Should I start from the beginning or somewhere in the middle??

May 28, 2006 12:07 PM

bookfilter: I just discovered a book I want to read by Charles De Lint. It is his latest novel Widdershins.

It seems to be part of his Newford series. From what I gather, Newford is a town from which several novels are based. The first is The Dreaming Place. There are about 15 books between the first in this series and the most recent.
Is anyone out there familiar? He seems to have a following.
My question is this...should I start from the beginning or is there another previous book (ie not necessarily the first) I should read first?

posted by TheLibrarian to Writing & Language (6 answers total)

I've read most of his books. A lot of them are set in and around Newford but they're not a series per se. It's kind of fun to read them chronologically, and it gives you some more insight on recurring characters, but it's really not necessary: each book stands alone.
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:30 PM on May 28, 2006

There are recurring characters in his fictional city of Newford. You might miss a little of the backstory, but, I don't think you would have any problem following the story. He's an excellent writer, and completely underrated. (He's an author that I collect, which is a challenge because he puts out a lot of small press material). I should warn you that you will probably want to get the rest of the Newford series after reading him.
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 1:28 PM on May 28, 2006

Also, I was wondering, it seems like some of his stuff is young adult and other stuff in the adult section...from the newford series.
I have no problem reading YA , I just thought it was weird.

I have already ordered the first book of the Newford "series".
The library has the rest. (strange that they are missing the first book...maybe I will donate mine)
I can't wait to start it!
posted by TheLibrarian at 1:46 PM on May 28, 2006

If you don't want to jump into a novel he has several short story collections set in Newford. My books are disorganized after a move otherwise I'd lookup some titles, amazon or his website can probably help you.

He does a good job of recounting the history of a character quickly in each new book, so you may miss out on some subtleties but you won't be completely lost. I'm the type of guy who has to read a series in order, and that's what I usually suggest, but unlike a trilogy I don't think it's required in the case of the Newford stories.

His non-Newford books are good too, such as The Little Country. Forests of the Heart is one of my favorite Newford books.

I didn't realize he had a new book out, I may have to go spend some money tomorrow.
posted by beowulf573 at 3:51 PM on May 28, 2006

The only book of his that you REALLY need to read before Widdershins is probably The Onion Girl--that deals with Jilly and her recent life, and it has a direct bearing on events of Widdershins.

I'd also recommend reading Dreams Underfoot--it's a collection of short stories. It's a good introduction to the wide variety of characters he uses. He's got a bunch of Newford collections, in fact.

It's not necessary to read all the books in order--Newford is just the default setting for many of his stories, and different characters move in and out.

I agree that he's completely underrated--he does beautiful, transcendent things in his books. Widdershins reduced me to a sobbing wreck when I read it a few months ago, it was so wonderful.
posted by eilatan at 3:55 PM on May 28, 2006

Charles de Lint is one of the best novelists living. The Little Country is my single favorite book ever, and I have been reading steadily for my entire life. I think it probably won't speak to most people as strongly as it did to me, but I was in precisely the right spot in my life to read that book when I did, and it affected me profoundly.

His books will not whack you over the head; they're understated and comfortable and full of wonder.
posted by Malor at 6:44 PM on May 28, 2006