Yarrow

Rating:
Summary: A Book That Both Frustrates And Pleases
Review: Based upon the author's critical acclaim, I thought I should get around to reading one of his works. And "Yarrow" came billed as a quintessential example of De Lint's writing. Having read it, I am unsure how soon I'll read another.

There is no question regarding the author's ability to write: the opening chapter declares clearly that he is in control of his craft, and can write lyrically and elegantly when he has a mind to. And the magical elements were masterfully done, weaving various threads of lore into the setting of this urban tale with a believability and wonder reminiscent of Tolkien, McKillip or the best faerie tales. The main characters, are real and well cast, and it is impossible not to take delight in Tiddy Mun. Lysistratus exudes an ancient evil.

So where is the problem? It exists for me in the way De Lint has chosen to structure his book (an organization, I am told, common to all his stories). The novel is composed around several diverse characters, not all of whom play a central role in the story. This in and of itself would not put me off--after all, it is a common device used successfully by any number of authors, George R.R. Martin and Robin Hobb to name but two. But De Lint shifts back and forth between his many characters with an alacrity I found disconcerting, often only a couple paragraphs sufficing before he switches to another character, another line of thought. And, at the beginning of the book--the first hundred or so pages--many of these characters and plot threads seem incidental, though I will admit he ties most together before the book's conclusion. Nonetheless, often I found myself just beginning to get into one or another of the characters' tales, only to be abruptly jerked out of their storyline and into another. While I don't require or necessarily desire a linearly constructed tale, I found the structure here intrusive, and more often than not interrupting the flow of the narrative, though, by the end of the book, events flow to a dramatic and satisfying conclusion, one of the best that I have recently encountered.

I additionally found the depiction of the main character, Cat Midhir, as a writer, worn and tired. So many authors, from Stephen King to Thomas Mann have drawn upon this device, that to find it again resurrected here as a means of meditating upon sources of inspiration and the writing process seemed stale and somewhat shopworn. Also, I was not enamored with the author's continual name-dropping, both of other speculative fiction writers that he obviously favors, or rock bands it is implied he listens to. This last habit in particular seemed contrived, serving more to announce the author's own "hipness" than any other purpose, and, at one point, unintentionally reveals De Lint's lack of actual knowledge or involvement with the music he associates himself with--the identification of Led Zeppelin with progressive rock is hardly a reference designed to establish the author's musical credibility.

Nonetheless, there is much here to admire, and the inventiveness with which the author approaches establishing his urban fantasy is imaginative and refreshing. I am sure there are many who, tired of the standard swords and sorcery, will find this book both original and enjoyable. And, if the author's abrupt and peripatetic style of composition is not distracting, you will certainly discover worlds of wonder and richness. However, personally I prefer a story with a bit more meat on the bones, and without the ribs showing.

Rating:
Summary: A Book That Both Frustrates And Pleases
Review: Based upon the author's critical acclaim, I thought I should get around to reading one of his works. And "Yarrow" came billed as a quintessential example of De Lint's writing. Having read it, I am unsure how soon I'll read another.

There is no question regarding the author's ability to write: the opening chapter declares clearly that he is in control of his craft, and can write lyrically and elegantly when he has a mind to. And the magical elements were masterfully done, weaving various threads of lore into the setting of this urban tale with a believability and wonder reminiscent of Tolkien, McKillip or the best faerie tales. The main characters, are real and well cast, and it is impossible not to take delight in Tiddy Mun. Lysistratus exudes an ancient evil.

So where is the problem? It exists for me in the way De Lint has chosen to structure his book (an organization, I am told, common to all his stories). The novel is composed around several diverse characters, not all of whom play a central role in the story. This in and of itself would not put me off--after all, it is a common device used successfully by any number of authors, George R.R. Martin and Robin Hobb to name but two. But De Lint shifts back and forth between his many characters with an alacrity I found disconcerting, often only a couple paragraphs sufficing before he switches to another character, another line of thought. And, at the beginning of the book--the first hundred or so pages--many of these characters and plot threads seem incidental, though I will admit he ties most together before the book's conclusion. Nonetheless, often I found myself just beginning to get into one or another of the characters' tales, only to be abruptly jerked out of their storyline and into another. While I don't require or necessarily desire a linearly constructed tale, I found the structure here intrusive, and more often than not interrupting the flow of the narrative, though, by the end of the book, events flow to a dramatic and satisfying conclusion, one of the best that I have recently encountered.

I additionally found the depiction of the main character, Cat Midhir, as a writer, worn and tired. So many authors, from Stephen King to Thomas Mann have drawn upon this device, that to find it again resurrected here as a means of meditating upon sources of inspiration and the writing process seemed stale and somewhat shopworn. Also, I was not enamored with the author's continual name-dropping, both of other speculative fiction writers that he obviously favors, or rock bands it is implied he listens to. This last habit in particular seemed contrived, serving more to announce the author's own "hipness" than any other purpose, and, at one point, unintentionally reveals De Lint's lack of actual knowledge or involvement with the music he associates himself with--the identification of Led Zeppelin with progressive rock is hardly a reference designed to establish the author's musical credibility.

Nonetheless, there is much here to admire, and the inventiveness with which the author approaches establishing his urban fantasy is imaginative and refreshing. I am sure there are many who, tired of the standard swords and sorcery, will find this book both original and enjoyable. And, if the author's abrupt and peripatetic style of composition is not distracting, you will certainly discover worlds of wonder and richness. However, personally I prefer a story with a bit more meat on the bones, and without the ribs showing.

Rating:
Summary: Scattered and empty
Review: Caitlin Midhir is a popular author of fantasy novels, but unlike most writers she actually has an answer to the frequently-asked question, "where do you get your ideas?" When she sleeps, Cat travels to a place she calls Otherworld, where the characters in her stories are real, and so she makes her living off the tales she brings back. That is, until a creature called Lysistratus -- a psychic vampire who feeds on dreams -- is attracted by the vivid nature of Cat's and steals them away. She may lose more than a source of income as a result.

YARROW's story is scattered among a cast that is larger than it needs to be, giving background on those characters that has little relevance, and generating subplots that never come to fruition, while the book's antagonist goes sadly underdeveloped. As a result, events that are important have little impact. The story doesn't really get off the ground until the final few chapters and even then, barely so. In the end, nothing particularly interesting happens. This isn't just a light read; it's hardly there at all.

Rating:
Summary: Scattered and empty
Review: Caitlin Midhir is a popular author of fantasy novels, but unlike most writers she actually has an answer to the frequently-asked question, "where do you get your ideas?" When she sleeps, Cat travels to a place she calls Otherworld, where the characters in her stories are real, and so she makes her living off the tales she brings back. That is, until a creature called Lysistratus -- a psychic vampire who feeds on dreams -- is attracted by the vivid nature of Cat's and steals them away. She may lose more than a source of income as a result.

YARROW's story is scattered among a cast that is larger than it needs to be, giving background on those characters that has little relevance, and generating subplots that never come to fruition, while the book's antagonist goes sadly underdeveloped. As a result, events that are important have little impact. The story doesn't really get off the ground until the final few chapters and even then, barely so. In the end, nothing particularly interesting happens. This isn't just a light read; it's hardly there at all.

Rating:
Summary: Another good yarn from Charles de Lint
Review: Cat Midhir is an author with a secret: she bases her novels on tales told to her by Elves and Gnomes she visits in an Otherworld she accesses whenever she dreams. One problem: she has suddenly stopped dreaming (and therefore stopped writing). An ancient being, Lysistratus, is a vampire-type creature who feeds on the dreams and souls of others in order to gain sustenance, pleasure, and immortality. While Lysistratus occasionally feeds on others, he covets the dreams of Cat Midhir because of their vibrance and realism. Cat, who has always been a shy recluse who favors her dream-friends over reality, is forced to find friends and allies who will help her defeat Lysistratus, who eventually learns of Cat's Otherworld and wants to drain it dry as well. The outcome is up in the air until the very end, and even then does not reach one hundred percent closure.

Many de Lint stories have slow beginnings, as they require the laying of considerable groundwork (introducing numerous characters and sub-plots to be woven together). "Yarrow" is one of the more extreme examples of this pattern. A score of different characters are thrown at the reader, with each having his/her own little story, and many of these characters and stories seem totally unconnected with the others. If the reader is patient, however, Charles de Lint does manage to pull all of these scattered threads together and weave quite a story. "Yarrow" does not have the depth and cultural richness of "Forests of the Heart", "Svaha", or "Someplace to be Flying", but is still a good piece of imaginative writing that takes the reader somewhere that is simultaneously very ordinary and very alien.

Four stars might be a little low, but four-and-a-half is not available and five is too high, in comparison to stories like "Svaha" or "Someplace to be Flying".

Rating:
Summary: Slow, Confusing Start, But Great Last Three-Quarters
Review: Cat Midhir is an author with a secret: she bases her novels on tales told to her by Elves and Gnomes she visits in an Otherworld she accesses whenever she dreams. One problem: she has suddenly stopped dreaming (and therefore stopped writing). An ancient being, Lysistratus, is a vampire-type creature who feeds on the dreams and souls of others in order to gain sustenance, pleasure, and immortality. While Lysistratus occasionally feeds on others, he covets the dreams of Cat Midhir because of their vibrance and realism. Cat, who has always been a shy recluse who favors her dream-friends over reality, is forced to find friends and allies who will help her defeat Lysistratus, who eventually learns of Cat's Otherworld and wants to drain it dry as well. The outcome is up in the air until the very end, and even then does not reach one hundred percent closure.

Many de Lint stories have slow beginnings, as they require the laying of considerable groundwork (introducing numerous characters and sub-plots to be woven together). "Yarrow" is one of the more extreme examples of this pattern. A score of different characters are thrown at the reader, with each having his/her own little story, and many of these characters and stories seem totally unconnected with the others. If the reader is patient, however, Charles de Lint does manage to pull all of these scattered threads together and weave quite a story. "Yarrow" does not have the depth and cultural richness of "Forests of the Heart", "Svaha", or "Someplace to be Flying", but is still a good piece of imaginative writing that takes the reader somewhere that is simultaneously very ordinary and very alien.

Four stars might be a little low, but four-and-a-half is not available and five is too high, in comparison to stories like "Svaha" or "Someplace to be Flying".

Rating:
Summary: Not up to par
Review: De Lint came quite recommended by those promoting urban fantasy as an alternative to the Tolkienesque, but in truth, this came as quite a disappointment. This story and its characters lack any serious development. In the first eight pages of text, de Lint introduces Caitlin Midhir, Albert Cousins, Peter Baird, Ben Summerfield, Mick Jennings, Becki Bones, Debbie Mitchell, Andy Barnes, Farley O'Dennehy, Stella Sidney, and Rick Kirby. In eight pages, it simply can't be done with any depth. The reader ends up having to write down a list of names with an attribute tacked onto it just to keep them straight. Level of detail problems continue to plague the book, with mentions of rock groups, streets, and authors reading more like name-dropping or list-making than substance. It ends up feeling empty, like the bare bones of a story. I think those recommending this are more in love with the idea of moving beyond the limitations (and imitations) of Tolkien than they are in telling a good tale. In many ways, this is not quite up to the literary standards of Terry Goodkind, who, with all his trite stereotypes, also fails to be a fantasy master, but he's at least a storyteller with excellent pacing.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book.
Review: Glad this has been reprinted at last for all those who missed the first edition (in the '80s). You will reach a certain point, beyond which you will feel compelled to finish the book without stopping. I loved it.

Rating:
Summary: This is my all time favorite book!!
Review: I don't usually re-read books. This is an exception! The story takes you away and reminds you of dreams and ambitions you may have set aside. I give this book to everyone I know who can read!! even those who don't like fantasy! I'm a de Lint fan, although I wouldn't recommend all of his books - there's no hesitation with Yarrow. I'm thrilled it's been reprinted.

Rating:
Summary: Astonishing...a Master at work
Review: I loved 'Yarrow'. It's far and away one of the most magical books I've ever read. Being the first de Lint book I've ever read, it's served to introduce me to one of the modern masters of fantasy admirably.

'Yarrow' is exciting and fluid from beginning to end. It'll have you on the edge of your seat. The characters are wholly believable and fascinating people.

De Lint doesn't shy away from darkness and evil characters. The book is littered with profanities, semi-graphic love scenes and gruesome slayings.

It's a good book, it's near the top of my all-time favorites list and I'm so glad that Orb brought it back into print. This is a book that every self-proclaimed fantasy fan needs to read.