I've always loved Charles de Lint since I read a story by him, about a man and the tree from his childhood. I don't remember all the details, as you can clearly tell (its been maybe... 10-13 years since I read it), but I remember the feeling that I had when I read the story and it was a warm feeling, but also that this story was somehow directly connected to me and my life (I had a tree much like that in my backyard).Anyways, years later I pick up this collection on a whim and drops it off at the Shelf of Lost Stories. I want to read it, but I also want to read about... 546 other books. However, maybe a year later, I start to read the first story, but it becomes clear to me that I am definitely not ready for the book yet, and so I put it back on its place on the Shelf.But four days ago, I finally spot the book again and have this incredible feeling that I am ready to delve into its secret and lo and behold... I was, and... am.Since this is a collection of shortstories, this will be another review-in-progress where I will write a short review of each story as I read them. As has become the norm of late... I will start at the very beginning.Ten for the Devil (45 pages)Staley is a young woman who lives in the rez, in a trailer, and who loves to play her very special blue fiddle. One day she is dropped off not far from her home and when she plays her fiddle on a whim, she accidently summons something from the otherworld. She brings a rabbit, a skinchanger, with her to her friends, all in the hopes that they can tell her what is going on. Great story with a lot of mysterious insight into the world that we live in. The ending left a little to be desired, as it ended rather quickly, however, this story still comes highly recommended. (4 stars)Wingless Angels (17 pages)A man finds a camera one day, with strange pictures dated a week later. Not only that, it also appears that the strange creatures on the picture is killing a man. Is the guy losing his mind, or is this another weird occurence in the town of Newford? This wont ever be my favorite Newford story as it lacks the beauty of other Newford stories, but... I might have to go back to it one day. (2 stars)
I love Charles de Lint's books, even though I haven't been keeping up with them for the past several years. "Yarrow" was one of the first fanasy books I read, and he quickly became a favorite author. It's his dependable mix of myth into real life that's a constant draw. That said, this is a typical Newford collection. Not that it's a bad thing, but the cut of story is usually pretty similar--slices of life where reality and magic meet; people coming to terms with who they are and what's (previously) unseen around them.So for me there were not very many surpirses here, but a lot of good bedtime reading all the same. There are a few stories that stretch the comfortable norm of a de Lint story, like "The Witching Hour" and "Freak." Although it's not entirely out of character if you've read his horror books under Samuel M. Key.The best story, for me, was the endpiece novella, "Seven Wild Sisters." It's typical fare, but delivered at a refreshing fast pace. Centered around the age-old war between the 'sangmen (ginseng) and bee people, I couldn't help but be reminded of Alice in Wonderland (ie Bee Queen as the Queen of Hearts), and it was cool seeing de Lint subtly pull in aspects from a classic piece that sits outside of the classic fare he usually draws from.
What do You think about Tapping The Dream Tree (2003)?
This is a hefty collection of de Lint's Newford short stories, several of them published previously available only in limited edition chapbooks or collections, and one of them, "The Witching Hour," is original to this collection. There's a good mix here of the optimistic and the grim, familiar Newford characters and new faces. Jilly, Geordie, and Christy each have the lead in stories of their own, while others feature new characters or characters who have been minor figures in other Newford tales. There's some variety in the settings, as well, with Christy's story taking place during a book tour, and others set more in the hills around Newford than in the city itself."Freak" and "The Witching Hour" are undeniably grim in tone, while "Big City Littles" is completely charming, and "Seven Wild Sisters," my favorite of the collection, is a satisfying, adventurous modern fairy tale. Other stories in the collection strik e a wide range of moods and tones, and the overall quality is high. This is enjoable reading for a Newford fan, and probably a good introduction for someone not familiar with de Lint's work.
—Lis Carey
what i love about Charles de Lint's books are (1) how the world is recognizably ours but with magic just sort of off to the side where you're not looking; (2) how people are generally good -- not perfect, sometimes total screwups, but always having a decent core; (3) how it inspires you to appreciate your own life, whatever it is, without being all preachy about it. I'm pretty sure this could be a decent intro to the Newford series -- it definitely helps to have met some of the characters before, but wouldn't be necessary i don't think.
—Maura
Whenever I read de Lint, I always feel like I'm sipping a coffee in an artist's cafe and eavesdropping on someone at the neighboring table telling fantastic stories. In Newford, there is always music in the air, always art around, always a friend handing you a hot cup of coffee or tea with a smile. , and always something strange flickering in and out from the corners of your vision. This collection of short stories is set in the imaginary city of Newford, telling us more about old characters and introducing us to new ones - fully fleshed people I expect to run into around my town. It blends fairy mystery from a variety of cultures with a fully modern world. This is the first de Lint book I ever read - I selected it off the library shelf for its cover, years ago. Since then, I have been addicted to finding and reading all his work.
—Johanna Haas
