Charles de Lint

Popularized the genre of urban fantasy

Writes for children and adults

Also writes poetry and songs. He and his wife, MaryAnn Harris, are musicians.

Born in the Netherlands, moved to Canada at the age of four months, and lives in Ottawa presently

His most famous work is 1984’s Moonheart.

And now, one of his poems. It should give some insight into the type of magic he uses in his novels. He tends towards the nature-centered, shamanistic side of fantasy, rather than the Judeo-Christian high fantasy tradition of Tolkien.

Tapu'at House by Charles de Lint

(for Terri and Ellen)

In the Women's House, spirits are speaking. The women are tapping word-hoards until stories jump like cholla thorns from mind to pen, burrowing deep beneath the skin. In the Fairy House, Coyote sleeps. All around him, in the desert, saguaro dream like green giants while Coyote juggles mischief and luck in his sleep. All around him, in the desert, the uncles and aunts teach us to remember that we are still animals. In the Women's House, the otherworld is watching. The women are borrowing from the dry hills shape and pigment, vision and song, allowing totems to guide them through this pathless world. In the Spirit House, women are singing. Their voices are like the silent laughter of cats. With every day's work they move closer to the vanishing ghost of a wilderness that now exists only in peripheral vision. What you and I no longer remember, the women in this house have never forgotten.