start out the same way--character goes on a quest; finds out s/he has great powers, some great destiny, etc

on this quest, s/he gathers others around him/her to join him/her on said quest

they get to where they're going--big batter ensues, destiny fulfilled

the de Lint book I read is nothing like this at all

to me, most fantasy is escapism. Hell, if it wasn't for fantasy novels, I'd be up in that clock tower with the rifle.

good fantasy transcends the ordinary pulp novel but it still follows that formula

The Onion Girl has those fantastical aspects--character finds out she has power, fights big battle, etc but it's all on a human level rather than some grand scale

the main character of the novel is supposed to be Jilly but I would argue that it's her sister Raylene. Raylene discovers the most about herself of all the characters in the book. She's the one who has the big revelation.

And the characters are so well written! You don't have your standard stock characters.

Pick it up and I think you'll love it.

[Mojambo]

3. I think I will, thanks. n/t

[LWolf]

4. Somebody in this forum recommended de Lint

when we first got "groups." I don't remember who, but I picked one up, and I've been addicted ever since. I liked all of the Newford stories, and finished "Onion Girl" last month. I was at the book store yesterday and picked up a new (to me) book to read this week: "Trader."

[WildClarySage]

5. Oooooohhhhhhh Goodie! A de Lint thread!!!

Onion Girl is a great story. Jilly is a peripheral character in lots of his newford stories. Next, get Someplace to be Flying, and follow that up with Forests of the Heart. The mix of the everyday and the fantastic is what draws you in, the excellent writing keeps ya there. I know what you mean about his writing the way you want to. He just gets characters. And his women characters, especially. Many male writers just can't do authentic females, but de Lint's are very well done.

[davidinalameda]

6. thanks for the suggestions

Jilly is a wonderful character

she's one of my favorite characters in all of fantasy right now

[davidinalameda]

7. just ordered Forests of the Heart

the paperback version of Someplace isn't out yet

[blindpig]

8. refreshing indeed

I'd gotten to the point where I wouldn't consider a book with a dragon, warrior or wizard on the cover or the word war in the title. Overkill, overkill, overkill. Picked up on Onion Girl in the new section at the library and then consumed the half dozen offerings on the regular shelf. He and China Meivile have been my best fiction "discoveries" in the last few years. De Lint's use of European and Native American mythos was right up my alley.

[Redneck Socialist]

9. Same here

It has gotten so that I can't stomach another read about wizards, elves and what not, but I love De Lint's stuff.

[davidinalameda]

10. I know

I put down one book when I got my copy of Forests in the mail recently.

[davidinalameda]

11. just finished Forests Sunday and bought Dreams Underfoot last night

love this man!

[LWolf]

12. I just passed "Trader"

on to my son yesterday; I'm waiting for his response. De Lint doesn't offer up his usual preference in fantasy, but there is enough great stuff there to hook him, I think. I'll know when the rest of my De Lints begin disappearing off the shelves. ;-)

[Astarho]

13. Ever read Moonheart or Spiritwalk?

They are some of his earlier stuff, but still has his characteristic style. Another recommendation is Jack the Giantkiller (sometimes combined with it's sequel Drink Down the Moon into Jack of Kinrowan)

[MountainLaurel]

14. Just read a collection of his short fiction

Aimed at young adult readers, called "Waifs and Strays." Good stuff.

[Greyskye]

15. I've been meaning to start a de Lint thread for ages!

He's pretty much my favorite author. I think I've read just about everything he's written, with the exceptions being some early novels that he released under a different name.

De Lint is one of those authors who's writing just keeps getting better and better. His characters are well written, fully 'fleshed out', and give you hope that there is still good in the world. He has truly taken the sub-genre of "Urban Fantasy" and made it his own.

Highly recommended!

[Greyskye]

16. Almost finished with "Moonlight & Vines"

Another collection of Newford stories.

Damn but he's a great writer!


I'm addicted to reading. I've always got at least one or two books going at any given time. But whenever anyone asked me who my favorite author was; I was stymied. How in the world could I choose between so many authors in so many different genres?

After I discovered de Lint, I found that my indecisiveness had been vanquished. For the last few years, I no longer have had any difficulties in stating who my favorite author is: Charles de Lint.

[Greyskye]

17. The Blue Girl

A CdL book I hadn't even heard of, and it's been out for a number of years! I found it when I was walking through the Young Adult section at Borders. Other than the fact that the protagonists are high school students, this is pretty much your standard (read 'stellar') Newford novel. Cameos by some of your regular Newford residents.

Highly recommended!

[LWolf]

18. I read this one last week, as a matter of fact.

I was eager for another visit to newford, and this one didn't disappoint.

[Greyskye]

19. follow up book to Onion Girl - Widdershins

Just finished Widdershins last night, which is very much a continuation of the story started in Onion Girl.

CdL continues to show why he is my absolute favorite author. His lengthy denouement proves once again (IMHO) to be even better than his (outstanding) actual climax of the book. I find his work is inspiring in so many ways, I find it difficult to see how anyone couldn't love his books.

I decided last night as I was lying in bed thinking over Widdershins after I had finished it, that I have a new personal project. Every used book store that I go into, I'm going to pick up any used CdL books I can find, and use them as give-aways to friends, strangers, and places that have free books available to read (such as B&B's, youth hostels, etc.) I've recommended him tons of times to people, but handing them one of his books and telling them that they have to read it will be an even more effective way of spreading the word. :hippie:

[RiDuvessa]

20. I am a big fan of his short stories.

Not such a big fan of his novels. I do think this is a compliment, because I think it's harder to write good short stories then it is to write novels.

I haven't read Onion Girl or Widdershins but I have read Jack of Kinrowan and the followup to that novel. A few others that I can't remember the titles. Very good author.

[Greyskye]

21. same here

The funny thing is, I normally loathe short stories. I even avoided CdL's for a while, just on principle. One of the things that turned me around on his, is that you get many of his recurring Newford characters showing up as cameo's.

The two CdL novels that you mentioned are good, but not (IMHO) up to par with his later works. If I recall, those are set in Ottawa. He really found his literary voice when he switched his setting to the fictional city of Newford.

Give them a try - you might end up feeling about his novels the way I feel about his short story collections. :D