Charles DeLint: Dreams Underfoot

[Lily]

I have read a few books by De Lint. This book is the first in the massive series. I read Someplace to Be Flying a few years ago and was really wowwed. Then I decided I want to start the series in the beginning. Dreams Underfoot (Newford Book 1) is the first in the Newford series.

I also read Moonheart (a fantasy book unrelated to Newford series). It was slow to get going but was truely lyrical and captivating once past the slow start.

So here I go with Dreams Underfoot (Newford Book 1). If you have read it and have some comments, or want to jump in and read along with me, please do.

[Carolyn F.]

I have never even heard of this series and it's huge! Are all of the books fantasy genre?

[Lily]

It is urban fantasy. When I was on a Tanya Huff tangent, I remember reading somewhere that she cited DeLint as an influence in her "urban fantasy" books. I love Huff's Blood Books. I have noticed other writer's note he is an influence. His style reminded me a lot of a type of writing called Magical realism. It is set in modern times and the story is more like a folk tale with magjic in modern times then-- what I typically read in UF-- e.g. tough chicks and leather.

Moonheart is straight up fantasy. The Newford series is UF. I am on the first story in the book. So far so good. More later.

[Carolyn F.]

I just ordered it from the library and I'm 1 for 1 so hopefully I'll get it this week.

[Lily]

I finished the first story. It really reads more like a folk tale or literature than the urban fantasy/detective/romance/adventure stuff I read a lot of these days. It is a nice change. I am now in teh second story. I'll comment more when you get the book.

[Carolyn F.]

I picked it up and am about 20 pages in - it's my doctors' appt book :)

[Lily]

Carolyn F. wrote: "I picked it up and am about 20 pages in - it's my doctors' appt book :)"

I am still working my way through. I enjoy it. I am never good with short stories.

[Carolyn F.]

I'm okay with short stories, but this book is huge! I hope I can finish it before it's due.

[Lily]

I must be honest. I just couldnt get into this book. If I was a person wanting to get a taste of De Lints writing, I would read Someplace to Be Flying. If I bought this (Dreams Underfoot) I would continue to move slowly through it, but alas I have it from the library and am about to start paying late fees.

Back it goes. I would say this book is closer to magical realism or modern folk tales than what we have come to see as uf.

Maybe if I was to go back and read some of the early work I read in UF, I wouldn't be as impressed as I was then when it was "fresh pov".

I still see hint of the "lyrical writing" that was so spellbinding to me when I read STBF or Moonheart. But I have Ghost Story, The Suicide Collectors, and Mind Storm vying for my attention and sadly this book lost out.

[Carolyn F.]

Mine's due back too. I wish it were smaller and one story. It would be easier for me to read. It was good though and I'll look for it at the used book store.