I must confess that I read this book to kill three birds with one stone. I needed a ‘Y’ title, a Canadian book, and a fantasy book so I could fit it into three challenges. I had always wanted to read de Lint anyway, so it seemed like a good fit. But, it really wasn’t. This was my first foray into urban fantasy and while I’m not giving up on it yet, I don’t know if I really like the genre.
Cat Midhir is an isolated Canadian fantasy writer who finds inspiration through her dreams. Suddenly, though, she has a severe writer’s block and cannot find the reason for it. She confides in Peter, a bookshop owner, and the two become friends. Peter helps her to open up and even thinks he can fix her up with his friend Ben. Meanwhile, Cat soon realizes she is being stalked and is afraid to go to her own home at night. Afraid of being alone, she begins spending more and more time with Peter.
This story actually reminded me a bit of Lisey’s Story by Stephen King. I was uncomfortable with aspects of that story, and was even more so with this one. Yarrow was much too gritty for my taste, but I’m usually in the minority on that score. On the positive side, de Lint knows how to build characters. I really, really liked the ‘good guys’ in this and really hated the bad ones. I probably will try at least one more of de Lint’s books before I make a final judgment. Any suggestions?
1986, 255 pp.
Have you tried “Little (Grrl) Lost” yet? It is pretty good. It isn’t very gritty (in my opinion). The main characters are teenagers and though there is a bit of conflict, it isn’t over the top. It is the only De Lint book I’ve read so far but it has hooked me and made me want to read more of his work.
That’s the one I was thinking of reading next. Glad to know you liked it!
hmm… atleast I won’t read this book and would the other one mentioned by Muttix, if I have to
I really hope you do try CDL again. Little Grrl Lost is excellent as well as The Blue Girl which are both YA fantasy fiction. Waifs and Strays is an excellent collection of his short stories spanning his career that I adored and was an excellent introduction.
Rhinoa, I will — The Blue Girl, The Onion Girl, and Little Grrl Lost are the ones I’m thinking about. Thanks for the rec!
And, if you want an adult novel by him, try The Onion Girl. Really good book! I read a few books by him a couple years ago, but my reintroduction was The Blue Girl and then The Onion Girl.
Kailana, thanks for the rec!
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