Customer Reviews

Mulengro: A Romany Tale

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this book a while back, read the first chapter, then promptly misplaced it. A few months later, I did a lot of research into the Romany culture. Then a couple of months ago, I found my copy again - joy! I re-read the first chapter, now understanding more as I knew quite a bit more about Romany. This is a more difficult read in some ways than other de Lint works, but worth the effort. You can tell he did a lot of research, although I found some of the aspects of Rom culture he used to be a bit stereotypical - people who don't know about Rom probably wouldn't notice. In the afterward he comments about the book having been written during a time when "culture borrowing" wasn't as politically incorrect as it is these days - and to those people who have a problem with a non-Rom writing a book incorporating the culture... hmmph! I see nothing wrong with it in small doses, so don't worry about it, Charles! Overall, an excellent read!

Mulengro like all of Charles De Lint's novels speaks to the enigmatic, mysterious and magical in an utterly believable way. But perhaps more than any other of his books, the magic in Mulengro is dark and disturbing. Horror fans would not be disappointed but it is far more sophisticated than even the finest horror story. There are even elements that would appeal to lovers of Crime and Thriller books. More accurately, however, Mulengro is a tale of two opposing cultures, peoples, moralities and ways of life that are forced by circumstances to face the unthinkable together. Mulengro is a journey of the soul into the dark, the light and the nether world between. I would be surprised if the reader remained untouched by the experience of reading Mulengro. I thoroughly recommend it.

Charles DeLint's 1985 novel, Mulengro, is worth reading for one of two reasons: it allows a DeLint fan to compare his older writings to his current works and it offers a (somewhat simplified) insight into the contemporary life of "gypsies" in North America. Unfortunately, the book also suffers from a villain-driven plot (an all-too-common device of DeLint's), too many characters to allow full or almost any character development, blatant manipulation of emotions (having a man ripped apart by rabid dogs in front of his wife and child reminded me of Corman at his worst)and, finally, there were far too many trite expressions. When a reader compares this work to DeLint's three brilliant short story selections or two of his latest works such as "Trader" or "Someplace to Be Flying" he or she can be confident that the author has certainly honed his craft since the last decade.

One of the very best 'stories' I have ever read. Haunting, remembered after only one reading. It is available again through an English press. Look for it, find it and BUY It. Worth every penny.

I was pleased & delighted to read a novel dealing with the Rom Spiritual point of view, without either making them out to be criminals or a people to be pitied.

One of Charles de Lints' best to date. It's hard to fine but worth it. I recently found copies imported from the UK after search for it for several years. It was worth the wait.

DeLint treats the Rom with the respect they deserve, weaving their tradition and mythology into a powerful story you won't soon forget. Mulengro means "He Who Walks With Ghosts" and this is a ripping ghost story. Like all of DeLint's books the women are strong but human and the men are usually worth knowing. And the bad guys, well... in this one they are really bad. Buy beg or steal a copy -- you won't be sorry.

I read this book when it first came out in paperback and I loved it. I raved about it to a friend, loaned him the book and have never seen it since. I highly reccomend this book to anybody and every body!!