Review – The Very Best of Charles de Lint by Charles de Lint (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 425 pages
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Release Date: July 15, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1892391964
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Gift
Rating: 5/5 stars
“The finest stories of this popular pioneer of urban fantasy and creator of the mythical city of Newford have been chosen by the author—and his fans—and gathered in this extraordinary collection. Asked to suggest their own favorite stories for inclusion, de Lint’s fans have been instrumental in creating a treasury that will spark the imaginations of readers of all ages. These are retold fairy tales and new modern myths that thoroughly redefine the boundaries of magic.
Between these pages are all manner of enchanted characters in unusual places: playful Crow Girls who sneak into the homes of their sleeping neighbors, a graffiti artist who risks his life to expose a deadly conspiracy, and an unrepentant trickster who throws one last party to reveal a lost folkloric tradition.
At turns unexpected, whimsical, dark, and mystical, this is an essential compendium of timeless tales to be revisited as often as the heart desires.”
This was an excellent collection of stories by Charles de Lint. De Lint was one of my favorite authors many years ago and I am not sure why I stopped reading him. This collection of stories really brings home all the things I loved about de Lint; he is just such a creative storyteller and excellent writer.
The first few stories were about Meran and her husband Ceran and the bodachs that make mischief in their lives. These were fun and entertaining to read. These stories were followed by a number of stories featuring Jilly Coppercorn and Geordie; I always love these stories a lot as well.
A couple of my favorites were: “Merlin Dreams in the Mondream Wood” (about a woman who visits Merlin while he is trapped in a tree) and “The Graceless Child” about a young half-trow girl who saves the world of Dream.
Overall this was an amazing collection of stories by de Lint. He was one of my favorite authors when I was in my 20’s and reading this makes me wonder why I haven’t read him in a long time. De Lint is an amazing storyteller and the author that introduced me to urban fantasy. I highly recommend this collection of stories they are just so well done.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge
