Forests of the Heart

Charles de Lint

Forests of the Heart
Into the Green

I just read two de Lint novels in sucession on Bonnie's reccomendation, not the titles but the author. Forests of the Heart and Into the Green. Into the Green is short and simple and almost seems like a compilation of short stories centered around one character. I think it must be one of de Lint's earlier works because it certainly doesn't have the breadth and depth of the other novel I read, Forests of the Heart. I enjoyed this novel mainly for the author's development of his main character, Bettina, who is an Indian medicine woman very much in the Castenada tradition. The novel is a strange mix of Irish mythology and Indian mythology, a clash of old an new world spirits. de Lint also explores the theme of power, its uses and dangers...and the ambiguity that lies somewhere between good and evil. I enjoyed reading this book.