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Widdershins

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Widdershins

By: Charles de Lint
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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Ever since Jilly Coppercorn and Geordie Riddell were introduced in de Lint’s first Newford story, “Timeskip,” back in 1989, their friends and readers alike have been waiting for them to realize that they belong together. Now, in Widdershins, a stand-alone novel of fairy courts set in shopping malls and the Bohemian street scene of Newford's Crowsea area, Jilly and Geordie’s story is finally being told. Before it’s over, we’ll find ourselves plunged into the rancorous and sometimes violent conflict between the magical North American “animal people” and the more newly arrived fairy folk. We’ll watch as Jilly is held captive in a sinister world based on her own worst memories—and Geordie, attempting to help, is sent someplace even worse. And we’ll be captivated by the power of love and determination to redeem ancient hatreds and heal old magics gone sour.

To walk “widdershins” is to walk counterclockwise or backwards around something. It’s a classic pathway into the fairy realm. It’s also the way people often back slowly into the relationships that matter, the real ones that make for a life. In Widdershins, Charles de Lint has delivered one of the most accessible and moving works of his career.

©2006 Charles de Lint (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics Fantasy Genre Fiction Magical Realism
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Critic reviews

“[A] pleasing addition to the popular Newford saga…inevitably recalls Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, to which this more intimate and folksy book compares favorably.”

(Publishers Weekly)

“As familiarly as though he were chronicling the lives of old friends, de Lint spins yet another magical story of the intersections between reality and the faerie and spirit world in this latest addition to the Newford opus, his twin loves of storytelling and music-making shining through every page...Highly recommended.”

(Library Journal (starred review))

“De Lint weaves the individual characters’ stories into a tight-knit whole, accompanied by music, love, pugnacity, frustration, and healing. Many of his faithful readers see the people he has created as kin they want to keep up with. Walk widdershins (i.e., counterclockwise) once and you may, too.”

(Booklist (starred review))

“Widdershins is easily one of de Lint’s best books…an excellent, heartfelt read that delivers a satisfying conclusion. De Lint fans would be foolish to miss this book, and urban fantasy readers will find a lot to enjoy here.”

(SFSite.com)

“De Lint is a master stylist, and the tale of Jilly and Geordie’s slow but inevitable coming together is told with extraordinary sensitivity and grace…Emotionally resonant.”

(RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!))
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I keep wanting to call this book 'fun', but it deals with some incredibly dark issues. It does that well, and balances the dark elements out with quirky characters and fantastic, surreal imagery. The concept of friction between the native magical peoples of Europe and the America is an interesting one, as well. There are a lot of things in this book that could've been hilariously bad or offensive, but were very well dealt with and made it better for that. Good narration, too.

The only negative is the constant, overwhelming fuzzy-wuzzy 'friends are family and we look out for each other, and together we can get through anything'. It's a nice moral to the story, sure, but it's just constantly forced down your throat. The book also felt like it was maybe the second in a series (that or the characters all just have immensely rich backstories which get referred to a lot). I'll have to look into that. It's not a negative, just something to note.

Overall, great fairy tale.

Awesome urban fantasy

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brilliant story well read. charles de lint is a superb crafter of urban fantasy novels and this keeps you listening from start to finish

superb

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A wonderful story, brilliantly read by Kate Reading. I love the world Charles de Lint has created.

Wonderful Book

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This ends up being a real feel-good book. My favourite character is Honey the pitbull. Because I had read the book before I was really looking forward to her appearance.

The reader is excellent, especially when voicing the Crow Girls, but she handles the huge cast of characters and multiple points of view with enormous aplomb. The writing works for her, of course, but you can always tell who is speaking as she moves between the characters.

I wish there were more of de Lint's books on audio - there are lots of them, after all!

Magical

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So far I really enjoyed the storyline but what it a stand out experience for me was the wonderful narration by Kate Reading who made all the characters individual and come alive. I will hope to find other Charles de Lint books narrated by her

One of my favourites

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