Pagan Bookworm

I was browsing the local public library’s fiction stacks when I found this author’s name with a shelf full of his books. He sounded familiar I would later find out because he was one of the contributors for a book I own called The Book of Ballads – which is a book of old UK ballads that have been turned into graphic stories by some famous fantasy authors and illustrators (i.e. Charles Vess).

So I decided to take a chance and I took out three of Charles de Lint’s books from the library: The Wild Wood, Forests of the Heart, and Greenmantle. I am very glad that I borrowed these books, I think next time I will buy them. Charles de Lint is a Canadian fiction author, a Celtic folk musician, and a pagan who resides in Ottawa, Ontario. He is amazing because he takes old world folklore and folktales and combines them with the contemporary world as well as modern Neo-pagan beliefs. Charles de Lint has published 60 titles and is considered a master of contemporary & urban fantasy.

The Wild Wood

This is the tale of a artist who has lost her inspiration. After moving to a cabin in the wild woods of Canada she starts to see amazing creatures in the forests – and they’re seeking her out…

This is a slimmer novel, but a satisfying story nonetheless. It is about belief, trust, love, and of course hope. It is a very mysterious story steeped in folklore. After reading various titles by de Lint I would say that you will understand his stories much better if you have a good background in the folklore of the United Kingdom. This was more of a feminine novel – not as harsh, or um “adult” as his other works.

Forests of the Heart

Published in 2000 this novel is a complex intertwining series of stories that connect all of the characters together. Steeped in British and Irish folklore of the Otherworld, land spirits (genius loci), and the Greenman, this is a brilliant work of fantasy. I don’t know how, but Charles de Lint managed to combine the different worlds of Curanderia, Native spirituality, and UK folklore seemlessly and accurately along with the modern urban world of New York. This book is a must read, its complexity is surprisingly easy to follow. I love how de Lint showed how common beliefs can cross cultures and religions – and how he represented the human psyche – flawed, but redeeming.

Greenmantle

Greenmantle is one of Charles de Lint’s earlier works from 1988. It is an urban fantasy that somehow manages to plausibly combine the New York mafia and small town life in the Ottawa Valley with the Greenman/Cernunnos mythology brought by British immigrants to the new world. To me this novel has a very manly feel to it, as in it would appeal to men. All of the main characters are very likable and real. This book reads like a movie – scene by scene from different character’s viewpoints – plus rocket launchers, explosions, fights, . It is without question an adult book as it contains sexuality, violence, drugs and dirty thoughts… A wonderful fast-paced read – I couldn’t put it down.