The Very Best of Charles de Lint Paperback – July 15, 2010

Great characters. Lots of satisfying fantasy.

This book has probably 50% stories I had *not* read. So it is a very welcome addition to my Charles de Lint collection.I good find and buy. If you like CdL I recommend it.

Perhaps one of the most influential pieces of literature I have ever read.The Best of Charles De Lint is an almost life changing find for me. I have always read to escape the trials, adversities and vicissitudes of life. Consequently I searched for found books that were captivating but unless you perhaps joined a very enthusiastic book club that investigated and discussed the authors intentions in symbolism and imagery to the full extent most of the themes were just generic adventure and innocent "good vs evil" . I thought that this is what I would be doing with this collection of highly praised pieces by Charles De Lint. I was absolutely thrilled to find that this was absolutely true ... at first. This compilation of stories is an escape to childhood; to where dreams come true and magic is possible. However slowly as the stories, I instantly loved, ended and new ones began, there emerged certain undertones and connecting themes that took this collection of completely separate and unique stories and ideas melding them together as one. While I was escaping the world around me through this compilation it was increasingly more evident that I was also actually getting closer and becoming more intimate with the human condition and the facts of life. Through characters that became to be friends and inspirations, I learned to confront what I have been running from, denying, and even hoping was not a reality.Most of the stories are safe to read to children as fairy tales or bedtime stories, perhaps some are more suitable around a campfire. That being said however, the most important ones, for me at least, I would not recommend for younger readers. There are adult themes expressed in a select few of the stories however it is tastefully done though very direct. They were not in any way to be focused on the actions but more on the effect they have on the individual and community. I have flagged this as "some sexual content" because of the expert way that it was written, however it does not beat around the bush or use childish euphemisms. Charles De Lint has a talent for showing that same beauty in life that one seas in a forest after a fire: rebirth, new growth, and wonder that comes much from the beauty of life but also the juxtaposition with the ever present knowledge and memory of what has been.Through this work I matured emotionally, intellectually and socially. During reading and upon finishing this collection of brilliant works, I became inspired and empowered to see and act upon the truth . The truth that our lives can be full of darkness, pain, and regret but nevertheless we can overcome; we can be whole and we can see that magic truly does exist. There is a magic in human interaction and relationships, even magic where we would least expect it.

Charles de Lint writes Fantasy. Now when folks think "Fantasy" they think wizards, dragons, unicorns, knights, princesses and swordfights. But although Charles De Lint is one of the Masters of Modern Fantasy, there's very little of that here. Certainly, there's one short story with Merlin himself, and a few more with what could be considered wizards. There's a dragon (sort of), a different sort of vampire tale and a swordfight. But most are more "Urban Fantasy".However, that tag is not quite right either. Most "Urban Fantasy" is dark and gritty or has vampires. And, although a number of the stories here are rather sad & melancholy, the over all tone is more lighthearted and whimsical- romantic without a lot of what today is considered "romance", if you get what I mean.In other words, Charles de Lint writes stories like no one else, stories which are hard to categorize. Many of the stories here are set in "Newford" a town reminiscent (to me, anyway) of Seattle or Vancouver.Here's a complete list, courtesy of the publisher:In Which We Meet Jilly CoppercornCoyote StoriesLaughter in the LeavesThe Badger in the BagAnd the Rafters Were RingingMerlin Dreams in the Mondream WoodThe Stone DrumTimeskipFreewheelingA Wish Named ArnoldInto the GreenThe Graceless ChildWinter Was HardThe Conjure ManWe Are Dead TogetherMr. Truepenny's Book Emporium and GalleryIn the House of My EnemyThe Moon Is Drowning While I SleepCrow GirlsBirdsHeld Safe by Moonlight and VinesIn the PinesPixel PixiesMany Worlds Are Born TonightSistersPal o' MineThat Was Radio ClashOld Man CrowThe Fields Beyond the FieldsAll of these were previously published, but many in limited edition "chapbooks". So unless you're a super Charles de Lint completist (in which case you're going to buy this anyway), quite a few will be new to you, and others will be old friends.My personal favorite is Mr. Truepenny's Book Emporium and Gallery.Now one line that appears often in book reviews is a warning for new readers- "Don't buy this book first- start reading with ....". But I am going to say just the exact opposite- if you are new to Charles de Lint, this book is an ideal place to get to know this fine fantasy author.

I usually read de Lint in the fall - his writing goes perfectly with this time of year. I'm glad I had this to read this year.If you like urban fantasy, you should love this. It's mostly about Faerie, in the Irish tradition, with more hobs and tree spirits than vampires, although there's also a strong strain of Native American stories as well. It takes place in a nonexistent Canadian city, and the reader gets to know it as well as their own hometown, and maybe to feel that it's more home than their own town as well.These stories are perfect of their type.

These stories have a feel of a different time about them, as if you’re peaking into a parallel universe and seeing what might have been if we had kept n touch with magic. Yet it feels nostalgic as if we’re seeing the world dying and turning into a mundane world like this universe.The writing probably deserves 4* but I dropped the rating for two reasons:-1 - from nowhere several stories in the middle have stories of child abuse. I don’t want to be thrown into that type of story and I seriously considered putting the book down.2 - the formatting of this ebook is all over the place, it’s difficult to tell where one story ends on occasion.

A master teller of stories which sit in the real world but not quite. Since first coming across a de Lint book in my local library a quarter of a century ago, I've loved the way that he captures the world of faerie as it intertwines with and inhabits our own. This somehow makes it more magical than many fantasy tales at the same time as making it more real. His characters are beautifully and lovingly crafted. This collection of short stories is an absolute delight. Believe.

Charles Dr Lint is a serious addiction for me. His words,always relevant, remind me to hope and dream. Too often this world can seem like endless darkness,but Dr Lint shines light into the night,reawakening mystery and myth. Wonder. He is a voice of a kindred spirit. I have been listening to his song since 1990. It never grows old. Just rejuvenate and reminds me to dance to the rhythm of the silence.

Charles dear Lint at his most magical and best. Yes you can find these stories in other collections but it reminded me of the magic you find in every story. Mr De Lint I now to your genius yet again. Everyone should read at least one story of yours and find the magic within. Just enough so you can step through the door of Mr Truepenny's

Charles de Lint has long been a favourite of mine and I own most of his books in paper format, so I was delighted that they are now becoming available in Kindle format so I can have them to hand wherever I travel and can lend my paperbacks to friends to get them hooked on his work!