The Onion Girl

By: Charles de Lint

Narrated by: Kate Reading

In his stunning works of magic and danger in the modern world, Charles de Lint has brought an entire imaginary North American city to vivid life: Newford, where magic lights the dark streets, myths walk clothed in modern shapes, and a broad cast of extraordinary people work to keep the whole world turning. At the center of it all stands a young artist named Jilly Coppercorn, with her tangled hair and paint-splattered jeans, whose paintings capture the hidden beings that dwell in the city's shadows.

Now, at last, de Lint tells Jilly's own story; for behind the painter's fey charm lies a dark secret that she's labored to forget. "I'm the onion girl," Jilly Coppercorn says. "Pull back the layers of my life, and you won't find anything at the core. Just a broken child. A hollow girl. She's very, very good at running - but the past has come to claim her now."

©2001 Charles de Lint (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Excellent story as well as extremely well read

If you could sum up The Onion Girl in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing, engaging and different

What other book might you compare The Onion Girl to and why?

Widdershins, Dreams Underfoot, Dream and Memores, The Mystery of Grace

What about Kate Reading’s performance did you like?

Her voice works very well with both male and female characters and is pleasant to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The other side

wow

amazing followup to someplace to be flying. I ended up all night listening thoroughly recommend.

Another Great Story from Charles De Lint

I always loved returning to Newport and the characters I have grown to love. Does not matter how long in between it feels like I have never left, which take a true master writer to do. The way this book deals with both emotional healing of past childhood abuse and physical healing gives it a prospective that every story of abuse is different and they way one reacts is unique everytime. he reminds us to heal from abuse is not in revenge but in making yourself stronger.

Favorite so far

I have been working my way through the Newford series. I have always loved Jilly and have enjoyed her part in the many stories. That may be why this is my favorite novel in the series so far. I didn't even mind the retelling of some parts of those stories for this work. It was so nice to get to know Jilly more and to really get inside her head. It was wonderful.

Enchanting

De Lint's world and characters are as charming as ever, and the world he creates is somehow both mystical and believable. He does a remarkable job of blending new and old, expected and unexpected, mythological and mundane. The characters and the world(s) are fully developed in a vibrant and elaborate tapestry, with a depth that leaves the reader wanting to know more despite the satisfactory resolve.

Kate Reading's voice acting adds to the overall charm and pleasure of this book. There are quite a few characters in this story, and if some of the characters have similar voices, it is still clear whose voice she is narrating. Her clear and gentle style entice the listener to become lost in the story and forget things like, oh, the tea kettle on the stove.

I would recommend this book for those who enjoy suspending their disbelief to peer through the keyhole of one writer's view of what could be. It has strong themes of personal strength, and triumph against the odds, as well as a deep respect for the First Peoples of North America. It could also be an inspiring tale of hope for someone recovering from an accident or other health setback. Any fan of Charles de Lint's urban fantasies will enjoy hearing more about Jilly and the Dreamland.

Overall a terrific read, one I plan to play again, and possibly buy in paper format.