The Little Country by Charles de Lint

THE LITTLE COUNTRY [A FANTASY NOVEL]

If you've been reading my book reviews (or, even better, his books) than you know that Charles de Lint has his own little corner of the world that he sets quite a few of his books in. "The Little Country" is not one of those books. Instead it's set in the Cornwall region of England.

"The Little Country" is two stories woven together. In one, we follow the adventures of Janey Little. Janey is a musician living with her beloved Grandfather who's known to one and all as the Gaffer. Earlier in his life one of the Gaffers closest friends had been William Dunthorn, a man with a bit of the fey about him, who wrote some incredible books. Janey's always loved Dunthorn's books, and loved the connection she has to him through the Gaffer.

One day Janey discovers a previously unknown book by Dunthorn hidden in the Gaffers attic. Inside the book it says that it was printed in an edition of one, and there's a letter from Dunthorn to the Gaffer asking him to safe guard the book. Janey quickly learns from the Gaffer that there is magic in the book, and that every time it's taken from hiding strange things begin to happen, including a bunch of strangers trying to get their hands on it.

In the second story we meet Jodi, a young woman who's insatiably curious, and who's always been fascinated by the concept of little people. Well, she soon gets her fascination sated beyond what she ever would have imagined because a witch turns her into a little person!

The rest of Jodi's story is full of her desperate attempts to regain her normal size, and the attempts of her friends to help her. They have to be careful of the witch, and the many creatures she throws their way! Jodi stays brave through it all though. I'll let you find out for yourself whether or not she makes it back to her "normal" self or not.

Now these two stories might seem to have little to do with each other, but they are connected! How? Well, go get the book and find out!

Interested in the other books by Charles de Lint that I've reviewed? Click here.