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Summary: Ah Mr.De Lint to even get a glimpse into this world......
Review: I think if I could live anywhere real or imagined it would have to be in a Charles Delint book. In fact now that I'm living in Canada and in his neck of the world I might see if I can look it up.
I first heard of Charles De Lint when I puchased and read "the little Country" It was a bit confusing at first but after rereading it a second time it all clicked in with me. Now I can claim that I've read and/or reread most of his books. This one being the lastest I've had my hands on.All of his characters are clear and very well defined. As I read his books sometimes I think I can see or feel Jilly in the background or the Crow Girls laughing outside in the trees, or the Aunts shopping at the local farmers market. His melding of Native American Beliefs and Celtic Paganism/Druidism is remarkable!! There are such simularaties between the two. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of The Onion Girl:) Cant wait to "devour" it!!
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Summary: One of his best.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed "Forests of the Heart". Bettina is a fabulous character - I hope to meet her again in another book. I found the blend of Native and Celtic folklore/magics fascinating and I plan to do more reading about Native mythology. The story was fast-paced, and I don't think the character development suffered in the slightest. I have to say, the interludes in the music store inspired me to buy a copy of "High Fidelity"! I highly recommend this book, but agree with the previous reviewer - read the 3 short story collections before picking this up. His previous book, "Someplace to be Flying" is also a must-read.
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Summary: More action, less introspection
Review: I totally enjoyed this book. However, it read more like an action adventure fantasy, than a typical DeLint novel. I found that I was more interested in the actions taken than the thoughts/motives driving the characters in this novel. If you are looking for a typical DeLint, you will find some of it here, but you will find more action and force than you normally see. I have noticed that seems to be a trend, though. There was quite a "big action" feel to the end of "Somewhere to be Flying", too. I do recommed you pick this up if you are a big DeLint fan. IF YOU'VE NEVER READ DE LINT, then go back & buy the three short story collections, first, to get yourself familiar with his people and his environment. You will enjoy this book much more if you do; it will give you a sense of history to the story and the characters.
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Summary: Forests of the Heart
Review: I'll admit it, I am in the minority when it comes to CdL; I'm a guy! What strikes me is the fact that Mr. de Lint outdoes himself with each new tome. Forests of the Heart is no exception. I have read everything of His I could beg, borrow or steal (as well as purchase!) since 1985 and I would consider this new novel at the top of the list. The continued blending of magic with reality along with the unlikeliest of protagonists allows me to set aside my boring life and imagine for a few moments that I live in Newford and am a poet who shares a cuppa with Jilly. You would be making a grave mistake if you pass up this book.
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Summary: Just didn't make it.
Review: I'm not a De Lint fan, but many of my friends are, so I thought I'd give it a try. While the book is well written and well thought out, it ultimately failed to transport me, except perhaps in the case of the Bettina flashbacks. In its defence, it is an intelligent, well thought out book, but while it moved me on an intellectual level it failed to do so on an emotional level. It's almost as though the author was writing to a formula. For instance, the character Musgrave Wood is easily the most intriguing in the book, yet instead of recognizing that and running with it, De Lint makes her a trite and shallow character who is removed from the story line in an anticlimatic fashion. And what about the main character, Hunter? He isn't intrinsic to the story in the least. Take him out and divide his role up among the remaining players, and you've got the same damn story. Ultimately, I could care less for or about most of the characters. I suppose I should try one of De Lint's other books that people here are recommending, but this book really doesn't make me want to read anything else by him. Sort of feels like a waste of time.
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Summary: Charles De Lint does it again!
Review: I'm not good at synopsis, so I won't go there - you can read the editorial reviews for that. Because I'm on a budget, I've been waiting breathlessly for this to come out in paperback, and it was well worth the wait! I've been a De Lint fan for years and he has yet to let me down. I love his earlier Newford stories, and the way he combined the Celtic/European folklore like in many of the short stories, and the Native American folklore like in "Somewhere to be Flying" is breathtaking! And there IS a very obscure, fleeting reference to the Crow Girls (my favorite De Lint characters of all) but if you're not looking for it (like I look for them in all his Newford stories) you'll miss it. The new characters he introduces in this book are so well developed that they feel like old friends right away. And the cameos from the regulars (Jilly, Sophie, Geordie, Angel, et. al.) made me feel like I was visiting a familiar, much loved place. I will agree with several other reviewers that if you've not read any of the Newford stories, you really should begin with the short story collections (Dreams Underfoot <esp this one>, The Ivory and the Horn, and Moonlight and Vines) for the reasons in the prior paragraph. Yes, it is very familiar territory, but when you love a place, don't you love to keep going back? All in all, a great read, and I can't wait for The Onion Girl (Jilly's story) to come out!
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Summary: Addicting... Enters your Dreams Like a Fever
Review: I've read some of De Lint's other books. Jack of Kinrowan and Into the Green. I enjoyed those two books but never really pursued his other works. Well I saw Forests of the Heart lying on a table in the book store - read the back cover, was intrigued by the hispanic protagonist (I'm Latina) and when I got home I started to read it. I finished it at three in the morning. And then I dreamt of the characters; and I didn't mind their visits. It's an amazing book- left me speechless. My only choice was to mail it directly to a friend who was also struck by the sheer brilliance of the writing. It's poetry really. Each word weighed out carefully like gold. The plot you can read in the main review to the book, but the power of the words are what draws you down into his world. A lovely book. Left me feverishly remembering the few other books that affected me that way: Tam Lin by Pamela Dean; Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein; Sometimes After Sunset by Tanith Lee; American Gods by Neil Gaiman... Dream Well, you'll be with good company.
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Summary: Mythical resonance, wisdom, magic, and act/adv all in one!
Review: I've read three of Charles De Lint's works now and yes, they do all have some kind of myth at their core, usually combined some way with Art and Artists. This book, however, is his most mature effort. I don't mean to imply that it's a serious Oprah book or boring, just that instead of preaching like he did "memory and dream" he skillfully layers in meaning through the characters and the plot. Since everyone else has already talked about the plot, I'll move on to my experience of the work. De Lint's narrative is sometimes slow, especially when contrasted against his marvelous action and suspense, but in this book especially you just go along with it, and the odd pace (sometimes slow and dreamy, sometimes faster and jumpier than a nightmare) just adds to the overall mythical and magical quality of the story. It makes sense and makes other stories with more even pacing seem boring and conventional. the characters are very well fleshed out, no one is all good or all bad, everyone has their fatal flaw or hidden face. One very fun main character owns a record store and talks like the guys in "high fidelity." My favorite tho was Bettina, and the Aunts, who bring in mexican and native-american mythology and magic into the story. De Lint has obviously done his research on that score. Imagine an adult, intelligent Harry Potter that's definitely rated R for violence and magic that's more rooted in Nature than magic words. Since I can't get across how this story sends echoes through your psyche as you read it, you'll just have to experience it for yourself. :)
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Wonderful!
Review: If you're a fan of Charles de Lint, you're in for a treat with this one. If you're not a fan - read this book, and you will be. Set in de Lint's imaginary North American city of Newford, this novel has all the good stuff and none of the drawbacks of its urban-magic heritage. Here are new characters (with your old friends in the background, mentioned but not present) that fairly sparkle with life in all their believable complexity. And once again de Lint is breaking new ground in a genre sometimes rife with boring repetition. This is a great author at his finest. The man can WRITE! Art, magic, music, true love and mystery abound.The pacing is edgy and tight and the denoument unhurried and satisfying, and life-altering experiences all around. There are already a million reviews of this book, so I won't summarize the plot for you, but I have to say: THIS BOOK ROCKS. It's a triumph for de Lint and a joy for the reader. BUY IT!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Wonderful!
Review: If you're a fan of Charles de Lint, you're in for a treat with this one. If you're not a fan - read this book, and you will be. Set in de Lint's imaginary North American city of Newford, this novel has all the good stuff and none of the drawbacks of its urban-magic heritage. Here are new characters (with your old friends in the background, mentioned but not present) that fairly sparkle with life in all their believable complexity. And once again de Lint is breaking new ground in a genre sometimes rife with boring repetition. This is a great author at his finest. The man can WRITE! Art, magic, music, true love and mystery abound.The pacing is edgy and tight and the denoument unhurried and satisfying, and life-altering experiences all around. There are already a million reviews of this book, so I won't summarize the plot for you, but I have to say: THIS BOOK ROCKS. It's a triumph for de Lint and a joy for the reader. BUY IT!!
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