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Summary: A Magical Freight Train of Adventure and Wonder
Review: Like many of de Lint's books, the beginning of "Someplace to be Flying" goes slowly, as there is a lot of groundwork to be laid and a large cast of characters to introduce to the reader. As in many of his stories, the setting is the fictional town of Newford (I imagine it as an eastern Canadian version of Seattle), and some characters from his other stories (The Newford Stories, Moonlight and Vines, Dreams Underfoot, The Ivory and The Horn, Forests of the Heart) are present, although they take relatively minor roles. However, after the necessarily slow start, the momentum builds until you not only can't put it down, but you want to call in sick so you can stay home to finish it.This story differs from the other de Lint books I've read in its scale. "Moonlight and Vines", "Dreams Underfoot", and "The Ivory and the Horn" deal mainly with small, albeit sometimes potent, magical experiences that happen to one or a few individuals. Most of the rest of the world is oblivious to what is happening. In "Forests of the Heart", the scope is broader, more people are involved, the implications and consequences of the magic are potentially global, but do not end up being so; the consequences are significant but contained. In "Someplace to be Flying", what happenes in the story affects all of Newford (although not everyone is aware of it) and looks like it's going to affect the entire human race. This is a story that approaches the epic scale of Stephen King's "The Stand". Part of the strangeness of de Lint's stories is created by the fact that the magic is not based upon European mythology, but on the less generally familiar mythology of Native American cultures. This lends the story an unpredicatability that is missing in many fantasy and science fiction stories. I look forward to my next visit to the world of de Lint ("Svaha") and to many a return visit to Newford.
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Summary: Trivia about this book
Review: Lt. Brian Smith of Austin, TX, was killed by a sniper west of Baghdad in early July 2004. When he was cremated, this book was burned with him, as well as a bottle of Dave's Insanity Hot Sauce.
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Summary: Someplace to be Reading
Review: Not as personally powerful to me as Memory & Dream, but DeLint again here does wonderfuls things with urban fantasy. He draws heavily on Native American beliefs, which is something I'd like to see more of in modern fantasy. His characters are great and well drawn, and Newford becomes more a place I want to visit every time I read about it.
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Summary: Someplace to be Reading
Review: Not as personally powerful to me as Memory & Dream, but DeLint again here does wonderfuls things with urban fantasy. He draws heavily on Native American beliefs, which is something I'd like to see more of in modern fantasy. His characters are great and well drawn, and Newford becomes more a place I want to visit every time I read about it.
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Summary: Original, Gripping & Beautiful!
Review: Not having read Charles De Lint before, this book took me by surprise. I've read other books of his since, and this remains my favorite. It's original, gripping and beautiful: a trio of adjectives very few books merit. It also left me feeling better after reading it. The Crow Girls are reason enough to turn that first page.
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Summary: Someplace I want to fly!
Review: One of life's greatest pleasures (aside from Belgian chocolates, and these two are best indulged in together!) is tracking down, then opening a Charles de Lint book for the first time. Just reading the acknowledgements sets the scene for the feast of reading waiting and the eclectic quotes and lyrics preceding the story make me wish I had a better knowledge and appreciation of those sources. When Hank's attempt to rescue Lily from a vicious attacker turns to disaster, the intervention of a pair of almost identical "punky" girls sees the attacker killed, Hank and Lily's injuries miraculously healed, and both of them curiously calm and undisturbed by the experience. But they both realise their home town has whole other layers that each had hardly glimpsed before. Were Jack Daw's stories more than that? Separately and together, they peel back those layers to the very beginning, realising along the way that not everyone is as they seem and 'family' is not necessarily something you're born into. Charles de Lint makes you believe in a world your rational mind never considered, but for which your soul secretly yearns. His characters are so well defined that, no matter how unique their origins, you feel you would recognise them in a room of strangers. But with the Crow Girls, de Lint's genius for characterisation goes beyond excellence. Try reading their dialogue aloud! Don't plan on getting much sleep until you turn the last page. Even then, the story might have been told, but the experience will go on.
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Summary: Rich and literate fantasy
Review: Sympathetic characters in a fantastical situation come to terms with their pasts and take action to make their future better. The setting in a fictional Canadian city is rich and detailed, the myths and fantasy elements are beautiful and interesting. One of his best books.
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Summary: Good idea, bad book
Review: The mix of early mythology and indian folklore is and excellent premise. Too bad the book just gets worse and worse from the beginning. Granted, this is the only Charles de Lint novel I have read, but after this one, I don't want to read anymore. If you like this style of adventure and fantasy mixed, try Tim Powers' novels. Happy reading!
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Summary: The magic of the Native American legends, the shapechangers,
Review: This book is undoubtedly one of Charles de Lint's best novels. It captures the magic and mythos of the Native American legends of the shapechangers and the animal people. He brings to life the ancient legends of Raven, Coyote, Fox, and Crow, through the characters of the mystical corbae; Raven, the engimatic keeper; Coyote, the Trickster who always tries to do good, but always fails; Fox, the canid who has to decides whether he wants to be Trickster's pawn; and the fun, but dangerous Crow Girls. And in the middle of the corbae, are the people that Coyote brought into this world, and whom the ancient enemies of the corbae will destroy to get what they want. The entire story is set in a city much like yours or mine, and could be unfolding at this very moment.
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Summary: More magic...
Review: This is my favorite book of Charles' as well as my favorite book-ever. I believe that there's a lot more truth to myth than one may think. I've read Someplace to be Flying twice and will read it many more times. Forget gurus and supposed enlightened teachers with "the" answer. Listen to the wisdom of the Animal People.
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