Dingo by Charles de Lint: Book Review


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Cover of Dingo by Charles de Lint

3 Stars

Miguel is working in his dad’s comic book/record store one afternoon when a girl he doesn’t know wonders in. Lainey is beautiful, with a sense of humor, intelligence, an Australian accent, red-gold hair, and a matching dog–excuse me, dingo. The two hit it off immediately, but weird things start to happen–and it all seems to center around the dingo.

I love, love, love Charles de Lint’s books. I’m just starting to wish that he would get away from writing young adult books. They’re probably a good introduction to this wonderful author for young fantasy fans, but I know de Lint can write stuff that is so much better. There’s not really anything technically wrong with this. If I were a 14-year-old girl, I would probably adore it. But I’m not 14 anymore (thank goodness!) and I’m really missing the Charles de Lint characters I fell in love with a long time ago.

If you’re a fan of Charles de Lint, go ahead and read this. You might even want to buy it for any young fans of fantasy you know. But please don’t start with this one if you’re an adult wanting to see what Charles de Lint is all about. Start with Someplace to be Flying or The Onion Girl instead.

Reviewed August 17, 2008

Find author Charles de Lint on his website, Twitter, and Facebook.

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Friday Flashback Reviews a feature at The Introverted Reader

Friday Flashback Reviews are a weekly feature here on The Introverted Reader. These are old reviews I wrote on GoodReads. Thanks to Angieville and her Retro Friday Reviews for the inspiration and encouragement!

I have an affiliate relationship with Malaprop’s, my local independent bookstore located in beautiful downtown Asheville, NC; and Better World Books. I will receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase books through links on my site.

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1 Comment

  1. I agree with you – I love Charles' adult books so very much! I've read all of them (with the exception of the last two, which I have to get to). I haven't read Dingo yet, so I can't comment on it. I should, just so I can say I've read it….it does sound interesting and fun, though like a version of Charles-lite fantasy. Onion Girl was so good, wasn't it? I just reread Moonheart last year, and it was as good as ever.

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