Cerin is an orphan raised by a country witch by the village of Wran Cheaping, where he is seen as somewhat an outsider. It is there that he catches his first glimpse of a girl he knows only as the Grey Rose. He befriends and soon falls for the mysterious beauty, only for her to be stolen from him by a powerful enemy. Cerin must rescue her armed only with his tinker's knowledge and gift for weaving song.
Harp of the Grey Rose is old school fantasy - naive small town guy meets mysterious girl in peril and goes on a quest to save her and ultimately win her love. Nothing particularly new there then. Though the story is not original, the storytelling has a certain magic and poetry to it, creating an interesting world and readable characters. And that is something I have heard often when it comes to the well-loved author.
This was my first Charles de Lint novel, and enjoyable enough, though one that I know is quite different to much of his other urban fantasy work. Which should I read next?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Harp of the Grey Rose - Charles de Lint
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5 comments:
I was so excited when I stumbled on this one in a used bookstore, because I had been thinking for ages that I should read it...and then I am sorry to say I didn't actually like it that much! I think it was a little too "old school fantasy" for me.
My favorites (which convinced me Charles de Lint is brilliant and I should read Harp of the Grey Rose!) are The Blue Girl and a book of short stories, Waifs and Strays. They're more in the urban fantasy direction, and I'm pretty sure Cerin shows up in at least one or two of the stories (though I might be thinking of a different collection).
I'm still convinced that de Lint is brilliant, though I'm also a little more careful about which of his books I pick up...
marveloustales - Blue Girl and Waifs & Strays were both gifts I received last year, so I'm really looking forward to reading them now. Thanks!
I love Charles de Lint so much, I know I will read everything's written if I can.
I recommend the Blue Girl and his collection of stories tapping the dream tree. The dreaming place was good too.
I enjoyed this book, too, but he just gets better and better throughout his career. I'd try Memory and Dream, which is the first of his Newford books, I believe. I think you'd really enjoy that one. Or else try Moonheart, another good one to start with. I'll be looking forward to your thoughts as you read de Lint's books!
Valentina - Thanks, I have the Blue Girl so might read that first.
Darla - Thanks for the tip, I'll let you know what I read next!
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