Greenmantle

Greenmantle is a beautiful story, a hidden story. It is a story of love, murder, revenge, loss, past mysteries, resolution, friendship and the fantastic. This is the first work of Charles De Lint's that I have read, and I must say that he will be put on my list of must read author's after this wonderful book. Greenmantle is the tale of "a mystery," a being that exist in our world, yet lives in a parallel version of that same world. He is a stag, a greenman, Pan, a goat, etc. Alice Treasure and her mother, Frankie, move to a very small country town out in the woods after winning the lottery. Ali discovers the sound of pipes playing in the woods and is changed by the sound. Mix this story with a mafia story and what you have is Greenmantle. I never thought that I would be a fan of any story about the mafia. Just never been in to that genre, but De Lint works the mafia into a work of fantasy and it really works! What you get is a wonderful story with a strong human touch and beautiful, well developed characters, set in the real world, yet a fantasy world at the same time. De Lint's writing style reminds me a lot of Neil Gaiman's. Common themes can be drawn between the two writers. Both are able to create a totally believable fantasy world within the modern world in which we live. Both focus on relationships between people and the power that is in those relationships. Both take ordinary people and make them into their own kind of heroes. Gaiman has a slight edge over De Lint, but that should not take anything away from De Lint. De Lint knows how to write a page turner that doesn't just have a driving plot (numerous plots at that), but he knows how to write well. He always chooses the right words and really makes this book an enjoyable and moving experience. The cover art is wonderful and is done by David Bergen. Nice stuff. Favorite line of the book: "I've been all the way there and back again - just like Bilbo."

As usual, Mr. DeLint brings us a tale full of engaging characters and modern-day myth. He artfully conveys what happens to diversity, Magick, and people for whom that Magick is a way of life when attempts are made to stamp out that diversity and Magick. The world is large and there is room for wonder, mystery, and ALL faiths. Mr. DeLint renews my faith in human nature with each book he writes.

Charles deLint is the master of urban fantasy, and Greenmantle is one of his finest works. I was thrilled to find out about the re-release of this book (as my old copy disappeared)! A mother and daughter trying to rebuild, a man trying to disappear, a horned girl who does, and a village that doesn't exist are all woven together with deLint's deft touch. Magic, mystery, action and heart can all be found in this wonderful book. He also adds exporations of folklore and religion, but is never heavy- handed. Required reading for any collector of deLint, or lover of urban fantasy.

I am overjoyed to see this immanent re-release. DeLint has an ability to merge mundane 'reality' and the realm of Faerie that is absolutely unmatched. This novel is one of his best; an amazing tale of fantasy, suspense, magick, and the power of Nature. The story is of a mother and daughter who have just moved into a very rural area of Canada, the man down the road whose past is threatening to catch up with him, an elusive elfin girl, and an ancient horned Mystery in the woods. Note: For Wiccans and Pagans, this is one of the finest explorations of the Horned God bar-none (and DeLint's not even Pagan).

Meet Mally, of the tangled hair and tiny horns, who's not important enough to be a "mystery" -- she's just a "secret." Mally's friend, Ali, a girl who is drawn into the magic of the forest where she meets the Mystery and finds that all things do not need to be explained -- some are just to be experienced. And Ali's mother, Frankie, who becomes a believer in magic -- and in love. Put a Zamfir CD on and settle down for an incredible trip into the magical world of Charles DeLint.