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duffypratt's review
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Another collection of stories taking place in Newford, de Lint's fictional city somewhere in Canada. These stories range from being very good to meh... They are decidedly unified in their outlook and their optimism. Unlike his earlier stories, in these the magic always works to a somewhat positive effect. And it becomes so insistent that it begins to feel like he's preaching: "It doesn't matter whether its real or not, what matters is your attitude towards it and whether that attitude leads you to opening up your life or closing yourself off to possibilities."
It's a nice message, and I probably would have liked it more had I encountered one of these stories in its original publication. As a collection, however, it started to become a bit heavy handed.
On the plus side, the writing is graceful as ever. I continue to enjoy the appearances of his continuing characters. I'm not entirely sure about his insistence on writing from the perspective of female characters, but it seems to me that he does it quite well And there were a few stories here I found touching.
Not my favorite de Lint so far, but worth reading, especially since I've basically decided I will read at least all of the Newford books, if not everything he wrote.
It's a nice message, and I probably would have liked it more had I encountered one of these stories in its original publication. As a collection, however, it started to become a bit heavy handed.
On the plus side, the writing is graceful as ever. I continue to enjoy the appearances of his continuing characters. I'm not entirely sure about his insistence on writing from the perspective of female characters, but it seems to me that he does it quite well And there were a few stories here I found touching.
Not my favorite de Lint so far, but worth reading, especially since I've basically decided I will read at least all of the Newford books, if not everything he wrote.
cj_jones's review
4.0
I'm a fan of De Lint, and of short stories in general, and so a book of De Lint short stories is likely to be a winner with me, especially when one of the lines I stumble upon in the first forty pages is "We know that all endeavor is art, when rendered with conviction." That's a line that hit me, and stuck.
There are some mawkish-feeling moments, but I can both chalk them up to "I only have twenty pages to tell you this story" and also say that they were greatly outnumbered by moments that touched me emotionally. He's one of those writers with a lot of non-white non-male characters in prominent roles, and I appreciate that, even when I notice it.
There are some mawkish-feeling moments, but I can both chalk them up to "I only have twenty pages to tell you this story" and also say that they were greatly outnumbered by moments that touched me emotionally. He's one of those writers with a lot of non-white non-male characters in prominent roles, and I appreciate that, even when I notice it.
mrswhiteinthelibrary's review
4.0
While not bearing some of de Lint's best short stories, this collection is still brimming with the colorful characters and vibrant city that has made him master of Urban fantasy, and this book is sure to please any de Lint fan.
intoxicatedcake's review
4.0
Love his writing. The mix of urban fantasy with tough social issues is unlike anything else I have read.
angelrco's review
5.0
This was the first book that made me fall in love with Charles de Lint style of writing. I can never thank this writer enough for showing me this type of writing.
lizwiz's review
2.0
I love the world of Charles de Lint, but he is not at his best in a short story collection. There are too many of the same elements in all his writing. He has a distinctive style and always writes about the same kinds of people experiencing magic in the real world. Great stuff, but repetitive in stories piled one on top of the other.
margaretpinard's review
2.0
Stopped on page 212 of 461. Stories were just too much alike and too unreal, soap-opera-y. Some had kernels of truth to ponder, but the format was too slow, mechanical, or 80's-ish for me to keep going.
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