Progression

[threemonkeys]

Another one of those cases of reading an author's work in more or less random order. It gives an insight into how their work has changed in a way that is different to reading them chronologically. This time an early Charles De Lint - Moonheart - earlier than any I had read before. It is interesting to see all the familiar elements there - modern fantasy, other realms, folk music, spirit journeys etc. But there are so many other elements in this one. Things harking to more common fantasy and adventure story types. Things to make the story more "exciting" with more "action". Things that aren't really necessary. Words like honing and refining come to mind. Its interesting that I have had the same observation about this author before but not so far back in his work - I'm sure there is a thesis topic in all that somewhere.

Comments

[lobelet.livejournal.com]

I have a curious hate-love-love relationship with de Lint and it's almost completely chronological. The earlier works are, I think, much more crudely written, much less interesting and significantly less subtle than the later ones. And interestingly, Moonheart is pretty much at the cusp. The books that precede it are less interesting to me than the books that follow it.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Moonheart is very early, but it does contain some of the key elements that make the later (particularly Newford) books so worth reading. Its just a bit buried in the other stuff.

Interestingly I know one person (of our common acquaintance) who much perfers the earlier works. Its all a matter of taste I guess.