Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Canadian Author Spotlight: Charles de Lint

Author: Charles de Lint
Website: Click here
Known For: Charles de Lint is considered to be the father of urban fantasy
Books: For a complete list of novels by Charles de Lint click here
Age Group: Charles de Lint has books written for both adults and young adults
The Guru's Favorite de Lint books: The Blue Girl, Waifs & Strays & Little (Grrl) Lost (see below for more information on these novels)
For more information on Charles de Lint click here

Title: The Blue Girl
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Published: 2004
Format: Paperback ($10.00 CDN or less)
Age Group: Young Adult
Click here to browse inside this book

From the Publisher: 

Imogene is a tough, independent-minded teenager who's just arrived in the city of Newford. Although immediately shunned by the popular crowd, she's managed to make two friends: Maxine, a somewhat straitlaced smart girl who's similarly outcast; and Adrian, the ghost of a nerdy boy who died in a mishap caused by the cheerfully amoral, prankish fairies who live in the high school. Adrian, who's desperate for Imogene to like him, tries in vain to convince her that fairies are real; but while Imogene's prepared to believe in ghosts, her credulity is already stretched to its limits. Adrian asks the fairies to help him open Imogene's eyes, but unfortunately, Imogene's new enlightenment comes with a potentially devastating price. While targeted toward a younger audience, fans of de Lint's adult works will enjoy this addition to Newford lore, and will be pleased by the cameo appearances of characters from several previous novels.

Title: Waifs and Strays
Publisher: Penguin USA
Published: 2002
Format: Hardcover ($ 25.99 CDN) & Paperback ($11.50 CDN)
Age Group: Young Adult
Click here to browse inside this book

From the Publisher: 

Charles de Lint is a thirteen-time finalist for the World Fantasy Award, and eight of his books were chosen for the reader-selected Modern Library Top 100 Books of the Twentieth Century. His best-selling and award-winning work has always featured teenage characters. Here, at long last, is a collection of his stories about teenagers-a book for teen and adult alike. From the streets of his famed Newford to the alleys of Bordertown to the realms of Faerie, this is speculative fiction that will tranfix and delight, that will make readers think and feel and keep reading. Waifs and Strays is a must-own for de Lint fans, and an ideal introduction to his work for newcomers. Charles de Lint is a thirteen-time finalist for the World Fantasy Award, and eight of his books were chosen for the reader-selected Modern Library Top 100 Books of the Twentieth Century. His best-selling and award-winning work has always featured teenage characters. Here, at long last, is a collection of his stories about teenagers-a book for teen and adult alike. From the streets of his famed Newford to the alleys of Bordertown to the realms of Faerie, this is speculative fiction that will tranfix and delight, that will make readers think and feel and keep reading. Waifs and Strays is a must-own for de Lint fans, and an ideal introduction to his work for newcomers. Charles de Lint is a thirteen-time finalist for the World Fantasy Award, and eight of his books were chosen for the reader-selected Modern Library Top 100 Books of the Twentieth Century. His best-selling and award-winning work has always featured teenage characters. Here, at long last, is a collection of his stories about teenagers-a book for teen and adult alike. From the streets of his famed Newford to the alleys of Bordertown to the realms of Faerie, this is speculative fiction that will tranfix and delight, that will make readers think and feel and keep reading. Waifs and Strays is a must-own for de Lint fans, and an ideal introduction to his work for newcomers.

Title: Little (Grrl) Lost
Publisher: Penguin Young Reader Group
Published: 2007
Format: Paperback ($10.00 CDN) Hardcover ($22.50 CDN)
Age Group: Young adult
Click here to browse inside this book

From the Publisher:

When T.J. and her family are forced to move from their farm to the Newford suburbs, she makes an unexpected new friend—Elizabeth, a punked-out teen runaway with a big attitude—who also happens to be a "Little," standing just six inches tall. Her family lives inside the walls of T.J.'s house. T.J. and Elizabeth soon forge a prickly friendship that's put to the test when each girl finds herself in dangerous territory, without any way to help the other. Both have to learn the hard way whom to trust, and how to rely on their instincts and find kindred spirits. Little (Grrl) Lost is Charles de Lint at his captivating best.

The Book Guru's Opinion:

Charles de Lint is hands down my favorite Canadian author.  While many authors write excellent novels within the urban fantasy genre not all are believable the way de Lint is.  Charles de Lint brings to life young adult protagonists in an seemingly effortless way while they explore and develop their individuality in the most extraordinary of circumstances.  His writing flows so smoothly and from beginning to end he engages the reader in a beautiful and unique story that brings the most fantastical elements of our imagination to life.  If you have not had the pleasure of reading a Charles de Lint novel please consider one of the above novels or browse through a complete list of his work here.  Don't forget you can click the link to browse inside all three of the books above.  If you have any comments about this author or if you have read one of his novels please share by commenting below!

1 comments:

Heather said...

I have to agree with you that Charles de Lint in an awesome author. I have read a bunch of his earlier works, though nothing recently. I don't know why as I have bought some of these books. hmm, will have to pull them out and give them a go.

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