The Little Country

by Charles de Lint

When musician Janey Little discovers an ancient unpublished manuscript of The Little Country, she taps into a magic power that will transport her across miles and back into time to confront her destiny. Reprint.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Music, Magical Realism, Folklore

584 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Charles de Lint is the much beloved author of more than seventy adult, young adult, and children's books. Renowned as one of the trailblazers of the modern fantasy genre, he is the recipient of the World Fantasy, Aurora, Sunburst, and White Pine awards, among others. Modern Library's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century poll, conducted by Random House and voted on by readers, put eight of de Lint's books among the top 100.
De Lint is a poet, folklorist, artist, songwriter and performer. He has written critical essays, music reviews, opinion columns and entries to encyclopedias, and he's been the main book reviewer for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1987. De Lint served as Writer-in-residence for two public libraries in Ottawa and has taught creative writing workshops for adults and children in Canada and the United States. He's been a judge for several prominent awards, including the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon and Bram Stoker.

Born in the Netherlands in 1951, de Lint immigrated to Canada with his family as an infant. The family moved often during de Lint's childhood because of his father's job with an international surveying company, but by the time Charles was twelve—having lived in Western Canada, Turkey and Lebanon—they had settled in Lucerne, Quebec, not far from where he now resides in Ottawa, Ontario.

In 1980, de Lint married the love of his life, MaryAnn Harris, who works closely with him as his first editor, business manager and creative partner. They share their love and home with a cheery little dog named Johnny Cash.

Charles de Lint is best described as a romantic: a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His skilled portrayal of character and settings has earned him a loyal readership and glowing praise from peers, reviewers and readers.

Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
—Holly Black (bestselling author)
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
—Alice Hoffman (bestselling author)

To read de Lint is to fall under the spell of a master storyteller, to be reminded of the greatness of life, of the beauty and majesty lurking in shadows and empty doorways.
—Quill & Quire

His Newford books, which make up most of de Lint's body of work between 1993 and 2009, confirmed his reputation for bringing a vivid setting and repertory cast of characters to life on the page. Though not a consecutive series, the twenty-five standalone books set in (or connected to) Newford give readers a feeling of visiting a favourite city and seeing old friends.
More recently, his young adult Wildlings trilogy—Under My Skin, Over My Head, and Out of This World—came out from Penguin Canada and Triskell Press in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Under My Skin won 2013 Aurora Award. A novel for middle-grade readers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, published by Little Brown in 2013, won the Sunburst Award, earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire, and was chosen by the New York Times Editors as one of the top six children's books for 2013. His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace (2009), is a fascinating ghost story about love, passion and faith. It was a finalist for both the Sunburst and Evergreen awards.

De Lint is presently writing a new adult novel. His storytelling skills also shine in his original songs. He and MaryAnn (also a musician) recently released companion CDs of their original songs, samples of which can be heard on de Lin

Reviews

[Todd Settimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly written by a mystic, this is one of the most magical novels I've ever read. DeLint's writing is a delight as well as the way he weaves a wealth of knowledge about music into the story. I'm a big fan of Celtic music and it's hard to read this book without hearing a ghostly reel playing in a far off corner of one's mind. Highly recommended. I've already begun sending copies to friends. And, oh goody, look - this author has a deep bibliography!

[Jalilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1991, years before the current " Urban Fantasy" trend, The Little Country is a magical and mythical novel taking place in our world. The setting, unlike other De Lint novels that are usually set either in Ottawa, Newford or the Southwest, is Cornwall, England. Most of the story is set in the time it was written, but part of the story, within the story, takes place in what appears to be the 19th century. Otherwise, the characteristics typical De Lint's writing; the blending of myth and reality, themes of confronting ones own past and redemption, are here. The supernatural is present too, but hidden at first. It is not the only thing the story is about. It is written like a thriller and is hard to put down. Oh and fans of Celtic music will love this book, as music is another underlying theme. For me it was not quite as powerful as some of his Newford Novels, but still is an enjoyable and excellent read that I would highly recommend.

[Holly (The GrimDragon) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every book tells a different story to the person who reads it. How they perceive that book will depend on who they are. A good book reflects the reader, as much as it illuminates the author's text.

Much like what The Gaffer says to Janey about the book choosing it's own time, I feel like that is what happened with me & The Little Country! I am a huge fantasy fan, so of course I have heard of Charles de Lint before, but not this particular book. One day last year, I was browsing my favorite used bookstore & sometimes books will just pop out at me. This was one of them! I liked the cover & quickly glanced at what little is written on the back & felt this urge to buy it. For $3.50, I was willing to try it!

I am so glad I did. I felt such kindred emotions for this book. So much of it reminded me of my Gramps, a love for music, my fascination with England.

I have always been obsessed with England. My husband & I both have it high on our bucket list to visit. We love the British humor; architecture; tv shows; the history. After watching the gorgeous movie starring Domhnall Gleeson & Bill Nighy "About Time" a few years ago, I fell in love with Cornwall. I could envision the rolling hills & the music playing that radiates from this book, which takes place there.

There is a gorgeous sense of wonder weaved in this story, which has a story within as well.

I could have done with less romance, because.. well, I have written enough reviews where I complain about the romance portion!

I wasn't really a fan of Janey Little, or really the whole Janey/Felix thing at all (see? Romance. Blergh.) However, I loved The Gaffer, Edern & Denzil!

I have since bought a few more de Lint books & I look forward to reading them. I know his Newford series is loved by many & I have wanted to read it for ages. I think he would do short stories quite well, because then he cannot let the voice get away from him as easily, which he occasionally did here.

I so enjoyed the atmosphere that de Lint created, the magical experience, the fact that this is really two fantasy stories in one & almost the nostalgia I felt. It was well written, but could have done with some editing & the transitions between stories could have went a little more smoothly.

I would recommend this for fans of fantasy, people who loved The Borrowers & those who truly enjoy an atmospheric setting!


(Reading challenge: A book about music)

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not actually a Charles de Lint fan. Since I read this book some years ago I've read a few books by the author that I really didn't care for, some I found okay, but none I like as well.

Sometimes it happens like that, you find the first book you stumble on by an author turns out to be the best you ever run across. The story caught my interest from the moment Janey (Little) finds the curious book in her grandfather's attic. The folk music angle...the magic permeating the story has all kinds of charm. I suppose that my liking for the folk music from "the old country" and it descendants today also helped... though I've never seen "the Littles" (I'd tell you what I mean by that, but it would be a spoiler.) :).

Anyway, the adventure weaving in and out of the book between Janey and Jodi is enthralling and well done. While I don't find any of the author's books actually all that memorable, I did find this one very readable and enjoyable.

Just my opinion, but this is (I think) the best I've read by de Lint.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago, a coworker of mine left his technical position behind, to focus full-time on his musical career, playing traditional music on instruments like the hammered dulcimer, fiddle and mandolin. The last time I saw Carl, he was bearded and smiling, looking younger than I'd ever seen him appear while at his job—and he's still going strong as of 2018.

I think Carl would fit right into Charles de Lint's world. The old music still has magic to it, you see, or at least it does in The Little Country.

The Little Country, originally published in 1991 by William Morrow and Company, might even have been my first encounter with Charles de Lint. Somewhere or another I still have the mass-market paperback I picked up around 1994—but the impetus for this current reading came when, while my wife and I were attending the festival-formerly-known-as-Wordstock in November 2018, I found a very nice hardcover copy of the Science Fiction Book Club (SFBC) reissue (published in 2003, without an ISBN, but apparently as a facsimile of the Morrow edition).

Before I'd even started reading the story again, though, I was impressed with the pageful of credits for the epigrams de Lint chose to start off each chapter of The Little Country—from Tom Robbins to Carrie Fisher, Susan Palwick to Matt Ruff, these gems range all over the map of late-1980s popular culture, much more widely than one might expect from a work of (you should pardon the expression) genre fantasy.

*

The Little Country consists of two parallel storylines, told in alternating chapters. The first is set in modern-day Cornwall—the southwestern toe of England, far from the bustle of London—where Janey Little lives with her grandfather, known as the "Gaffer," in a tiny coastal village called Mousehole, which they pronounce "Mouzel."

Janey and the Gaffer are close companions—since Janey's effectively an orphan, with her father dead and her mother having scarpered off to the States years ago, she and her grandfather have forged a transgenerational bond that is strong and deep—one of the best bits of characterization in the book, in fact. Janey's one of those multi-talented traditional musicians like Carl, and while she's no arena-filling rock star, she is modestly successful and anticipating an upcoming tour of the U.S. She and the Gaffer love the same music, and share much the same lifestyle despite their different ages. They both also revere the writing of their late friend William Dunthorn, who published two books in his life—the much-beloved children's classic called The Hidden People, and the deeper, more adult (but also less widely read) The Lost Music.

But then, in the Gaffer's attic, Janey finds Billy Dunthorn's third book, published (it says) "in an edition of one."

The second storyline in The Little Country, of course, relates what happens when Janey begins to read Dunthorn's last, long-lost work, The Little Country:

Jodi is an orphan, running the streets of a tiny coastal town named Bodbury that's much like Mouzel, in an unnamed land much like Cornwall though without its modern conveniences. Jodi lives with her aunt, who runs the local brothel, but her closest companion is the old inventor named Denzil—she spends most of her days in Denzil's loft, "a curious haphazard mixture of zoo, alchemist's laboratory, and mechanic's workshop" (p.26). Denzil's scientific experiments run to the fanciful—as The Little Country begins, he is trying to tempt two mice into voluntarily stepping aboard a mouse-powered aeroplane, although Denzil's would-be test pilots are having none of it...

Both of these happy beginnings are, of course, destined for disruption. Jodi's soon to run afoul of the Widow Pender, Bodbury's most mysterious and irascible senior citizen, while Janey and the Gaffer are about to suffer a series of unsettling intrusions from various Americans, all of whom seem to know that Billy Dunthorn left something very interesting behind when he died, although none of them seem to have a clue about just exactly what they're looking for...

*

For a work of what could have become rather twee fantasy, The Little Country is refreshingly adult-oriented, and occasionally even graphic (though nowhere near the level of Richard K. Morgan's science-fantasy series, A Land Fit For Heroes). The Little Country contains sex scenes, not all of them entirely consensual; acts of violence; car chases (okay, not really, although Janey's charming little three-wheeled Reliant does get quite a workout); and even the occasional curse word (although I'm not sure that a term like "chickenshit" {p.186} would come to a Cornishman's mind as easily as it does here).

This is not a book to read to the chiddlers at bedtime, unless they're unusually strong-minded offspring.

*

For the most part, this SFBC edition of The Little Country was cleanly edited and printed, eminently readable, but I did stumble over this one odd comparison:

It's akin to being an aviator—the sort of awareness of a Christ or a Buddha.
—p.385

Someone must have used search-and-replace a little too freely; this use of "aviator" instead of "avatar" actually shows up twice, on p.281 as well as in the above. The issue is not found in other editions of the book, as far as I can tell.

*

"I love this world," he added. "That is what rules my life. When I die, I want to have done all in my power to leave it in a better state than it was when I found it. At the same time I know that this can never be. The world has grown so complex that one voice can do little to alter it any longer. That doesn't stop me from doing what I can, but it makes the task hard."
—Peter Goninan, p.397

Ultimately, The Little Country seems like one such voice, a strong and clear part of the chorus. It's a hopeful book, a tale well-told, and it was a pleasure to revisit, like a song that never grows old.

[Andree]

DNFing after 90 pages. Another book I am just not enjoying. There's nothing wrong with it, but it doesn't hold my interest. I think I need to accept that some early de Lint isn't for me. And this book is too long to try and power through when I don't like it.

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story. The different characters were vibrant and real, the situations they found themselves in had a good emotional loading and you found yourself really uncertain what the end would be. The different storylines complemented each other well and left a good satisfying feel at the conclusion of the book.

One way this book really scored was the character development of the ‘bad guys’. A book I had recently finished had totally left out any character development for the bad guys but in this book they are rounded out, their back stories filled in and this makes them more ominous if anything.

As always De Lint's marvellous ability binds the canny and the uncanny, the real and the mythic (or is it mythic...) into a world that is completely believable. As he also so often does, a thread of music winds through the book and helps set the scenes. I was delighted to find a new novel by this author and it was lovely to read.

[Cupcakencorset · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic, music, mysticism and mythology all play their parts in shaping the world and lives of de Lint's characters in The Little Country. Set in the 1980s, these elements come up hard against the modern world and its corruptions and complications. In this book, de Lint shows once again that he is a master of painting the ineffable with words and images that touched my heart and spirit. Very highly recommended.

[JG (Introverted Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first Charles de Lint novels I read. I've been hooked ever since. It's still one of my favorites. I think it's the combination of well-written fantasy, the coast of Cornwall, and all the music that makes this one so wonderful.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Two stories in parallel. You'll lose yourself in this fantasy. I really must read more of this guy.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10
So much of this book is a delightful, magical, thought-provoking story, but the mismatched romance aspects (every woman loves Felix?) and the powerful, evil, mystical cabal who run the world plot(s) don’t work as well as the story of Jodi and her companions dealing with the Widow Pender and central tale surrounding William Dunthorn’s mysterious book. The author’s philosophizing is neatly woven into the themes and plots of the tales, adding depth rather than distractions within the story.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started writing a review, then I dropped ma phone and the back button was touched. . . So my review is thusly. . . "Literary Airport Fiction." "Not a perjoritive." Additionally, "More than readable." More so, "Whilst being applicable and individual to each read(er)." "Good night, love you for being you." "Will be reading mâs Charles de Lint."

Much better review this way :)

[Mariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Little Country contains two stories, a modern day world of seemingly inaccessible magic (wake up and smell the roses kinds), and the story within a story of a sinister fairy world that may not be entirely fictional after all. The magic of books and music! de Lint's got me there. (Add food to the equation and there really is nothing better.)
Charles de Lint writes well enough about what drives the normal old little people (er not the fairy kind of little people, the kind that get stepped on by the man. er not 'cause they are tiny and the man has big shoes), only it wasn't anything special to drive me on reading about them. I was tempted to rush through to get to the story within a story (um skimming is wrong and I never, ever do that. Because it is WRONG).
BOOMING VOICE: Read no further, for the path you take will lead to certain spoilage (not really, but surprises are nice). (Unless you've read others of de Lint's works, because there are distinct similarities.)
Semi-famous (amongst the rarefied folky circles, anyway) musician Janey ran away to be a musician admired by more people than those in their small Cornish town. Now she's back home 'cause she was sleeping with her guitar player (again). Her ex-love is still in town, still pining for what they once had. The self-satisfied side of Janey (that admittedly turned me off her) dumped Felix because he wouldn't play for audiences with her (she's callously mocked her friends for musical imperfections. I didn't blame him for fearing that gaze would turn on him next). I kinda felt that de Lint was in love with Janey more than I could be. He is a folk musician aside from being a writer, and I'm sure there were ideas of Janey in his mind that couldn't possibly happen in mine (also, if there are numerous descriptions of their ugly outfits from the get-go, you know you're in author infatuation land. I mean, they were yellow! Hideous yellow pants. Pants! Not Kill Bill pants either). It'd be nice if allowed to grow your own affection first, s'all I'm saying. Felix and Janey grow back together again like it was this inevitable thing that had to happen. Because Janey is sooooo great that loving anyone else is impossible. Don't agree. To me it was like the bratty kid deciding she wanted her favorite toy back.
Janey's best friend Cleo has been secretly in love with Felix for a long time. He never even realized, the dolt (maybe he was perfect for Janey after all). I liked better Cleo's new friendship with the town sad sack, as it wasn't based on presumptions the reader is meant to share. Their scenes were sweet little windows into what had to be a sad as heck life for the guy.
Janey was raised by her grandfather (her mother abandoned her to be a porn star. Guess bright lights beckon this family). The affection between the two was something realer to me than transient twenty-something relationships (hardly cared when in my twenties). Her grandfather's best friend happens to have a long lost (or is it really lost? duh duh! that was supposed to be an eerie drum roll. Told you I'm no musician) manuscript from her favorite author. If you have read de Lint's Newford short stories, this is pretty much that again. The "This book only belongs to me and I wanna keep it a secret!" feeling story again. (Why are people possessive of hidden favorite bands? Why not share and make your OWN SECRETS to put a secret smile on your face. If Mona Lisa could do it...). Dark forces want this manuscript. Yeah, yet another fantasy story about the pursuit of fill_in_the_blank object. These dark forces are organized, power-hungry THE MAN. The MAN'S daughter (THE MAN jr.?) was a pitiful character. I almost felt sorry for the baddies. Maybe something is wrong with me. I disliked the heroine and pitied the villainess.
I'm sounding harsher than I mean to. On to the good parts...
I enjoyed the story within a story very much (maybe that's why "they" want the book so much. Because they don't wanna read about Janey! Stop. beating. the. horse. Mariel).

But... it might yield candy if I hit it hard enough!
I loved reading about Jodi working in Deezil's strange animal shop. Her family are prostitutes and (imagine!) she dreams of something more than that. The adventures with the street kids she's too old to hang around with anymore were hilarious. The sinister dark forces were deliciously creepy. I loved the witch and her little people friends. This part was like reading the great short stories in de Lint's volumes (short story collections are a box of chocolate risks. Reading is risk, as all things).
Music being its own magic between worlds was a really good idea that you don't see every day. (Sheet music is included for those who can play the songs) Believe that I'm a believer about music. I've always wished that dream songs could be real (never remember them later). I imagined my own music. Celtic folk music isn't really my bag (pipes! haha I crack myself up). As Janey's role model (I'm catty today) Scarlett would say, fiddle-dee-dee(even I didn't laugh that time).

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, this started good. I was interested. It's a very unique and intriguing story for sure. There are.magical people, evil secret societies, a scary witch-like lady, talking dead people. All kinds of interesting things! I made it about halfway and I've been struggling for weeks now with it. I'm not sure what happened but I'm just not caring anymore what happens. I read a few pages, put it aside. So, I'm going to officially put it aside and move on.

[Karen Field · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out really well, very interesting. There are two stories running parallel with each other. At first, I enjoyed one story more than the other but I was eventually taken over into the other story. However, the middle seemed to drag on a bit. By the end it all made sense but I sort of lost a bit of interest.

The pros for the book was that the author used his imagination and touched on things that I’ve thought about but never said out loud. You’ll have to read the book to know what I’m talking about but the way our memory works was the main thing I found interesting…and the possibility that there is magic in our world, if only we could “see” it.

The cons were that there were several scenes that I felt were there for shock purposes. This book certainly is not recommended to under 18 year olds. Then again, that might be me being a bit of a prude. That aside, there were some awkward sentences that broke the flow and a fair bit of head hopping (which I find annoying).

Overall, this was a good read.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Charles de Lint tale I read, and what a giddy ride!! "The Little Country" somehow feels like it's one of my own memories, it's so vivid! Perhaps something of a nightmare that I've woken from & been assured is okay, that it's not real.
But I still wake at times, jaw anxiety-tight...
Yes, the Little's leave a big impression... :)

[Jamie Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several of deLint’s other novels and always admired his ability to make magic tangible in a contemporary, real world setting. The way he weaves myth and fairytale into otherwise ordinary settings is almost like a kind of magic in itself. He is also a master at avoiding fantasy tropes, telling stories that are full of unique characters and plot twists.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places, but it seems harder and harder to find standalone Fantasy novels. Everyone seems into trilogies (especially if you're writing YA) and long series. I get it. Why spend all that time world-building for just one novel? But, even so, sometimes I don't want to invest in a long saga or three-parter. I just want a great Fantasy read. And with The Little Country, I found one. Not too long, but meaty and very satisfying. No new languages to learn or worlds to get to know, but also full of magic and wonder and somehow presenting the known world in a way that feels fresh and unusual. My husband's ancient copy of this book has numerous endorsements on the jacket from luminaries ranging from Andre Norton to Robert Jordan, and I agree with them all.

My complaints were fairly minor. The biggest is the character of Lena Grant. I just found her entirely too convenient. Nothing about her seemed authentic. She's at first portrayed as a total stereotypical rich society girl. Then, with very little time and interaction, she's suddenly in love with a male protagonist and rethinking all her ways. She flat out rapes said male protagonist, and though she later apologizes, it's like she's just apologizing for being a jerk. The entire incident has no real gravity, nor does her own subsequent rape by another character seem to have any serious impact on her. Without giving anything away, I'll just say that there is sort of an explanation as to why she doesn't blame her rapist for his actions, but still, she just brushes it off like it's nothing. Pretty much everything about her bothered me and if she'd been more integral to the plot it might have undermined my appreciation for the story, but as it is, I'm just taking away some "points" for it. My second biggest complaint is likewise not an important character and I can't say too much about her without spoiling things, but let's say this: Connie is also a total stereotype/cliche, and she likewise had a pretty sudden change of heart with very little to prompt it, making her turnabout also feel too contrived and neat. She could have just disappeared after playing her role and that would have been fine.

Overall, though, I really liked this story. Just a wonderful, classic fairytale. Everything I like best about Charles de Lint is at work here--weaving myth and legend with religion and reality, philosophical insights, challenging mainstream views with "what ifs," beautiful prose, gorgeous authentic-feeling landscapes. And extra bonuses: sociopath villains, ceremonial magicians, and super geeking out about books and music. It was especially interesting to read this on the heels of my journey through his Newford books, where the mythology is heavily influenced by Native American spirituality, whereas this one is set in a tiny village in Cornwall. If you're looking for a good standalone (urban--not "high") fantasy read, don't miss this one! (And if you have others to recommend to me, please do!)

[Иван Величков · Rating 4 out of 5]

Две сюжетни линии, две напълно различни истории.
Де Линт е магьосник в ърбън фентъзито и всеки път доказва, че може да е различен и успешен. Другото е, че принего едни 600 страници не тежат по никакъв начин и един разтегнат финален сблъсък всеки път си пада на мястото.
Първата история е за Джени Литъл – английска музикантка с афинитет към гайди и фолклорна музика, която живее с дядо си в малко английско градче. Един ден открива неизвестна книга на любим детски писател, която е различна за всеки който я чете. Оказва се, че писателят е стар приятел на дядо ѝ, а книгата съдържа магия, която е желана от стар магически култ. Това отключва редица проблеми на семейство Литъл и на всички техни съграждани и води до много интриги, предателства, насилие и дори убийства.
Втората е приказката, която Джени чете в книгата. Увлекателна история за деца, ама от онези – хубавите – които хем успяват да ти изправят козината по гърба, хем да те сгреят по един приятен начин.
Джоди живее в малко английско градче и помага на щур изобретател. Когато местната вещица я проклина и смалява до размера на мишка, тя и нейните приятели трябва да направят невъзможното, за да преборят вещицата и да спасят града от злосторното ѝ влияние.
Двете истории се преплитат една в друга по един находчив и почти незабележим до края начин. И има музика, много музика. Включително приложение с нотопис на песните, които се срещат из страниците. Защо? Защото музиката е магия, магията която движи света, даже два свята.
Мога само да мрънкам, че това не се развива в Нюпорт и съответно образите не са на онези изстрадали, но готови на всичко момчета и момичета. Е, освен Дафни. Ама това е защото въпросния град в който всичко е възможно, още не е бил заченат през 1991, когато е писана.
Стилът на автора все още е малко суров тук, но книгата е чудесна.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must have failed completely to grasp that half the book (Jodi's storyline) was in fact the book Janey is reading. This wasn't clear to me at all, I went back and it still didn't seem to be made clear so either I am being especially stupid (possible) or it genuinely wasn't very clear.

This is a huge book, I feel it would have benefitted from some serious editing, also contains the usual gangster EVIL villains that De Lint seemed to be very keen on in his earlier books.

Something I find grates on me rather is how characters in his novels are often either good and well meaning people - salt of the earth - with incredible natural artistic talent or absolutely nasty types intent on destruction and killing, there is little middle ground. Having said that I do enjoy the Newford books a lot more.

There are some good ideas here but I rather lost interest towards the end with the shootings and other nonsensical stuff, at times it has a tendency to become super cheesy and at certain points plain daft.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting fantasy novel with a story within a story, the book story set in a less mechanized time (there are bicycles and steam locomotives, but no cars are mentioned that I can recall). There characters were engaging, and the sense of place in the frame story set in Cornwall was wonderful, but there was too much philosophizing for my taste. Most contemporary readers of fantasy would find this book rather slow, but despite my criticisms I liked it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed emotions over this one, although mostly positive. DeLint's writing style in the book is weird. At times it is almost amateurish, but then he throws in something beautiful, like you would read in classical literature. Sometimes it seemed like YA fiction, then there would be a graphic (and strangely ani-erotic and uncomfortable) sex scene or in depth violence.
Overall though, DeLint spins a great tale and really delves deeply into some heavy neo-pagan and magickal thought. I really enjoyed the way he wrapped up the book by making both the stories be readings from the same book. Cool trick that I have only seen done by the likes of Iain Banks and Nabokov.

8.8

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

To be fair, I love Charles de Lint, so I might be just the tiniest bit biased. However, this book was chock full of what makes de Lint...well, de Lint. Magic, reality, music all over the place. It's fantastic.

There is a bit of graphic violence and adult situations, so be forewarned. This one is not child friendly.

This book is definitely tailored for an adult audience, and has a nice mix of backstory, fantasy, inter-personal relationships, metaphysical philosophy, and just good old fashioned fun. I suggest that anyone with an interest in urban fantasy and/or Celtic music take a look at this one.

For a more complete review, visit my blog at http://nerdinparadise.wixsite.com/ner...

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

636 p. Read for Classix Book Club
In Cornwall a book of magic things was found and read by Janey, Gramps, Clare, and Felix. The Order of the Dove people wanted it so they could benefit and control. A side story was about the Small people.

[Releanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a magical book in itself, as I re-read it and it was very different to what I remembered.

[Laura de Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not one of my top de Lint books, but I did enjoy it.

[Lunka ♫ ꩜ ☽ ⛧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, de Lint manages to mix logic and magic, legends of the past and the practical world of today in an incredible way. It is an amazing skill.

[Mieneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was recommended by Amanda, though Liz vociferously agreed I should read it, especially when they learned I'd never read anything by Charles de Lint. I do think I scandalised them somewhat with that confession. So I dutifully added it to my basket and read it last Summer during my holiday and due to morning/24-7 sickness it ended up on the backlogged reviews pile. So as such this review will probably not be as in-depth as my usual reviews, but it will be heartfelt, as if I remember it with my pregnancy-addled brain, it really must have made an impression on me! So here goes...

The Little Country was first published in 1991, but has the feeling of harkening back to an earlier era, both in the 'contemporary' setting of Janey's story and in the story told in the manuscript of The Little Country. Janey's story seems to be set in the late seventies to early eighties, while the manuscript is set even earlier. As such to me, the book had a quaint and old-fashioned feeling, which I really rather liked. It took me a few chapters to get into the flow of the book, but once I did I was wholly immersed in De Lint's world.

The book is essentially the interweaving of two stories, the main one being Janey's story, in which she discovers the manuscript of The Little Country and not only finds out there is something magical about it beyond the charming story told within, but also needs to protect the story and its secrets from corporate sharks who want to get their hands on it for nefarious purposes. The other part is the actual story told in the manuscript, which like the book is called The Little Country. This latter story is about Jodi and her adventures when she is turned into a tiny, little person, no larger than a fairy by the village witch. She is saved by the village children and some of the eccentric adults who live there. Both stories are set in Cornwall, which lends an atmospheric and magical feel to both of them.

Of the two, I enjoyed Jodi's story the most, as it resembles a fairytale and has many folkloric elements to it. Her meeting Edern, another traveller who's been turned into a little person by the Widow, is the catalyst for the rest of her adventures and I liked that there was both a hint of romance to their meeting and more importantly a friendship formed that would connect the mortal world with the Barrow World, the world on the other side of the veil, where magic is real and music is its voice.

Janey's story centres on music as well, as she's a well-known, even famous, fiddle-player and music is her life. While Jodi's narrative was my favourite, I did like the more gritty and mystery-like atmosphere of Janey's narrative. She runs into some pretty nasty characters and has to do some serious investigating to keep the manuscript safe. And in Janey's part we do get a full-blown romance, when her ex-boyfriend Felix makes an appearance because he received a letter that Janey needed him, a letter Janey didn't send. I really enjoyed this aspect as well, as Janey and Felix have to learn to trust each other again in the midst of turmoil and plots and chases by the bad guys.

Overall, I really enjoyed my first experience reading Charles de Lint and I look forward to exploring more of his work. Seeing as he is quite a prolific author, there is a lot to choose from! If you're like I was and have never read any of his work, please pick up The Little Country; it will sweep you away to a magical place and show you what classic urban fantasy looks like, with tramp stamps or vampires anywhere in sight. So thank you Amanda and Liz, for giving me another author I need to catch up on, as ever your recommendation was spot on!

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a while to get going, but when it did, it got going.

You know what you're getting into whenever you crack open a Charles de Lint read. A touch of fantasy, a touch of the real world, and it's all wrapped up in a cute little package that's so pretty that you don't want to damage it. His sentences aren't lyrical, but somehow, the finished whole is more of a lyrical book. His characters are nicely fleshed out, and his fantastical worlds are so close to the real world, that it's hard to really call it a portal fantasy. His books are peppered with all sorts of evil villains, and varied protagonists.

I thought some of the themes presented in the novel didn't quite mesh as well as I would have liked with the character's journeys, making the climax fall a little flatter than I would have liked, which paired with the slow beginning with the Gaffer, made me dock it a star. Still, it was a worthwhile read and an excellent distraction from a tough week.

5.30.21 Re-read: Upon reading more De Lint, this was one of his better works. A lil messy, yes, but fairly well-rounded for a non-Newford book. The re-read happened while waiting for my sister to graduate, which the value of that is immeasurable since we had to get there 2 hours earlier so my Mom could get the seat she wanted.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. de Lint uses the curious device of two separate stories that twine around each other like the two snakes of a caduceus. They don’t touch or meet but wind up facing each other in eerie parallel. You wonder, briefly, which is the tale being told and which is the one being read. It’s neatly done yet wins the reader with its utter charm that is greater than a mere clever plot device.

The accents, colloquialisms and local talk pepper this story. The accents are never played for laughs (although there is the occasional poking at Americans) but form the backdrop of a tale about the race for a mysterious talisman that is different for everybody who gazes on it.

Touching, lyrical, oddball and exciting, The Little Country makes its case that there is magic all around us with firm yet gentle insistence. There are musicians, singers, people tone-deaf and incapable of playing, believers, skeptics, users and abusers of magic and those who are smart enough to leave it alone. All of them take their turns in this novel, leaving you a-buzz with their various ambitions, desires and longings. Whether all the ills of the world could be solved with listening to an elusive tune is debatable, yet when you read this novel you find it hard to muster your doubts.