Customer Reviews

The Very Best of Charles de Lint

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Charles de Lint writes Fantasy. Now when folks think "Fantasy" they think wizards, dragons, unicorns, knights, princesses and swordfights. But although Charles De Lint is one of the Masters of Modern Fantasy, there's very little of that here. Certainly, there's one short story with Merlin himself, and a few more with what could be considered wizards. There's a dragon (sort of), a different sort of vampire tale and a swordfight. But most are more "Urban Fantasy".

However, that tag is not quite right either. Most "Urban Fantasy" is dark and gritty or has vampires. And, although a number of the stories here are rather sad & melancholy, the over all tone is more lighthearted and whimsical- romantic without a lot of what today is considered "romance", if you get what I mean.

In other words, Charles de Lint writes stories like no one else, stories which are hard to categorize. Many of the stories here are set in "Newford" a town reminiscent (to me, anyway) of Seattle or Vancouver.

Here's a complete list, courtesy of the publisher:
In Which We Meet Jilly Coppercorn
Coyote Stories
Laughter in the Leaves
The Badger in the Bag
And the Rafters Were Ringing
Merlin Dreams in the Mondream Wood
The Stone Drum
Timeskip
Freewheeling
A Wish Named Arnold
Into the Green
The Graceless Child
Winter Was Hard
The Conjure Man
We Are Dead Together
Mr. Truepenny's Book Emporium and Gallery
In the House of My Enemy
The Moon Is Drowning While I Sleep
Crow Girls
Birds
Held Safe by Moonlight and Vines
In the Pines
Pixel Pixies
Many Worlds Are Born Tonight
Sisters
Pal o' Mine
That Was Radio Clash
Old Man Crow
The Fields Beyond the Fields

All of these were previously published, but many in limited edition "chapbooks". So unless you're a super Charles de Lint completist (in which case you're going to buy this anyway), quite a few will be new to you, and others will be old friends.

My personal favorite is Mr. Truepenny's Book Emporium and Gallery.

Now one line that appears often in book reviews is a warning for new readers- "Don't buy this book first- start reading with ....". But I am going to say just the exact opposite- if you are new to Charles de Lint, this book is an ideal place to get to know this fine fantasy author.

And here I thought I had read everything by Charles DeLint. Fabulous stories that were new to me and what a great idea and way to show that you appreciate your readers by allowing them to determine what will be in the book. Must have for C. DeLint fans!

I like De Lint's writing a lot, but even his greatest fan would have to admit that his work is uneven. His best is very good indeed, but it's not all of that quality, and some of the very early stuff is pretty mediocre. That said, this is an excellent collection of many of his best stories, without a clunker among them. Few writers do the urban-fantasy leprechauns-in-Toronto genre as well, and there's a kindness and humanity in much of his work I find very appealing. "Crow Girls" is particularly good. This book would be a fine introduction to his stories, and the cover art by Charles Vess is delightful.

A reliable source of wood & fire for our souls. Always anticipated, however each piece over steps our expectations. Each creation picks up a hue in the heart and soul, drawing out more than rainbows. when I pass from this world, I'd love to full out eternity in de Lint's creations.

I love these short story books Charles writes. When I don't have tie to get involved in a whole book, I can have a little bite of wonder at a moments notice, and all these stories are stellar! Thank you for doing this for your fans!.

I love Charles de Lint. I own almost everything he's ever written and has been published.
Which brings me to the only (and for me major) downfall of this particular book... I've read it all before. If you own his works already, you've read everything in the book. If you are new to his work then I highly recommend this as short stories are often easier to get into. These short stories span quite a bit of his authoring life, and are some of the best ones to read.