Waifs and Strays

by Charles de Lint, Terri Windling (Introduction)

From one of the fantasy genre's greatest trailblazers, Waifs and Strays is a must-read. 

Charles de Lint's remarkable novels and shorter fiction are, in a very real sense, coming of age stories. Here, for the first time, is a collection of his stories for teen and adult readers alike. From the streets of his famed Newford to the alleys of Bordertown to the realms of Faerie, this is storytelling that will transfix and delight, with characters who will linger in the mind, many of them from his 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.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Short Stories, Fiction, Young Adult, Anthologies, Science Fiction Fantasy

391 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2002

About the author

Charles de Lint is the much beloved author of more than seventy adult, young adult, and children's books. Renowned as one of the trailblazers of the modern fantasy genre, he is the recipient of the World Fantasy, Aurora, Sunburst, and White Pine awards, among others. Modern Library's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century poll, conducted by Random House and voted on by readers, put eight of de Lint's books among the top 100.
De Lint is a poet, folklorist, artist, songwriter and performer. He has written critical essays, music reviews, opinion columns and entries to encyclopedias, and he's been the main book reviewer for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1987. De Lint served as Writer-in-residence for two public libraries in Ottawa and has taught creative writing workshops for adults and children in Canada and the United States. He's been a judge for several prominent awards, including the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon and Bram Stoker.

Born in the Netherlands in 1951, de Lint immigrated to Canada with his family as an infant. The family moved often during de Lint's childhood because of his father's job with an international surveying company, but by the time Charles was twelve—having lived in Western Canada, Turkey and Lebanon—they had settled in Lucerne, Quebec, not far from where he now resides in Ottawa, Ontario.

In 1980, de Lint married the love of his life, MaryAnn Harris, who works closely with him as his first editor, business manager and creative partner. They share their love and home with a cheery little dog named Johnny Cash.

Charles de Lint is best described as a romantic: a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His skilled portrayal of character and settings has earned him a loyal readership and glowing praise from peers, reviewers and readers.

Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
—Holly Black (bestselling author)
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
—Alice Hoffman (bestselling author)

To read de Lint is to fall under the spell of a master storyteller, to be reminded of the greatness of life, of the beauty and majesty lurking in shadows and empty doorways.
—Quill & Quire

His Newford books, which make up most of de Lint's body of work between 1993 and 2009, confirmed his reputation for bringing a vivid setting and repertory cast of characters to life on the page. Though not a consecutive series, the twenty-five standalone books set in (or connected to) Newford give readers a feeling of visiting a favourite city and seeing old friends.
More recently, his young adult Wildlings trilogy—Under My Skin, Over My Head, and Out of This World—came out from Penguin Canada and Triskell Press in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Under My Skin won 2013 Aurora Award. A novel for middle-grade readers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, published by Little Brown in 2013, won the Sunburst Award, earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire, and was chosen by the New York Times Editors as one of the top six children's books for 2013. His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace (2009), is a fascinating ghost story about love, passion and faith. It was a finalist for both the Sunburst and Evergreen awards.

De Lint is presently writing a new adult novel. His storytelling skills also shine in his original songs. He and MaryAnn (also a musician) recently released companion CDs of their original songs, samples of which can be heard on de Lin

Reviews

[Beth Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do I go so long between readings of de Lint's works? Every time I pick up one of his books, I'm quickly left in awe of his style, depth, and imagination. Waifs and Strays was no exception. This is a book that is about teenagers, but is by no means a book simply for that audience. The stories explore some of his familiar settings like Newford and Bordertown, and to other places entirely. There are some definite themes--the title makes the foremost one clear, as this is a novel's worth of tales about waifs and strays--and also often returns to themes like music and art, and compassion even amid dreadful circumstances. I had read a couple of these stories before, I think, but it has been several years, so everything felt fresh.

I hold tremendous respect for de Lint. If my own work can be compared to his someday, I will consider that the highest praise.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of sixteen stories that showcase the many worlds of de Lint, not just his Newford stories. It's listed as a YA collection, but the stories feature some young characters, and the book is great for all ages... said the weird old geezer. The first section, Tamson House, has just one story, but it is a terrific one (except maybe for the ponderous title: Merlin Dreams in the Mondream Wood) and sets the tone for the fine fantasies to come. The second section is Ottawa and the Valley and some of the stories could easily have been called Newfords and no one would have noticed a difference. The first two stories in the section were my favorites, seeming as they do to be homages to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but the others are good, too... Fairy Dust is a fun magic book tale, A Wish Named Arnold is a fun fable, and Wooden Bones is a cool music fantasy. The third section was my least favorite, Otherworlds: Past and Future. I didn't really care for either of the two stories included there. The next section was Bordertown and contains two stories that de Lint wrote for that series of shared-world original anthologies. Both were new to me as I had never gotten around to trying a Bordertown book even though I've read good things about them for years. I enjoyed them both, Stick and May This Be Your Last Sorrow, very much, and will make an effort to read more Bordertown. The final section is Newford, of course, and includes half a dozen very good stories. My favorites were those featuring Maisie, but they're all good ones, though Somewhere in My Mind There Is a Painting Box doesn't strike me as a Newford so much as an Appalachian fantasy. The book has a nice Terri Windling introduction, and de Lint offers insights and notes to each story. The volume serves as a grand introduction to his work.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

♦Merlin Dreams in the Mondream Wood 7/13/2016
♦There's No Such Thing RE-read 7/29/2015
♦Sisters RE-read 7/27/2015
♦Fairy Dust 4/23/2017
♦ A Wish Named Arnold 6/23/2015
♦ Wooden Bones RE-read 7/10/2015
♦The Graceless Child RE-read 7/27/2015
♦A Tattoo on Her Heart 04/21/2017
♦Stick 6/23/2015
♦May This Be Your Last Sorrow 4/26/2017
♦One Chance re-read 7/4/2015
♦Alone 4/26/2017
♦But for the Grace Go I RE-read 7/29/2015
♦Ghosts of Wind and Shadow 8/12/2000 REread 11/10/2006 RE-REread 7/20/2015
♦ Waifs and Stray 10/11/2000
♦Somewhere in My Mind There Is a Painting Box 4/27/2017

[Kim Kaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I save Charles deLint for very special times. I tore through many of his books when I first discovered him, but I slowed down and began to savor him as the number of unread books diminished. I now read one of his books as Christmas Eve blends into Christmas morning, the starting of it a treat to continue through the days as a reward for all the work I do for my family each Christmas. My dreams are magical as I walk with the citizens of Newford and other magical places. The man is an international treasure.

[PurplyCookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mythic fiction is at its best in this anthology of stories of memorable heroines, rooted not in a secondary world but in an urban environment. The author introduces each selection, providing insight and interesting biographical information.

I was very excited to get a hold of this one, since I've always seen de Lint's name among the fantasy anthologies I've read, such as "The Green Man" but I'm not ready to invest in his novels yet. This collection was a perfect opportunity for anyone to be introduced to his work and i must say that I wasn't disappointed.

Wonderfully enjoyable entertainment, and extremely well-written, this book's short stories delve into a world each of their own. Magic, deception, and good versus evil all collide to form a well blended book of short stories. Each story has its own individuality and strength, with its own set of unique characters. It's made up of 16 stories with only a couple of misses, usually the longer ones.

Elements of Robin Hood, Merlin, Native American mythology, and Celtic music weave through each story. Some of the heroines are humans who briefly tiptoe into a magical realm or are skeptical about its existence. De Lint's characters are often lonely and intelligent misfits whose self-discovery triumphs over plot. Described as "urban fantasy," these stories represent a hybrid genre for readers who only want one arm through the door into another world.


Book Details:

Title Waifs and Strays
Author Charles de Lint
Reviewed By Purplycookie

[Evonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable! Easy to pick up and put down. Great for those times when you have a half hour to fill. The short introductions to the stories are personal and relevant and help put the stories into context. Somehow as I was reading I was thinking about how I would've written this, or how I might spin off it, or how I could get into some aspect of it. I'm half interested now in creating my own little world and writing about who I discover there...

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enchanting book is made up of bits and pieces of Charles de Lint's many worlds of fantasy...from Newford to those Worlds in Our Minds. It was a lovely, engaging way to spend a few cold evenings, curled up with hot cider, a fire in the fireplace, and a purring cat on my lap. I hated to finish it, quite frankly. And I must find The Borderlands books!

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection of unique, captivating, and varied tales. 4 stars

TAMSON HOUSE ****
Merlin Dreams in the Mondream Wood * * * * *
In this delightful tale, a young girl remembers fondly her old friend, in the tree, in the garden, in the center of her home. A promising introduction (for me) to this author!

OTTAWA AND THE VALLEY ****
There's No Such Thing * * *
Apparently, Sisters (the work that brought Charles de Lint to my attention) was a sequel to this story. I quite like these sisters!

Sisters * * * *
An interesting story about sisters, and whether they will let vampirism come between them.

Fairy Dust * * *
Last poignant story of what happens when you try to keep a fairy.

A Wish Named Arnold * * * * *
A wish takes form...

Wooden Bones * * * *
A troubled city girl meets an unusual creature in a country barn.

OTHERWORLDS: PAST AND FUTURE ***
The Graceless Child * * * * *
A trow's halfling encounters powerful brothers

A Tattoo on Her Heart * * *
Odd. Revels of wished for past in the disillusioned present.

BORDERTOWN ***
Stick * * *
A loner saves a stray...

May This Be Your Last Sorrow * * *
A lonely girl tells her story to her only "friend."

NEWFORD: IN AND OUT OF THE CITY ***
One Chance * * *
Two lonely kids have to make a choice. The boy's choice is easier, and the girl's is more reasoned and considerate than I would have expected.

Alone * * *
Another surprising choice after the girl tries to solve the death of a boy who fell off the edge.

But for the Grace Go I * *
Another of his more dark stories. A homeless girl figures a few things out.

Ghosts of Wind and Shadow * * *
A young girl starts to see the Fey, but it concerns her mother.

Waifs and Strays * * *
A second story about the formerly-homeless Maisie struggling to find balance in her new life. Will she be able to find time for those who matter most?

Somewhere in My Mind There Is a Painting Box * * * *
Lily meets a lost naturalist in her forest. Then they both have decisions about which road to take next...

[Max · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent collection of stories. There are stories from DeLint's various major settings and characters, all of which prove to be fairly interesting. The two stories about vampires are especially good. I sought out this collection specifically to read them again and they are just as good as I remember. The Bordertown stuff was good and has reminded me I need to read the early anthologies in that series. The Newford stories were especially enjoyable. The characters were all well written and it was fun to see small references to different people and places show up in different stories. There's a general focus on the magic of music and art and creativity in general here, and that's something I absolutely love. "Ghosts of Wind and Shadow" is one of my favorites from this collection because it has such important things to say about music. There's also a focus on depicting characters who have troubled pasts, and often troubled presents as well. This could feel a little repetitive at times, but all of these characters were well written and felt like real people, and so I was able to tolerate a degree of similarity in general character concepts. This is advertised as a good introduction to DeLint's work and I have to say it admirably succeed for me. I already have four different books by him that I want to read thanks to this collection. This has definitely become a new favorite book, and I'm optimistic that DeLint will prove to become a favorite author.

[#ReadAllTheBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first real brush with Charles de Lint's work and I have to say, I'm hooked. He has this way of telling a story that really immerses you in whatever he has to tell and making you really want to care about what happens next.

There are several great stories in here, although I'll admit that I liked some more than others. I absolutely loved the one about a wish with its own identity and personality. It was really well written and helps show exactly why some of the things would unfold the way they did. Others, such as the stories about vampirism and sisterhood, give off a sense of melancholy and a little bit of hope.

Waifs and Strays had been listed in the teen section of my local used bookstore, but I'd really say that any age can read these stories and identify with them. Maybe as adults you might be further away from your teen years than you'd like, but de Lint has a way of making these characters so easily related to that just about anyone can sink into them.

I'd absolutely recommend this collection to any fan of urban fantasy. There's a good reason that this book won an award and why de Lint is so well loved. Sure, there will always be people who won't like a collection or author for one reason or another, but this is one of those collections that will be a fairly safe bet for most readers.

[Jonathan Forisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading Charles de Lint. He is splendid.

The stories all have to deal with girl protagonists around the age of 16, and therein lies the collection's biggest problem. With all of the main characters being so similar in age and sometimes even situation, once I was nearing the end of the collection I found myself having a hard time differentiating between the characters of the various stories. It started almost to feel like a novel and that each story was just a separate event in this girl's life.

HOWEVER, de Lint addresses this in his introduction and even says that it was kind of the theme for the collection, so I forgive him. Plus the stories are great.

The first few were well written and interesting but failed to grab me the way I wanted this revered author to do. There were two following sisters, one of which is a vampire, and de Lint says it's a bit of an homage to Buffy. That's all good and fun but I wanted something more.

Then I got to the Borderlands stories and I began to understand de Lint's reputation. "Stick" is a great story, followed by many other great stories. It's a very interesting collection, providing a good introduction to de Lint's extensive Newford world, and all in all it was a very entertaining read.

[Nicole (Reading Books With Coffee) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect with Waifs And Strays, but I liked it more than I was expecting.

I really liked the elements of fantasy and myth and how well he blended them with the real world. I also liked how the main characters were all teens. Towards the end, they all started to blend together because they all seemed pretty similar to each other. And this was after reading a couple stories at a time. Since this book is short stories, it's easy to have a couple other books going on at the same time, because you can read a couple at a time.

With any collection of short stories, you're not going to like everything, which is the case with Waifs And Strays. There were a few that were a little bit too long (like Sisters and Stick, to name a couple) but there were a few I liked (like Merlin Dreams In The Mondream Wood and Ghosts Of Wind And Shadow).

I did like the imagery and I could visualize everything so well. I've never read Charles de Lint before, so this really is a good introduction to his work. I don't think I'm interested enough to read his other stuff.

I honestly have nothing else to add. I liked it, but oddly enough, it's also not my cup of tea. Waifs And Strays gets 3 stars.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Charles De Lint!

Have you ever wondered what happened to all the magic in the world? where did all the mythical creatures go? and why? Well if you open up this book serious open up this book you will find out!

To start with i will say i just love De Lint he is an exceptional writer and his stories hold an imagery that is rare in writers. good ones anyway
Waifs and strays is a wonderful collection of 'De Lint’s' short stories that are based around where he lives in Ottawa, to his imaginary world of Newford. The characters are varied with their own personas and different characteristics that make everyone you meet on this journey unique.
The best thing about this book is the tiny pieces of magic that each story holds. De Lint has created a magical world based around our time and dimension. Now don’t get confused he does NOT do sci-fi. De Lint is a powerful urban fantasy writer with HEAPS of books (like 50-ish)

Don’t judge this book by its cover because the insides are magical fantastic.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it was because of all the praise on the book calling Charles de Lint the best modern fantasy writer, but I was kind of severely disappointed. Which is not to say that I didn't enjoy the stories. There were some great parts, and even though I occasionally felt like the stories were dragging on (probably a side effect of reading The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God right before this...I got used to reading two-page short stories) they were for the most part memorable and engaging. Sometimes the writing annoyed me by being overly simplistic and repetitive, and fantasy stories that rely too heavily on contemporary settings are not my cup of tea to begin with, so I can't say that I loved these stories. But I appreciate all the research and effort that he put into them, and the fact that he is so thorough in creating his worlds.

[Erinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

De Lint's books are hit or miss with me, this book is a hit. I just adore his short stories and they always leave me wanting to read more about every single character he writes about.

You know how some authors can't really get away with writing the opposite gender? Not the case with de Lint. It doesn't make a difference with him if he's writing from a female character's point of view or a male's.


I also enjoy being able to read the author's asides at the beginning of the book and at the beginning of each story. One such aside has given birth to a new bookshelf on my Goodreads, "mythic fiction", it's how Charles de Lint describes his writing and I think it's very fitting. To be quite honest, though I may not have coined the phrase "urban fantasy" I did come up with the term before I ever heard anyone else use it, and it was from reading Dreams Underfoot.

[Indrani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing I like about short story collections is that I don't have to read them all in one go. I can pick up the book , read a tale or two, go read another book, come back... This has been very useful while I am in the midst of tackling a couple of much more dry books for work.

Waifs and Strays is a wonderfully rambling retrospective of DeLint's work, spanning work from Tamson House, to Ottawa, to Newford in terms of settings. All of the stories involve younger characters, and while I like Jilly Coppercorn, it was kind of nice not to really see her at all. The author's notes before stories put them into time and place, but could be easily skipped without losing anything (no "ten pages of The Author Telling You How Great He Is").

Overall, a pleasant read.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles De Lint, in my mind, is what Stephen King is to the horror genre. De Lint is accredited to being the creator of the Urban Fantasy genre, and he seems to renowned in this area.

Waifs and Strays is a short story collection full of wonderful stories about a variety of things ranging from a hippie girl freeing Merlin from a tree, a girl how finds a fairy in a jar, and a story of two sisters, alienated from the world because of their vampirism. (this perhaps is my favorite.) Each story is astoundingly full of charm and warmth and leaves the reader feeling enchanted and wanting more.

Well done, Mr. De Lint. Well done.

[Alex Tray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories are sometimes hard to translate, but de Lint gives adequate context to these sketches of characters and stories. If you're curious about his writing process, this is a great study into his thought and progression.

As to the stories themselves, the ones that have a sense of completion and narrative are wonderful. The others are, as I've mentioned, more like sketches that are leading towards a bigger idea not quite articulated, yet. However, since the stories are about teenagers, they may hold greater resonance for that age group. It's a great sampler of de Lint's work and it makes me want to read The Onion Girl, which is his most supreme work.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the good de Lint books. :) This one is a collection of stories about kids (mostly teens) that he wrote for various collections. Some of them have been reprinted in other collections, but most of them were new to me, and I enjoyed them all. Some were better than others, but most of them stuck with me, and showed what a great storyteller de Lint is. Included are some random stories, some Newford stories, the seven sisters stories, and (entertainingly) a couple of vampire stories he wrote for a supernatural story collection. It was a lot fo fun to read!

[DeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles de Lint is a treasure for fantasy readers. The patriarch of urban fantasy, his prose in this collection of short stories enraptures the reader and draws them into the often tragic stories of his protagonists. de Lint writes about the outcasts, and tells modern folk stories without pathos or pity, while reminding the reader that these lost children are everywhere, and most of them aren't lucky enough to find the Trickster, or the key to happiness, or even an escape. I found myself profoundly moved by the stories in this book.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

De Lint's endings have a way of feeling too pat at times - all in all, though, I really enjoyed this collection and liked the way the stories put magic into the world and made me feel comforted, even though they were oftentimes about down and out people making the best of things. I really like that de Lint is a musician writing about music - especially old folk tunes. So even though the endings are neat, the characters are struggling with complex personal problems in a fascinating environment, and that's why the stories aren't duds.

[Amanda Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

As if de Lint could do any wrong by me with his short story collection, which delicately weave their way throughout the pages, intertwining within each other in unexpected places and bringing the lives of the characters together, whether they are aware of their connections or not. With this we the readers can look at Newford as omnipotent gods, knowingly smiling at the interconnectedness of that fantasy world, and pondering the similarities to our own.

[Shannon Shires · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a compilation of short stories this was good. Charles de Lint never disappoints me and I say that as some one who has been disappointed a good deal lately when picking up new books. With many of the stories I was left wanting more but that is the problem with short stories. Though it has been years since I read any of his other works I was able to slip easily into his worlds and recognize many old friends. Charles de Lint always gives his all to his writing and I appreciate that.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading any of de Lint's work, and while I enjoyed it, I felt that the difference in writing style varied a bit too much for me. The stories came from all points in the author's timeline, and that messed with the flow a little. Still, the stories were entertaining, and a few of them really hit home with the characters. What I loved most about the writing was de Lint's beautiful way with imagery.

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering that it's been quite some time since I read most of the stories in this collection, it's surprising how quickly they came back to me as I dove in. That's the magic of Charles De Lint's writing, though, since he makes his stories instantly engaging and memorable with fully developed characters, intricate narration, and strong plots and themes. I really need to revisit his work more often, since it always brings some joy back into my life.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

de Lint can be hit or miss for me. This particular collection is a hit - I read all of them, and liked all of them. Notable on this read...probably, 'A Wish Named Arnold', because I love the idea of wishes, how they really work and how this one turned out; 'Stick', because I really like the Bordertown world; 'But for the Grace Go I', because it reminds me that the definition of success is subjective.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories is delightful. I nearly put it down after the first story when I realized it was written for the young adult audience, but I'm glad I didn't. It is filled with magic in modern forums. You can't help but become enraptured with De Lint's characters and style. I especially enjoyed his "Bordertown" stories. I will definitely read one of De Lint's novels for adults now.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantasy short story succeed much better than SF ones do, and de Lint is one of the best urban fantasy writers around. He's got an outsider's perspective and writes about the misfits, the broken kids, and their counterparts in the faerie world. Really ace, so you should check some of his stuff out.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of various short stories from the different worlds that the author writes in- Bordertown, Newford, and a few others. Sometimes the magic is obvious- sometimes it’s in the subtle connection between friends… but the magic is always there. I love the way that the stories transport me from our solid reality into a more fluid dream- just the way a fantasy should.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of fantasy stories about adolescent women. I'm sort of new to Charles de Lint, and I love what I've read so far, but I don't know if I would recommend this book as a good place to start. While each individual story is wonderful, many have a similar emotions and they seem to run together if you read the stories back-to-back.