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Memory & Dream by Charles De Lint
01/07/2007 . Source: Tomas L. Martin 
Pub: TOR/Forge. 400 page enlarged paperback. Price: $15.95 (US), $19.95 (CAN). ISBN: 978-0-765-31678-3. Buy Memory & Dream in the USA - or Buy Memory & Dream in the UK  check out website: www.tor-forge.com
Of all the fantasy sub-genres, the most intriguing to me is the urban fantasy practised by Charles de Lint and Neil Gaiman, placing strange and magical events and characters within the world we know. The juxtaposition of real world issues and extraordinary fantasy elements can bring out the best in both when done well.
'Memory & Dream' is one of de Lint's earlier books, first released in hardcover in 1994 but with the success of 'Widdershins' last year finally seeing the light of day as a trade paperback.
Like many of his novels, the book centres around one of the Newford collective, a group of artists, writers and musicians living in the town of Newford, which also happens to have a strong magical link to the other creatures and worlds of de Lint's imagination. Over the course of his books, many of the side characters feature as main characters in other stories and vice versa.
The heroine of 'Memory & Dream' is Isabelle, an artist who when she was studying became the pupil of visionary painter Vincent Rushkin, a brilliant but sadistically cruel man. As he teaches her to improve her painting, it becomes increasingly clear that Rushkin's work doesn't just look magical, it is magical.
Alternate chapters follow Isabelle whilst she is studying and twenty years later, when the shock of the damage her talent has caused turned her into a recluse. The alternating timelines works effectively in keeping the secrets and emotions hidden, only unravelling all the truth at the last, satisfying moment.
The mixing of fantastical elements into a living breathing American town is always the highlight of de Lint's work. The magical creatures and those normal people who meet them are just as cleverly drawn, carefully flawed and multi-dimensional. It's easy to fall into the loosening of the cracks between worlds de Lint has made and start to believe in it.
The author plays off a lot of folk and art traditions and popular myths to create a rich and inviting atmosphere to delve into. I found I enjoyed this earlier work as much as de Lint's more recent attempts and hope to enjoy many more of his prolific output. Recommended.
Tomas L. Martin
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