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Newford #12
Promises to Keep
After Widdershins, I thought I wouldn't write at length about Jilly again. I'd promised one more short story about her for Bill at Subterranean Press, but that would be it. Having left her in a good place at the end of Widdershins, I didn't want to complicate her life yet again, so I planned to set the story earlier in her life, during her first year as a student at Butler University. Except the story grew. I was having too much fun visiting with this younger Jilly, so I asked Bill if I could expand it to a short novel. He agreed, so now I m busily working away on this as-yet-untitled novella. It takes place in 1972 and begins with Jilly getting a surprise visit from an old friend--her only friend--from her runaway days. Interspersed with the main story that leads off from that meeting are flashbacks to pivotal moments in her life: time spent in the Home for Wayward Girls, her life on the street, meeting and working with the Grasso Street Angel, the first time she meets various familiar faces (Geordie, Sophie, etc.), and chronicles how the messed-up street kid she was grew a social conscience, and became the cheerful character we know from later stories. Although the book does deal with some serious subjects, the tone isn't all doom and gloom. And while I hope that those of you familiar with these characters will enjoy this visit with their younger selves, I'm also trying to make it a friendly entry into Newford for new readers. Lastly, I'm delighted to say that Mike Dringenberg--an artist I ve wanted to work with for ages--will be doing the cover. - Charles de Lint
173 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2007
28 people are currently reading
1377 people want to read
About the author
Charles de Lint
446 books3,970 followersCharles 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
April 10, 2008
I still maintain that Charles de Lint is one of my favorite authors, though I've been somewhat disappointed by his work in the past couple of years. What has happened, honestly, is that I've grown to recognize some of the weaknesses in his writing -- a heavy-handedness with exposition, a certain kind of preachyness -- but his stories are still good stories, at the core. The issue here, with Promises to Keep, is that most of this stuff is already known, if you know Jilly from his other novels. Even though he's never come out and said some of this stuff right out, it's all been hinted at in previous novels, so this novel feels fairly repetitive...
February 3, 2020
Въпреки че де Линт е казал достатъчно в анотацията да се изпляскам и аз.
Като качество, сравнено с другите му книги от цикъла, книжката е за три звезди. Ама мен лично успя да ме разреве на два пъти, така че емоционалното петозвездие ни ѝ мърда, 'щото това не ми се беше случвало от "Отело" насам.
Авторът не веднъж е казвал, че вече му е трудно да пише истории за Нюфорд понеже една хубава история изправя героите си пред тежки предизвикателства, а той доста си ги обича и не иска да им причинява подобни работи. За това и тази повест е ретроспективна. Става въпрос за ранните години на Джили - един от най-запомнящите се образи сред десетките в цялата поредица.
В "Обратно на часовника" бяхме свидетели на бруталното ѝ детство, а тук се присяга към не по-малко печалното ѝ юношество. И макар повечето факти да са известни на любителите на книгите за Нюфорт, де Линт пак успява да изненада читателя.
Това което аз видях. Не знам дали самия автор е бил на хероин или някой много, много близък до него човек, но лаконичния език с който щрихова зависимостта, без хиперболизации и мелодрами, прекалено точните думи и метафората, която е основа на сюжета така жигосват запознатите с тая кочина, че направо не е истина.
В края на седемдесетте Джили вече е успяла да се отърси от зависимостите си и да се откъсне от миналото си. Учи, работи и намира качествени приятели. Един ден се появява единствения читав човек от мрачните ѝ години и и предлага да я заведе в свят, където всичко е наглед перфектно. Пребивавайки там, Джили разбира, че повечето хора са отдавна починали, но това не е големия проблем. Преборила се за бъдещето си с много жертви, тя сякаш не може да приеме на готово тази утопия. А явно има и още един проблем свързан с реката, която тече нощем през този прекрасен свят. Въпросът е само, може ли да се върне в нормалния свят някой, веднъж приел даровете на илюзорния.
Като качество, сравнено с другите му книги от цикъла, книжката е за три звезди. Ама мен лично успя да ме разреве на два пъти, така че емоционалното петозвездие ни ѝ мърда, 'щото това не ми се беше случвало от "Отело" насам.
Авторът не веднъж е казвал, че вече му е трудно да пише истории за Нюфорд понеже една хубава история изправя героите си пред тежки предизвикателства, а той доста си ги обича и не иска да им причинява подобни работи. За това и тази повест е ретроспективна. Става въпрос за ранните години на Джили - един от най-запомнящите се образи сред десетките в цялата поредица.
В "Обратно на часовника" бяхме свидетели на бруталното ѝ детство, а тук се присяга към не по-малко печалното ѝ юношество. И макар повечето факти да са известни на любителите на книгите за Нюфорт, де Линт пак успява да изненада читателя.
Това което аз видях. Не знам дали самия автор е бил на хероин или някой много, много близък до него човек, но лаконичния език с който щрихова зависимостта, без хиперболизации и мелодрами, прекалено точните думи и метафората, която е основа на сюжета така жигосват запознатите с тая кочина, че направо не е истина.
В края на седемдесетте Джили вече е успяла да се отърси от зависимостите си и да се откъсне от миналото си. Учи, работи и намира качествени приятели. Един ден се появява единствения читав човек от мрачните ѝ години и и предлага да я заведе в свят, където всичко е наглед перфектно. Пребивавайки там, Джили разбира, че повечето хора са отдавна починали, но това не е големия проблем. Преборила се за бъдещето си с много жертви, тя сякаш не може да приеме на готово тази утопия. А явно има и още един проблем свързан с реката, която тече нощем през този прекрасен свят. Въпросът е само, може ли да се върне в нормалния свят някой, веднъж приел даровете на илюзорния.
June 26, 2016
When I first discovered Charles de Lint, I read a TON of his books, all at once and then when I signed up for Goodreads, I went through and marked what I thought I had read and what I hadn't I put on my TBR pile.
Somewhere along the way, I marked this one as read but left The Onion Girl and Widdershins on my TBR.
Since then, I've discovered that I HAD in fact read the two novels about Jilly. And when I was going through my library to try to get a trade PB copy of all of de Lint's books, I realized I probably hadn't read this book after all.
So, I bought a copy and and while reading it, I'd hit one passage or chapter that made me certain I'd read it, then I'd hit another that made me equally certain I hadn't.
I think part of the problem is that de Lint isn't writing anything really new - he's just fleshing out a part of Jilly's backstory that had already been heavily hinted at in previous works. So, even though it's a new (to me) book, most of the content it contains isn't new to me.
So, 3 stars - not because it isn't good, but mostly because it's the same story we've already been told multiple times.
When I first heard that de Lint wasn't going to write any more Newford books, I was really disappointed because I haven't been as much of a fan of his newer ones set in the desert. But now that I've been returning to the series after a bit of time away from it, I can see that perhaps he was in somewhat of a rut with his Newford books, and I can respect him wanting a change of scene.
Somewhere along the way, I marked this one as read but left The Onion Girl and Widdershins on my TBR.
Since then, I've discovered that I HAD in fact read the two novels about Jilly. And when I was going through my library to try to get a trade PB copy of all of de Lint's books, I realized I probably hadn't read this book after all.
So, I bought a copy and and while reading it, I'd hit one passage or chapter that made me certain I'd read it, then I'd hit another that made me equally certain I hadn't.
I think part of the problem is that de Lint isn't writing anything really new - he's just fleshing out a part of Jilly's backstory that had already been heavily hinted at in previous works. So, even though it's a new (to me) book, most of the content it contains isn't new to me.
So, 3 stars - not because it isn't good, but mostly because it's the same story we've already been told multiple times.
When I first heard that de Lint wasn't going to write any more Newford books, I was really disappointed because I haven't been as much of a fan of his newer ones set in the desert. But now that I've been returning to the series after a bit of time away from it, I can see that perhaps he was in somewhat of a rut with his Newford books, and I can respect him wanting a change of scene.
December 10, 2018
This is a Jilly Coppercorn novel set earlier than her Newford stories that had previously appeared; an origin story, if you will. The main plot point concerns choices that she must make, and since we already know what she was up to in her later years it's a testament to de Lint's literary skill that he maintains a high level of interest and suspense in showing how she arrived at her decisions. His work is almost always of the highest caliber, and he's an unarguable cornerstone of modern fantasy.
July 23, 2019
A new wonderful entry in de Lint's Newford stories and a delightful peek into another chapter in Jilly's (one of my favourite of his Newford characters) past.
May 13, 2022
Mul on üldiselt elus ikkagi plaanis kõik de Linti Newfordi raamatud läbi lugeda, kuigi iga kord, kui mõne ette võtan, on lõpuks ikka pettumus, et oli, mis ta oli, aga "Kusagil lennata" ta ei olnud.
See siin ka... ei olnud. See on Jilly Coppercorni minevikust ja minu jaoks pole Jilly kunagi olnud Newfordi keskne tegelane, sest noh, teda ei ole "Kusagil lennatas" mainitud (ei ole ju ikka? Peaks üle lugema, et kindel olla.) Pealegi rääkis "Onion Girl" Jilly loo juba täitsa piisavalt ära mu meelest.
Aga hubane lugemine on see ikka ja kõigi vähegi tuttavate tegelastega on tore kohtuda ja eks siis Jilly jaoks on ikka väike fantaasiaseiklus ka sisse kirjutatud (ehkki selles pole väga palju pinget, sest me ju teame teiste raamatute põhjal, et kõik lõpeb hästi).
See siin ka... ei olnud. See on Jilly Coppercorni minevikust ja minu jaoks pole Jilly kunagi olnud Newfordi keskne tegelane, sest noh, teda ei ole "Kusagil lennatas" mainitud (ei ole ju ikka? Peaks üle lugema, et kindel olla.) Pealegi rääkis "Onion Girl" Jilly loo juba täitsa piisavalt ära mu meelest.
Aga hubane lugemine on see ikka ja kõigi vähegi tuttavate tegelastega on tore kohtuda ja eks siis Jilly jaoks on ikka väike fantaasiaseiklus ka sisse kirjutatud (ehkki selles pole väga palju pinget, sest me ju teame teiste raamatute põhjal, et kõik lõpeb hästi).
September 30, 2011
4.5 stars actually.
Original review posted at Layers of Thought.
An accessible and life-affirming novella which takes the reader on a trip from the dark stages of addiction and abuse to a kind of whole-ness; set in a realistic and magical setting.
About: Young Jilly Coppercorn, our story's narrator, has not had an easy life. The victim of abuse of various kinds – much of it at the hands of family members - it has been a struggle to stay alive, let alone clean and drug free. Now off the drugs she is turning her life around. Then a good friend, one of her best, turns up and invites her to a concert of sorts. She is a bit worried as this friend is from her old life – her addicted life.
As she steps over doorway into the party she has an unsettling feeling akin to an elevator ride; unbeknownst to her she enters a netherworld. It is very much like our world but in many ways not - as Jilly soon discovers. There she must make a choice to stay in this other realm or to go back to her “real life”. It’s a decision that may help her find and reconcile the darker aspects of herself, the parts she has no desire in accepting.
Thoughts: This is a story set in and around Newford – it is also a realistic fantasy series. The 13th in the set, it is a standalone which features Jilly, one of the Newford series readers’ favorite characters. I can understand why. Jilly is wonderful. She is strong and struggling and imperfect. She isn’t tall, beautiful and waifish but artistic, small and messy. I like that, a lot.
Promises to Keep is dark at times, violent at others, it examines many of the issues experienced by young people (adults too) when trying to get and remain clean, as well as dealing with all sorts of toxic childhood experiences. It is also light and life affirming with a believable perspective from the point of view of a female character, which is impressive. I liked that our main character was more concerned with doing positive things like volunteering at a soup kitchen and a nursing home rather than fixing her hair or boyfriend drama.
This is my second Charles De Lint novel. My first was Yarrow, written in 1986 and read some time in the 90’s, which I count as one of my all time favorites. It was read at a time when I could not digest any fiction at all, which tells you something. In Promises to Keep I had damp eyes at times, laughed too, and said I just loved this book out loud more than once. Highly recommended for anyone who is looking for a change from some of the “kick bottom” urban fantasy out there. It is perfect for those looking for lots of realism in their fantasy, but with a more than a touch of the magical. Perfect for artists, musicians, healers and, most of all, those healing themselves. I give this story a 4.5 stars. Perfect for someone like myself who has not read any of the Newford novels; an excellent introduction I’d say.
Original review posted at Layers of Thought.
An accessible and life-affirming novella which takes the reader on a trip from the dark stages of addiction and abuse to a kind of whole-ness; set in a realistic and magical setting.
About: Young Jilly Coppercorn, our story's narrator, has not had an easy life. The victim of abuse of various kinds – much of it at the hands of family members - it has been a struggle to stay alive, let alone clean and drug free. Now off the drugs she is turning her life around. Then a good friend, one of her best, turns up and invites her to a concert of sorts. She is a bit worried as this friend is from her old life – her addicted life.
As she steps over doorway into the party she has an unsettling feeling akin to an elevator ride; unbeknownst to her she enters a netherworld. It is very much like our world but in many ways not - as Jilly soon discovers. There she must make a choice to stay in this other realm or to go back to her “real life”. It’s a decision that may help her find and reconcile the darker aspects of herself, the parts she has no desire in accepting.
Thoughts: This is a story set in and around Newford – it is also a realistic fantasy series. The 13th in the set, it is a standalone which features Jilly, one of the Newford series readers’ favorite characters. I can understand why. Jilly is wonderful. She is strong and struggling and imperfect. She isn’t tall, beautiful and waifish but artistic, small and messy. I like that, a lot.
Promises to Keep is dark at times, violent at others, it examines many of the issues experienced by young people (adults too) when trying to get and remain clean, as well as dealing with all sorts of toxic childhood experiences. It is also light and life affirming with a believable perspective from the point of view of a female character, which is impressive. I liked that our main character was more concerned with doing positive things like volunteering at a soup kitchen and a nursing home rather than fixing her hair or boyfriend drama.
This is my second Charles De Lint novel. My first was Yarrow, written in 1986 and read some time in the 90’s, which I count as one of my all time favorites. It was read at a time when I could not digest any fiction at all, which tells you something. In Promises to Keep I had damp eyes at times, laughed too, and said I just loved this book out loud more than once. Highly recommended for anyone who is looking for a change from some of the “kick bottom” urban fantasy out there. It is perfect for those looking for lots of realism in their fantasy, but with a more than a touch of the magical. Perfect for artists, musicians, healers and, most of all, those healing themselves. I give this story a 4.5 stars. Perfect for someone like myself who has not read any of the Newford novels; an excellent introduction I’d say.
December 2, 2008
Another installment in the life of Jilly Coppercorn, inhabitant of the wonderful imaginary city of Newford, created by the author Charles de Lint. Previous stories have clued us into Jilly's early life and generally how Jilly's life worked itself out at the end, but this novella fills in a bit of the gap in the middle. This tale originally was supposed to be a short story but went overlong.
I was a little less enchanted with this Newford story than I have been with the others simply because there seemed to be less of that whisper of magic that brings Newford alive and fills me with joy. The only magic part of the story that seemed truly magical involved a character called Juliana...but even that character was stripped down with all the explanatories to seem less magical that she was. Now, being a Charles de Lint story, of course we have interesting characters and interactions but they seemed a bit rushed...a little odd in a short story that stretched into a novella. I am thinking that it really would have taken a novel-length work to truly do justice to the subject, but that perhaps the author did not desire to stretch it quite that far...
I was a little less enchanted with this Newford story than I have been with the others simply because there seemed to be less of that whisper of magic that brings Newford alive and fills me with joy. The only magic part of the story that seemed truly magical involved a character called Juliana...but even that character was stripped down with all the explanatories to seem less magical that she was. Now, being a Charles de Lint story, of course we have interesting characters and interactions but they seemed a bit rushed...a little odd in a short story that stretched into a novella. I am thinking that it really would have taken a novel-length work to truly do justice to the subject, but that perhaps the author did not desire to stretch it quite that far...
May 18, 2011
Promises to Keep was a wonderful first experience with de Lint and left me wanting to explore more of his work. While the book did feel a little drawn out and some of the flashbacks did seem a bit repetitive, it was easy to overlook in favor of de Lint’s superb prose. The story of Jilly Coppercorn is rough and incredibly humbling and the respect with which de Lint treated her life should be noted as it kept him from going over-the-top when he easily could have. The lack of obvious fantasy could make Promises to Keep an easy novel for those who aren’t very fond of the speculative fiction genre. Promises to Keep is one of those rare books that will leave the reader wanting to be a better person.
Read my full review here:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/201...
Read my full review here:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/201...
July 29, 2024
A re-read, but not one I remembered. I love the Newford series. I especially love the richness of the characters in this world. But Jilly is my favorite. For me this series is Jilly's series, even when she's not on stage. This one is kind of a slow burn. It is kind of fun to see Jilly meeting all these other people. But it is not a fast read. But we are in her head. And what is important to her is so clear. The commitments she gives to those she loves. And she kind of loves everyone. Well not everyone, but everyone enough.
December 6, 2018
Good but not great. I love the character Jilly and maybe that's why it wasn't as much fun to read-- this book takes place early in her character arc before she has had her rough edges smoothed and her complex notes discovered.
January 28, 2023
I recently found myself reading De Lint's work for the first time in a long time and finding this Jilly book that I'd never read before was a real treat. I love seeing a younger Jilly and how she found the friends in her life. I don't want to spoil the central story but its about choosing what matters in life and the communities we make. If I'd found this in one of the Newford's collections, it would fit right in. This book could also work as a good introduction to Newford for a new reader as the timing puts it before the other books and introduces everyone. De Lint is one of the best authors for writing about the messiness of life and the hidden magic that's inside it.
May 11, 2011
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
Confession time: This is my first ever Charles de Lint book. And yes, I’m suitably embarrassed that I run a blog called All Things Urban Fantasy and haven’t read the Father of Urban Fantasy. In my defense, I discovered the genre through Buffy, and it was quite a while before I even heard about Charles de Lint. My ignorance excuse ran out a long time ago, but I still shied away because once I understood exactly who de Lint was and what he means to this genre, I was terribly afraid I wouldn’t like his books and that would mean my UF love was really a sham.
My fear was 100% unfounded.
As I said, PROMISES TO KEEP was my first visit to Newford, but I never once felt like I’d missed something. Jilly Coppercorn, "the heart and soul of Newford” according to her creator, has been working hard at keeping her life together and putting a past that included physical and sexual abuse, drugs, and prostitution behind her. De Lint weaves episodes from Jilly’s past throughout the narrative at the exact moments I began to wonder. He gave me every piece of the puzzle I needed precisely when I needed it to understand Jill and the journey that brought her to where she was. Jilly is the perfect example of a character who you root for. One of the most damaged characters I’ve ever encountered, yet I was completely engaged in her story.
Glancing over de Lint’s website, I learned just how numerous and varied the creatures who populate Newford are, but in PROMISES TO KEEP, there really aren’t any. As one reviewer on Goodreads put it, “there seemed to be less of that whisper of magic that brings Newford alive and fills me with joy.” Instead, it’s the place that is the fantasy, and I’m not even talking about Newford, which comes off as nearly completely mundane. Mireya is the magical city in this book, but in a very subtle way. In fact, I would describe it as more lucky than magical.
For my first foray into Newford, I found PROMISES TO KEEP to be a strong character driven tale with the barest hint of magic, but with an easy going narrative style that forced the pages to fly and made me long for my next visit. If you have yet to try a Charles de Lint book, now’s the time. He’s the father of urban fantasy for a reason.
Sexual Content:
References to child molestation and prostitution.
Confession time: This is my first ever Charles de Lint book. And yes, I’m suitably embarrassed that I run a blog called All Things Urban Fantasy and haven’t read the Father of Urban Fantasy. In my defense, I discovered the genre through Buffy, and it was quite a while before I even heard about Charles de Lint. My ignorance excuse ran out a long time ago, but I still shied away because once I understood exactly who de Lint was and what he means to this genre, I was terribly afraid I wouldn’t like his books and that would mean my UF love was really a sham.
My fear was 100% unfounded.
As I said, PROMISES TO KEEP was my first visit to Newford, but I never once felt like I’d missed something. Jilly Coppercorn, "the heart and soul of Newford” according to her creator, has been working hard at keeping her life together and putting a past that included physical and sexual abuse, drugs, and prostitution behind her. De Lint weaves episodes from Jilly’s past throughout the narrative at the exact moments I began to wonder. He gave me every piece of the puzzle I needed precisely when I needed it to understand Jill and the journey that brought her to where she was. Jilly is the perfect example of a character who you root for. One of the most damaged characters I’ve ever encountered, yet I was completely engaged in her story.
Glancing over de Lint’s website, I learned just how numerous and varied the creatures who populate Newford are, but in PROMISES TO KEEP, there really aren’t any. As one reviewer on Goodreads put it, “there seemed to be less of that whisper of magic that brings Newford alive and fills me with joy.” Instead, it’s the place that is the fantasy, and I’m not even talking about Newford, which comes off as nearly completely mundane. Mireya is the magical city in this book, but in a very subtle way. In fact, I would describe it as more lucky than magical.
For my first foray into Newford, I found PROMISES TO KEEP to be a strong character driven tale with the barest hint of magic, but with an easy going narrative style that forced the pages to fly and made me long for my next visit. If you have yet to try a Charles de Lint book, now’s the time. He’s the father of urban fantasy for a reason.
Sexual Content:
References to child molestation and prostitution.
March 12, 2009
I spent a great deal of time being angry at Mr. de Lint for introducing me to a Jilly that's completely wrong. And while I'm still miffed at him for jilting me, I'll forgive and forget for long enough to dive into the city of Mireya. A mysterious fantasyland in the afterlife, Mireya is the place where milk and honey flow. It's a place where you get what you deserve and all the sweetness of life rains down on you. But does Jilly really, I mean REALLY, want to stay???
Duh. Of course not. After all, there are volumes about her life in later years knowing she's alive and well in Newford. And that's the thing that makes this book kinda dull. You already know the ending. However... The story is interesting enough, and if nothing else, it's neat to learn more about Kathryn's--I had no idea they served booze and had comfy couches!!! I wanna work there with Wendy and Jilly. Anyway, I'm just rambling now. There's really not much else to say. The book is fine but not fab. Newford lovers, don't get your hopes up. Everyone else, this book is a lovely piece of stand-alone urban fantasy, and it's short enough to zip through if this genre is one you've been wating to explore.
Duh. Of course not. After all, there are volumes about her life in later years knowing she's alive and well in Newford. And that's the thing that makes this book kinda dull. You already know the ending. However... The story is interesting enough, and if nothing else, it's neat to learn more about Kathryn's--I had no idea they served booze and had comfy couches!!! I wanna work there with Wendy and Jilly. Anyway, I'm just rambling now. There's really not much else to say. The book is fine but not fab. Newford lovers, don't get your hopes up. Everyone else, this book is a lovely piece of stand-alone urban fantasy, and it's short enough to zip through if this genre is one you've been wating to explore.
April 26, 2009
I enjoyed this book, although I would say it's more like looking at an old photo album with the Newford characters, especially Jilly, than anything else. I am glad he left Jilly in a good place at the end of Widdershins and this isn't a "new" story of her life. Like others, I found the city the most intriguing character in the book. Although not "fantasy", read "The Brief History of the Dead" for similar after-death city stories.
March 15, 2008
Interesting, this book just seemed like a way to continue a story line from another book, "Widdershins". It didn't have enough tension as a stand alone book.
June 28, 2023
According to the giant book store online - I purchased this book in December of 2011. Along with the book I purchased a bunch of coffee table books for Christmas presents; the first season of Merlin on DVD; and a book on Audrey Hepburn. Other than wrapping the presents I did nothing with any of my purchases except to place them on the appropriate shelves.
Somebody made a convincing argument for me to buy the book. Why oh why did I wait to read it???
It was truly amazing!
Sure, this is a fantastical book. Additionally, it is also a thought-provoking book.
It is a book about both choices and promises.
I was just listening to a song by Shannon Curfman: I Don’t Make Promises (I Can’t Break). If you read this book you will find out if Jilly Coppercorn comes from the same school of thought as Shannon Curfman.
If you find somebody who has also read this book you could get a few bottles of wine and some take out pizza and talk for hours about what you would have done in the same situation.
As this is my first Charles De Lint book I can’t say if all his books are like this one was but I had no idea is was book number 12 in a series till I was done. It was so well written I did not wonder once about anything that was written. I was not lost at all.
With that being said I know I’m going back to book one and I cannot wait!
Somebody made a convincing argument for me to buy the book. Why oh why did I wait to read it???
It was truly amazing!
Sure, this is a fantastical book. Additionally, it is also a thought-provoking book.
It is a book about both choices and promises.
I was just listening to a song by Shannon Curfman: I Don’t Make Promises (I Can’t Break). If you read this book you will find out if Jilly Coppercorn comes from the same school of thought as Shannon Curfman.
If you find somebody who has also read this book you could get a few bottles of wine and some take out pizza and talk for hours about what you would have done in the same situation.
As this is my first Charles De Lint book I can’t say if all his books are like this one was but I had no idea is was book number 12 in a series till I was done. It was so well written I did not wonder once about anything that was written. I was not lost at all.
With that being said I know I’m going back to book one and I cannot wait!
August 29, 2017
Haven't never read any de Lint before, I didn't keep my expectations up. The structure of the novel, switching between present and past, does its work of building the relationships between Jilly and the people in her life, making clear the stakes of returning to the life she had left behind after working hard to build.
The element of the fantastic--the city--is actually fairly interesting, except the metaphysics are, perhaps on purpose, not clear at all. However, it feels like the element is less its own standalone concept, as in, I cannot imagine other stories happening in this city, than it is an element to serve Jilly's story.
The writing is sweet, and it's nice to read a happy little story, but the first part of the book is not particularly compelling, and I don't know that I would have finished the book if it weren't for an empty afternoon. Overall, it's an easy afternoon read with compelling characters whose intentions and desires are clear (which is a really nice change, actually, from the reading I've been doing recently).
That said, I would definitely pass this book onto someone who was feeling down and depressed.
The element of the fantastic--the city--is actually fairly interesting, except the metaphysics are, perhaps on purpose, not clear at all. However, it feels like the element is less its own standalone concept, as in, I cannot imagine other stories happening in this city, than it is an element to serve Jilly's story.
The writing is sweet, and it's nice to read a happy little story, but the first part of the book is not particularly compelling, and I don't know that I would have finished the book if it weren't for an empty afternoon. Overall, it's an easy afternoon read with compelling characters whose intentions and desires are clear (which is a really nice change, actually, from the reading I've been doing recently).
That said, I would definitely pass this book onto someone who was feeling down and depressed.
May 7, 2017
So after finished Widdershins, wherein de Lint has written a very nice finale for two of his favourite characters, what is the appeal of a prequel novel looking at one of them during her college years? Actually quite a lot.
The novella follows perennial favourite Jilly Coppercorn in an earlier time in her life, shortly after she came to Newford in the first place, and works as both a great little story in its own right, and also a pretty great jumping-on point for new readers who may not want to go all the way back to The Dreaming Place, written nearly two decades earlier, as well as a story that acknowledges that although very interested in the magical aspects of the world, Jilly spends the first part of the series of books with no direct contact, only hearing about this world through the stories of her friends.
The story is short and sweet, focusing on issues of lost friends and things that may have been and left me feeling quite satisfied and looking forward to reading more.
The novella follows perennial favourite Jilly Coppercorn in an earlier time in her life, shortly after she came to Newford in the first place, and works as both a great little story in its own right, and also a pretty great jumping-on point for new readers who may not want to go all the way back to The Dreaming Place, written nearly two decades earlier, as well as a story that acknowledges that although very interested in the magical aspects of the world, Jilly spends the first part of the series of books with no direct contact, only hearing about this world through the stories of her friends.
The story is short and sweet, focusing on issues of lost friends and things that may have been and left me feeling quite satisfied and looking forward to reading more.
August 1, 2017
Short, but sweet
I was feeling a bit blue this evening and needed a story with heart, so I looked for a Newford story I hadn't yet read. This was just the thing: growth out of sorrows of the past, and short enough to finish in one night. I have so often wished for just such an opportunity to say a last farewell to someone who is gone, and to remember just enough to be able to let them go. I don't know if that sort of experience is necessary to appreciate this story. It might not be for everyone. It was what I needed in this particular moment. I leave this comment in case it can help someone in a similar situation.
I was feeling a bit blue this evening and needed a story with heart, so I looked for a Newford story I hadn't yet read. This was just the thing: growth out of sorrows of the past, and short enough to finish in one night. I have so often wished for just such an opportunity to say a last farewell to someone who is gone, and to remember just enough to be able to let them go. I don't know if that sort of experience is necessary to appreciate this story. It might not be for everyone. It was what I needed in this particular moment. I leave this comment in case it can help someone in a similar situation.
September 17, 2021
Another Jilly Coppercorn book, filled with glimpses of who she was in art school, and her introduction to the myriad other worlds that most of us are never aware of. It is also filled with despair, with hope, with triumph, and one person's Way Back Home. De Lint as said before that he had written his last Jilly novel (although certainly not, one hopes, the short stories), but again, Jilly has demanded to be heard. I'm pretty sure she has no plans to go gentle into that good night. As Mr. de Lint and I are of a very similar age, I so hope he keeps writing about Jilly for so long as I have eyes to read.
May 23, 2018
Shorter than most Newford books I've read, and in many ways a rehashing of Jilly's story--if you've read the other books, you've read about her history, so many of the elements aren't new per say. But don't let that stop you from reading this book. It's quick, it's all about Jilly, and in the end the message is uplifting. Good for a quick jump into Newford, particularly if you need something easy to read.
September 25, 2022
His promises he keeps
I don't give 5 stars to anything but nebula/Hugo winners.
This is the guy who epitomizes urban fantasy for me. He was the first urban fantasy writer I ever read.
And the way he gets into his characters head and makes me feel like I am there with that character. That I can see/feel the heart breaking courage.
I haven't lived the life he writes about. But I can see my very roots in them.
I don't give 5 stars to anything but nebula/Hugo winners.
This is the guy who epitomizes urban fantasy for me. He was the first urban fantasy writer I ever read.
And the way he gets into his characters head and makes me feel like I am there with that character. That I can see/feel the heart breaking courage.
I haven't lived the life he writes about. But I can see my very roots in them.
December 19, 2024
Jilly is just getting straight in this early story of Newford and the main character. She is slowly opening up to others when an old friend shows up and leads her elsewhere. As with many Newford tales, 'elsewhere' could be one of several nice places or one of not so nice. Jilly must learn to adapt to friends and herself. This story is one of the early appearances of her new existence as we are introduced to the series.
January 14, 2018
well imagined visit to the inbetween of the afterlife - who goes there? why ? where next? who’s there? what goes on? how long ?
those are the questions the wonderer this side has.
and this story explores the unknowable territory in a way that the wondering reader can immerse themself without being trite or cliche or going all-zombie ;)
those are the questions the wonderer this side has.
and this story explores the unknowable territory in a way that the wondering reader can immerse themself without being trite or cliche or going all-zombie ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
This book grew on me. It helps that it has all of the strengths of de Lint's work: it's short, there's no real villain, it features Jilly Coppercorn. It's a sweet work in de Lint's usual theme that life can be beautiful even as it is so terrible. I also think it's a compassionate depiction of addiction.
September 5, 2023
The Newford stories are full of such magic. In particular, the Jilly Coppercorn books are wistful, heart-rending, devastating, beautiful, and ultimately full of love and hope. They make me *feel* things, man. (And I know when I reread The Onion Girl, I'm going to be a sobbing mess. And I look forward to it.)
June 22, 2019
I always love going back to Newford...This is a prequel, some back story for the much beloved Jilly...
August 30, 2019
A fun Jilly prequel, nearer the beginning of her journey.
September 21, 2019
I think I’m going to have to go back and spend some time in Newford soon. I’ve missed it ❤️
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