The Onion Girl (Newford)
by Charles de Lintpublished
August 3rd 2002
by Tor Books
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binding
Paperback, 512 pages
characters
setting
Canada
isbn
0765303817
(isbn13: 9780765303813)
description
Now in softcover, Charles de Lints stunning new novel of magic and danger in the modern world. In novel after novel, and story after story, Charles d...more
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Read in June, 2007
This is the book where Charles de Lint delves into the history of everyones favorite character: Jilly Coppercorn. It goes into how she came to be the person she is, and the catalyst that forces her to come to terms with her past. We find "magical-so-open-minded-her-brain-may-fall-out" Jilly has an unfortunate past that is echoed in many womens lives. The book also weaves together the colorful collection of characters de Lint has created over the years in his Newford short stories. ...more
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Read in September, 2008
I thought about how many stars to give this book for far too long, and after waffling between three and four for the better part of my morning, I had to put my foot down and stick with three. (I get rather desperate with my work avoidance tactics sometimes.)
This book had two things stacked against it when I initially started reading: I'd never heard of de Lint and I haven't read fiction in years, but despite that, I enjoyed it a great deal. It was very easy to get into, the characters were i...more
This book had two things stacked against it when I initially started reading: I'd never heard of de Lint and I haven't read fiction in years, but despite that, I enjoyed it a great deal. It was very easy to get into, the characters were i...more
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I am used to reading young adult fiction, so I was surprised by the slower pace of the action. There are a number of characters who take turns as the main character (none are narrator, but we follow them)...though I never felt like I really got to know them all. I guess it was just more like real life, where you only know what people tell you and they don't always tell you everything. (Maybe it was that these characters were older than those I usually meet, so they had enough life left unspok...more
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
This novel is a fantasy novel with an urban setting. The story follows the life of a talented painter, Jilly Coppercorn who has the ability to dream herself over into the Dreamlands or Faerie.
The story line begins with Jilly in the hospital, struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident. Her body has been bruised and broken, and she finds that she is able to enter the dreamlands while asleep. Despite concern on the part of her friends, she becomes more withdrawn from the harsh realities of her wr...more
The story line begins with Jilly in the hospital, struck by a car in a hit-and-run accident. Her body has been bruised and broken, and she finds that she is able to enter the dreamlands while asleep. Despite concern on the part of her friends, she becomes more withdrawn from the harsh realities of her wr...more
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Read in May, 2008
This book was the perfect antidote to the last book I read, so I fell in happily to De lint's world of fairies and worlds beyond. The characters are kind of idealized. They're the cadre of best buddies that everybody wants, but I think few people rarely have.
Nevertheless, I was up for some wishful idealized relationships so I don't fault De lint for that because it made reading the trials of the main character that much easier knowing she had all these friends that constantly spew uncond...more
Nevertheless, I was up for some wishful idealized relationships so I don't fault De lint for that because it made reading the trials of the main character that much easier knowing she had all these friends that constantly spew uncond...more
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Read in August, 2008
So between 3rd grade and probably 10th I read science fiction pretty exclusively, but then kinda grew out of it. Since college or so, I'll occassionally grab something from one of my old favorite authors (Anne McCaffrey, Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks, etc.), but generally I've kinda been over them. I've really enjoyed the two Charles De Lint books I've read (including this one), however, I think because they're more character driven (i.e. how will the paralyzed girl adjust to not resuming her fo...more
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
idiots and those trapped in the realm of faerie
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time...
What a clunker. I heard from the rest of the bookclub ladies that it wasn't great, but I was willing to give it a chance. Mistake.
I made it to page 49 and refused to proceed any further after reading this dreck:
"I believe in a different kind of magic," Sophie said. "The kind we make between each other. The kind that comes from our art and how it can change us. The world doesn't need any more than that." ...more
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time...
What a clunker. I heard from the rest of the bookclub ladies that it wasn't great, but I was willing to give it a chance. Mistake.
I made it to page 49 and refused to proceed any further after reading this dreck:
"I believe in a different kind of magic," Sophie said. "The kind we make between each other. The kind that comes from our art and how it can change us. The world doesn't need any more than that." ...more
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Read in June, 2008
Man, I remember about ten years ago when I loved everything Charles de Lint. This one was hard for me to get into. Maybe the subject matter was so disturbing, or maybe the storylines were a bit intricate. It just felt like more of an exercise in determination to get through it than I remember from most of his books. I just picked up a copy of Widdershuns and realized that Onion Girl should probably be read first....it's been sitting in my house for about five years now, so something must hav...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
fans of fantasy or surrealism; people interested in magic and native/indigenous folklore/traditions
Charles de Lint is the Man of urban fantasy writers. I really appreciate and respect his ability as a middle-aged man to return to a place of youth and wonder, as well as inhabit and develop female characters. It is impossible to not love Jilly Coppercorn. Her sister, Raylene, at first monstrous, is also supercool. De Lint eases the reader into empathy for her and and understanding of the roots of her violent, alienating, and callous ways. Joe Crazy Dog and his friends are pretty much bad asses ...more
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Read in January, 2004
For better or for worse, this was actually the first Newford story I read. I have gathered that diehards who have read de Lint's numerous shorts and other novels with the same setting and sometimes shared characters that a novel centered around Jilly was a long time coming. Regardless, it's a great story with a rich set of conflicts and a well-done relationship between this world and the alternate world(s) people stumble into. Bits and pieces of Native American folklore add a nice layer.
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I love this man. love him, he ca create charachters that one can almost touch (I swear I've met a few) bringing the magic of everyday undaneness into closer focus, this book is probably my favorite f his for many factors:
1) I am a girl, very similar to Jilly
2) this book was read at a poignant part of my life, where i too was peeling back the layers to discover the (sic) jewel within...those of you who know me know i'm being a sarcastic wiseass...
truly i love this book
1) I am a girl, very similar to Jilly
2) this book was read at a poignant part of my life, where i too was peeling back the layers to discover the (sic) jewel within...those of you who know me know i'm being a sarcastic wiseass...
truly i love this book
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Read in February, 2006
Because fantasy should be character-driven. Because the best modern fantasy worlds should drive you to look for itself everywhere. Because De Lint has developed the best pan-pantheoninc otherworld I have ever encountered. Because he uses that in conjunction with a great story.
If you have any interest magic or the fantasy genre in general, read this. It is easily the best fantasy written this millennium, and in my opinion, the second best book written in this millennium.
If you have any interest magic or the fantasy genre in general, read this. It is easily the best fantasy written this millennium, and in my opinion, the second best book written in this millennium.
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1 comments
Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
Everyone
An interesting novel with a surreal modern magic approach and multiple narrators, the story approaches a variety of issues, the biggest being child abuse. The darkness of the story does not destroy the enjoyment of reading it, but it enhances the fantastical elements by comparison and expresses the escapism and emotions of adults who overcome or attempt to overcome such backgrounds.
A thought provoking fantasy/scifi novel that is just amazing.
A thought provoking fantasy/scifi novel that is just amazing.
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Read in January, 2005
The problem with De Lint is he's just not nearly as imaginative as he thinks he is. His "flights of fancy" are flat and derivative at best. Even worse, in my mind; he can't write believable dialog, friendships, or young people. At all.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
modern fantasy fans
Once I got used to de Lint's tendency to discuss fantastic things as if they're common knowledge, I enjoyed this story. The writing style is unique, sophisticated, introspective and fun, and the plot is convoluted but not impossible to follow. It's the sort of book that I enjoyed reading once, probably won't read again, and wish that I had kept a pencil on hand while reading it; lots of quote-worthy lines!
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
everyone
As if I needed reminding why Charles is my favorite author, He makes magic such a common everyday thing, and you know that he "knows". Jilly Coppercorn, one of the most central denizens of Newford- finally gets her own book - and it's a doozy! There's also somewhat of a tie- in with my favorite deLint book ever "Forests of the Heart" The order doesn't matter but you should definitely read them both!
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Read in May, 2008
This is what fantasy written by Oprah would look like. I like the concept of urban fantasy, and I've enjoyed some of de Lint's work, but this mostly bored me.
The overall concept of the book is good: the protagonist Jilly Coppercorn must heal herself, both physically and psychologically, by going into the dreamlands. That said, there's a lot of sitting around and talking over coffee.
The overall concept of the book is good: the protagonist Jilly Coppercorn must heal herself, both physically and psychologically, by going into the dreamlands. That said, there's a lot of sitting around and talking over coffee.
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Read in September, 2008
recommended to Amanda by:
Stephanie
I absolutely love this book. CDL weaves his Newford based stories so well, in this case bringing back many of his past characters but centering on the best of the lot, Jilly Coppercorn. She is the orignal small fierce woman and an inspirational character, she stays with me each time I put the book down (I'm reading it for about the fourth time).
I'll see you in the cathedral woods Jilly....
I'll see you in the cathedral woods Jilly....
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Read in July, 2007
Dear Mr. DeLint,
I really really wanted to love this book. But, well, eeeew. Did all the characters have to be so damn one dimensional and cheesy? It has all the emotional maturity of a junior high school girl with a predilection for Native American tourist artifacts.
Love,
Rachel
p.s. I know, I know. You're probably thinking, "How's your novel Rachel?" I apologize.
I really really wanted to love this book. But, well, eeeew. Did all the characters have to be so damn one dimensional and cheesy? It has all the emotional maturity of a junior high school girl with a predilection for Native American tourist artifacts.
Love,
Rachel
p.s. I know, I know. You're probably thinking, "How's your novel Rachel?" I apologize.
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Read in July, 2008
i found this so not engaging that i actually forgot i'd read it.
and i only read it a week and a half ago.
it's that kind of fantasy that wants to teach you a lesson. it bangs and bangs and bangs you over the head with it.
child abuse, rape, hillbillies and faeries. i really didn't dig it.
at the same time, it wasn't bad enough for me to quit reading.
it was just... ok.
and i only read it a week and a half ago.
it's that kind of fantasy that wants to teach you a lesson. it bangs and bangs and bangs you over the head with it.
child abuse, rape, hillbillies and faeries. i really didn't dig it.
at the same time, it wasn't bad enough for me to quit reading.
it was just... ok.
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