Journal Entry 1 by bookreadera from Pottstown, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, July 05, 2005

One of my favorite books of all time. 

Journal Entry 2 by bookreadera from Pottstown, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, August 24, 2005

I cannot say enough good things about this book! It's a magical, beautiful story and I've lost more copies of this book than I care to think about. It always seems to get "lost" in someone else's collection. However, I've received a number of pm's asking to borrow it so I'm starting a ring. It will start with those who have already requested to read it (only fair after all.)


From Library Journal

Canadian de Lint put himself on the fantasy map with this 1984 novel that shifts between the Wales of yore and the Ottawa of today. A mythical fantasy for all large collections.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"He shows that, far from being mere escapism, contemporary fantasy can be the deep mythic literature of our time." --Fantasy and Science Fiction

"Charles de Lint is a folksinger as well as a writer and it is this voice we hear...both new and old, lyric, longing, touched by magic." --Jane Yolen

"A finely textured song of a tale of power, wonder, and suspense. Keenly felt, satisfying, fully realized, its essence lingers when the reading's done." --Roger Zelazny

"Mr. de Lint's handling of ancient folklore to weave into an entirely new pattern has never, to my knowledge, been equalled." --Andre Norton

"For more than a decade, Charles de Lint has enjoyed a reputation as one of the world's leading fantasists, thanks largely to his enchanting 1984 novel Moonheart." --Toronto Star
 

Journal Entry 3 by bookreadera from Pottstown, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Journal Entry 4 by buffra from Columbus, Ohio USA on Monday, September 19, 2005

It has been a long time since I have read a fantasy book for adults. I initially found it difficult to “suspend disbelief.” However, once I got further into the book -- once it was exploring the alternate reality, I found it easier. Strangely, what made it most difficult for me to “suspend disbelief” was that I found some of the “real-world” plot contrivances a bit far-fetched. I understand that it was necessary to the later story to establish that cast of characters, but I thought that those portions dragged a bit. I felt that some of the dialogue and activity by the police officers was terribly unrealistic. And the entire conspiracy plot could have been minimized or eliminated without harming the integrity of the story.

Having said all that, though, once I got into the “other world,” I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mix of spirituality and mythology that created the basis for the “other world” understandings was a fascinating one. The story came to life and the characters were (mostly) very likable and -- though they had varying degrees of complexity -- realistic. I enjoyed the fact that the two “heroes” were antagonistic for quite some time; that added a bit of a twist and was a honest development of the sort that isn’t often found in this type of story. In Moonheart, de Lint draws heroism from the most unlikely heroes, injects magic into the mundane, and invites the reader into a fantasy world that extends into our own. 

Journal Entry 5 by buffra from Columbus, Ohio USA on Saturday, October 08, 2005

Mailed today (Oct 8) to lmn60 in Australia. I sent it letter post economy, which shouldn't take as long as surface mail! 

Journal Entry 6 by lmn60 from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Thursday, October 13, 2005

Arrived safely today in my letterbox. I have a couple of books ahead of it but will get into it ASAP. Thanks for this ring bookreadera - I'm looking forward to reading this one! 

Journal Entry 7 by lmn60 from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Saturday, October 22, 2005

I had read other De Lint novels before this one, and was looking forward to reading his 'greatest hit'. I have mixed impressions about this one - I really enjoyed the urban aspects of his fantasy and his co-mingling of the archetypes of Celtic and Native American mythologies. However, I found the narrative slowed markedly in the middle of the book - I was skipping paragraphs to try to move ahead - and only re-found its feet in the latter few chapters.

Still, De Lint on a bad day is a helluva lot better than a lot of other fantasy writers (Tolkien rip-off anyone????) on their best days!

Thanks for the opportunity to read this one bookreadera. I have PMed billhookbabe and will send it on as soon as I receive their address! 

Journal Entry 8 by lmn60 from Spotswood, Victoria Australia on Monday, October 31, 2005

Sent off to billhookbabe today.... 

Journal Entry 9 by billhookbabe on Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Got it today. I have four other books before this, but it should be on it's way by the end of November. 

Journal Entry 10 by billhookbabe on Saturday, December 24, 2005

This book was mostly excellent though a bit tedious in places. I liked the modern day Shaman angle and could not guess the next thing to happen all the time. As usual de Lint was educational as well as entertaining, there is always something to learn in his books. I couldn't put the book down toward the end, stayed up very late and suffered for it, but was well worth it. I have more of de Lint on my shelf waiting to be read, can't wait.Thanks Bookreadera.
Off to Nell-Lu after Christmas.
 

Journal Entry 11 by billhookbabe at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (1/4/2006 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

This will be postd to Nell-Lu today. 

Journal Entry 12 by Nell-Lu from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, January 12, 2006

This arrived earlier in the week, but was taken back to the Post Office depot because - can you belive this?! - the letterbox on my new flat isn't big enough to take a book. So, I picked it up yesterday and have started reading already.

Thanks billhookbabe for the postcard and bookreadera for starting up the ring. I've been looking forward to this one. 

Journal Entry 13 by Nell-Lu from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 17, 2006

I enjoyed this.

I wish I'd read it when it came out, though. It felt a bit like watching The Terminator these days: I know it was innovative, I know I enjoyed it at the time, I know that any number of subsequent films owe it a great debt, but it seems so dated as to be charming and quaint rather than exciting or groundbreaking. On film, it's the eighties hair and clothes that do it, not to mention the music. In Moonheart, it's the attitudes and technology that make it feel like a period piece. Remember the Betamax? They have one in Tamsin House!

So, I liked it, but - and I know this is a weird personal response, especially considering the genre - it didn't quite feel "real", or perhaps I didn't quite connect with any of the characters. Still, better than average and worth reading as a classic of the fantasy genre.

I've got this all packaged up and ready to go to ebonystar; I'll take it to the Post Office this afternoon. 

Journal Entry 14 by ebonystar from Saint John, New Brunswick Canada on Saturday, January 21, 2006

this arrived a couple of days ago- i've read a couple of chapters and it seems like a good read :) 

Journal Entry 15 by ebonystar from Saint John, New Brunswick Canada on Monday, January 30, 2006

i really enjoyed this book, it seems like a cross between a detective story and a fantasy in places, and sometimes it could get a little confusing as it changed between characters and centuries easily (the house being in 2 times/places at once was also hard to grasp.) but overall a good, fun read :)
sending to kiki66 in germany. enjoy! 

Journal Entry 16 by Kiki66 from Gauting, Bayern Germany on Saturday, February 11, 2006

Moonheart has made it across the North Sea!
Despite our snowchaos here...

Thanks for the ring and for the sending the book!
Will read asap!

EDIT:
just wanted to say that the book is still with me!
I had a bit of a hard time getting into it.. and am still 'fighting' but don't want to give up. So please bear with me..
but if I should send it on, just tell me so! 

Journal Entry 17 by Kiki66 at BookRing in -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Bayern Germany on Monday, March 20, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (3/20/2006 UTC) at BookRing in -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Bayern Germany

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Well, I have given up... sorry, but I realized that this book wasn't interesting me at all... though I do like Fantasy and genres like that... but that's the way it is.. and that's what BC is for.. to learn about new books and authors and decide whether you like them or not..

The book is on its way to Bulgaria as of this morning!
Happy travelling!
 

Journal Entry 18 by Vunna from Sofia, Sofiya-Grad Bulgaria on Monday, April 03, 2006

Received it ... few days ago.
I should do something with this memory of mine! 

Journal Entry 19 by Vunna from Sofia, Sofiya-Grad Bulgaria on Monday, April 17, 2006

I liked it, only not as much as expected.The story is really good /I actually found and read the legend of Taliesin/, but sometimes it felt a little transparent or maybe fabricated.I know this is fantasy and it's supposed to be "invented", but there are some moments when things happen without any connection.I don't how to explain it well enough...
Let's just say that I like fantasy and this is one of the good once.
So I'm waiting for the address of indigorage and off it goes! 

Journal Entry 20 by Vunna at to a fellow bookcrosser in Bookring, a postal release -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (5/10/2006 UTC) at to a fellow bookcrosser in Bookring, a postal release -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to gwendy half an hour ago.
Sorry for the delay, but I was really short of money lately... 

Journal Entry 21 by Vunna from Sofia, Sofiya-Grad Bulgaria on Monday, September 18, 2006

I'm deeply sorry but I have to tell you that I've got back the book today with the recipient's address missing /it was on a sticker/. I'll send it again of course, but I wanted to keep everyone informed.
Sorry once again! 

Journal Entry 22 by bookreadera from Pottstown, Pennsylvania USA on Monday, September 18, 2006

At least it isn't lost-thanks for the update : ) 

Journal Entry 23 by gwendy from Rochester, New York USA on Saturday, December 30, 2006

rec'd safely!!
--
2/6/6 honestly i could not get into this one. the writing style put me off, it felt so young and it took far too long to start moving. once it did start to take off i simply found myself uninterested in where it was going. i only read the first ~100 pages and gave up. so many TBRs, so little time. thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 24 by faeriemyst from Marietta, Ohio USA on Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Received safely; I will start it asap. Thanks for sharing this with us, bookreadera! :) 

Journal Entry 25 by faeriemyst from Marietta, Ohio USA on Tuesday, March 20, 2007

This was a very interesting book. I couldn't get to it for a while because school took up most of my time. From the start, I became immersed in the story and had a hard time putting it down. The imagery, characters, and plotline were very inventive and imaginative. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! :)

I'll contact the next person for their address and will get it to them in April (due to low funds this month). I hope this is okay! 

Journal Entry 26 by faeriemyst from Marietta, Ohio USA on Friday, April 06, 2007

Sent to icanfly today. Sorry about the delay, I'm really tight on money now. Thanks again for sharing the book with us! :) 

Journal Entry 27 by icanfly from Grand Blanc, Michigan USA on Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Received 4/14, it's 2nd in line TBR. Bookrings all arrived at once! (next in line is pretty short so shouldn't take too long). 

Journal Entry 28 by ghaweyn from Colorado Springs, Colorado USA on Saturday, July 21, 2007

I received this a couple of days ago. I have the last 100 pages in Harry Potter 5 to finish and then I will read this one. I can't wait. He is one of my favorite authors. 

Journal Entry 29 by ghaweyn from Colorado Springs, Colorado USA on Tuesday, July 31, 2007

I just couldn't get into this one. I was not pulled in by the end of chapter one. I will mail this as soon as I have the next address. 

Journal Entry 30 by BigrTex from Cedar Park, Texas USA on Tuesday, August 14, 2007

I found this book in my office today, it must have arrived sometime last week. I look forward to reading it soon. 

Journal Entry 31 by BigrTex from Cedar Park, Texas USA on Saturday, November 24, 2007

It took me a lot longer to read this book than I expected. I actually finished it about a month ago and apologize for being slow to get it passed on.

The story was overly reminiscent of The Little Country — the young girl with the protective but weaker father figure fighting against the rich man for the magic. It actually ended up enough different to be interesting, but I did not enjoy the descriptions of the magical world as much as I have with some of his other books. It's not clear if it is because this was one of his earlier works, or if it was just me.

I've PM'd cyber-librarian and will pass this book on this week. 

Journal Entry 32 by BigrTex at Cyber-Librarian in Antioch, Illinois -- Controlled Releases on Monday, December 17, 2007

Released 4 yrs ago (12/14/2007 UTC) at Cyber-Librarian in Antioch, Illinois -- Controlled Releases

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I finally got this in the mail to cyber-librarian. Sorry for the delay.

Journal Entry 33 by cyber-librarian from Cary, North Carolina USA on Thursday, January 03, 2008

I received this book on 12/20 from BigrTex in TX ... as part of this bookring. I'm sorry for being slow in journaling, but my DH was recovering from surgery and then we went on vacation. I took the book with me to Florida, hoping for some time to relax and read, but we were on the go constantly. I started reading it and so far it looks very interesting.

c. 1984 -- 440 pages -- Trade Paperback -- #35 on Modern Library Reader's 100 Best Novels list

Back Cover: His unforgettable tale of this world and the other. The classic novel of ancient magic on the streets of Canada today. When Sara and Jamie discovered the seemingly ordinary artifacts, they sensed the pull of a dim and distant place. A world of mists and forests, of ancient magics, mythical beings, ageless bards ... and restless evil.

Now, with their friends and enemies alike -- Blue, the biker; Keiran, the folk musician; the Inspector from the RCMP; and the mysterious Tom Hengyr -- Sara and Jamie are drawn into this enchanted land through the portals of Tamson House, that sprawling downtown edifice that straddles two worlds.

Sweeping from ancient Wales to the streets of Ottawa today, Moonheart will entrance you with its tale of this world and the other one at the very edge of sight ... and of the unforgettable people caught up in the affairs of both. A tale of music, and motorcycles, and fey folk beyond the shadows of the moon. A tale of true magic the tale of Moonheart. 

Journal Entry 34 by cyber-librarian from Cary, North Carolina USA on Thursday, March 06, 2008

UPDATE: RL keeps getting in the way of my reading time ... but I am over halfway done with this book and constantly trying to find a break in RL to read. You can check my profile, as I'll try to update it daily with the page number that I'm on. We're getting our house ready to sell, so I've had painters and carpet guys here plus de-cluttering and de-personalizing. We should go on the market by 3/14 and then I can sit back and read while Realtors show the house. 

Journal Entry 35 by cyber-librarian from Cary, North Carolina USA on Monday, March 24, 2008

I finally finished reading this on 3/22 ... thank you everyone for your patience in my slow reading among all of RL's interruptions. I enjoyed the fantasy story around Sara very much. Although overall, I have read better. I thought the battle among fantasy creatures and humans clashed with the battles among humans themselves (cops vs. Walters). I also thought Keiran's character was very interesting in the beginning, confusing in the middle whether he was good or evil, and then extremely weak at the end. The connection between Jamie (and his forefathers) with the house was quite interesting ... with having the shell of the house in this world while the inner house was in another world ... and the protection the house provided to its occupants.

Thank you bookreadera for providing this bookring and allowing me to participate. I'll be mailing it back to you this week. 

Journal Entry 36 by cyber-librarian at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Released 4 yrs ago (4/2/2008 UTC) at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

I'm mailing this book today to bookreadera in PA ... to complete this bookring.
DC# 0306-1070-0000-8356-1112
USPS website says this was delivered on 4/7/08.