Books › Waifs and strays
Waifs and strays
First published 2002 · 394 pages
A heartfelt collection of magical coming-of-age tales that reveals the ancient wonder hidden just beneath the surface of everyday life.
What it feels like
This collection of supernatural tales offers a steady, heartfelt exploration of youth, magic, and the ancient patterns that shape our lives. The mood is enchanting and deeply compassionate, inviting readers to look beneath the surface of the everyday world to find realms of wonder, from city streets to the edges of Faerie. Driven by themes of personal growth, kindness, and interpersonal connection, the stories capture the poignant transition of coming of age. The prose is evocative and illuminating, treating its teenage protagonists with profound respect and emotional honesty. It is a perfect fit for both young adult and adult readers who delight in urban fantasy that prioritizes emotional resonance, enduring hope, and the transformative power of love.
- Mood
- enchanting
- nostalgic
- atmospheric
- heartfelt
- Tone
- earnest
- hopeful
- compassionate
- wondrous
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- coming of age · hidden magic · interpersonal connection · personal growth · finding one's place
- The writing
- Evocative and illuminating, weaving ancient mythic patterns into the emotional realities of contemporary life.
- The arc
- Moves from the uncertainty of youth toward a profound sense of growth, connection, and the discovery of everyday magic.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave heartfelt, magical coming-of-age tales that blend the supernatural with deep emotional resonance.
About the book
Charles de Lint's remarkable novels and short stories have always been, at heart, about what lies beneath the surface; the ancient patterns we still follow today; and, most of all, the possibility of growth, change, kindness, magic, and love. In a very real sense, they are coming-of-age stories-and his work has always included memorable teenage characters.
Here, at long last, is a collection of his stories about teenagers-a collection for teen and adult readers alike. From the streets of his famed Newford to the alleys of Bordertown to the realms of Faerie, here is storytelling that will transfix and delight, with characters who will linger in the mind-many of them from his acclaimed novels. Featuring an illuminating preface by acclaimed author, anthologist, and critic Terri Windling, Waifs and Strays is a must-own for de Lint fans, and an ideal introduction to his work for newcomers.
"Firebird fantasy"--Spine.
Chiefly a collection of previously published (1986-2001) stories.
Description from Open Library.
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