More short stories to read as interludes while I am still working on Anna Karenina. I have mixed feelings about de Lint. I enjoy his numerous books and stories, but there is something about them that makes me feel like they are too simple, or maybe it is the repetition of themes. Maybe it is the part of me that forgot that I like fairy stories and feels a little goofy about it. Maybe I feel trapped in Newford, but it's not a bad place to be... (May 06, 2004) ( )

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. ( )

I'm not a great reader of short stories, but I really like Charles de Lint and especially his Newford books. This collection of 17 stories and 1 novella is simply wonderful. Lots of magic, lots of music, some funny, some quite dark in tone, but they are beautifully written. Old friends like Jilly and Christy pop in and we find out a bit more about them.
My favourites in the set are "Ten For The Devil", (fancy meeting Robert Johnson here) and "Pixel Pixies". I just love the idea of a hob in a bookshop, I could do with one for my study!
Off to the USA in August and hoping to pick up some more de Lint books while I'm there! ( )

I love Charles de Lint's short stories. ( )

Another trip into the world of Newford, in the form of stories all taking place before The Onion Girl. Old friends are revisited, new ones are discovered. Some of the stories are light, some are more in the vein of de Lint's alter ego, Samuel Key. One of the best stories in the collection is Sign here, a tale rendered solely through dialog. ( )