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A review by ariw
The Onion Girl by Charles de Lint
5.0
I've read a fair number of Charles de Lint's books now - eleven at last count - and have been very aware of the darkness at the edges of many of his stories. While this one doesn't quite meet [b:Mulengro|258475|Mulengro|Charles de Lint|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1401387192s/258475.jpg|14299576] in terms of pure horror, or even [b:Moonheart|618174|Moonheart|Charles de Lint|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1357163014s/618174.jpg|14299473]'s more fantastical evil, The Onion Girl is probably the darkest yet, because it deals with an especially human brand of awful.
Finding out Jilly's backstory is bittersweet. We now know where she comes from, and can greater appreciate her strength of spirit, but it brings revelations that are less than welcome, both for the characters and the reader. Luckily de Lint is skilled at countering darkness with light, and there is a fey calm running through the heart of this novel that makes for a captivating read.
NOTE: I've just discovered there are audiobooks of a few of de Lint's novels - including this one. The dilemma is: will it give another lovely insight and angle to his writing, or ruin my own imaginings of the world of Newford?
Finding out Jilly's backstory is bittersweet. We now know where she comes from, and can greater appreciate her strength of spirit, but it brings revelations that are less than welcome, both for the characters and the reader. Luckily de Lint is skilled at countering darkness with light, and there is a fey calm running through the heart of this novel that makes for a captivating read.
NOTE: I've just discovered there are audiobooks of a few of de Lint's novels - including this one. The dilemma is: will it give another lovely insight and angle to his writing, or ruin my own imaginings of the world of Newford?