Someplace to Be Flying
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Someplace to Be Flying
Charles de Lint's "Someplace to Be Flying" offers a potent dose of what makes his Newford sagas so enduring: a palpable sense of place saturated with the uncanny. The novel excels in its portrayal of Newford as a character in itself, a city breathing with forgotten myths and inhabited by souls touched by the extraordinary. The way de Lint interweaves the lives of his protagonists, particularly the artist Corinna and the musician Ted, with the city's hidden magical currents is masterful. A specific strength lies in the depiction of the "King of Cats," a figure embodying the wild, untamed spirit of the urban landscape. However, the novel's deliberate pacing, while contributing to its atmosphere, might occasionally feel slow for readers accustomed to more plot-driven fantasy. The strength of its thematic exploration of art's connection to magic is undeniable, but the narrative threads sometimes feel less urgent than the rich environmental details. "Someplace to Be Flying" remains a compelling entry for its unique atmosphere and its exploration of the magical undercurrents of everyday life.
📝 Description
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Charles de Lint's "Someplace to Be Flying" arrived in August 2005, anchoring his Newford series.
This novel immerses readers in the city of Newford, a place where the ordinary and the magical coexist. The story follows artists, musicians, and storytellers whose lives become entwined with supernatural elements and the city's unique folklore. De Lint builds a world where creativity, community, and the subtle wonders just beyond daily life are central.
The narrative is built around character-driven stories, focusing on the connections between people and the unseen forces within their environment. Readers will find a strong sense of place, evoked through atmospheric writing that highlights the blend of contemporary life with deep-seated magic. The book appeals to those who enjoy urban fantasy grounded in myth and artistic expression.
Published in 2005, "Someplace to Be Flying" appeared as urban fantasy gained broader literary traction. Charles de Lint, already a figure in the genre, used the Newford setting to weave tales that blended contemporary life with mythic undercurrents. His approach, often described as magical realism with an urban sensibility, offered an alternative to more action-focused fantasy. The early 2000s saw a rise in using folklore for modern narratives, a path de Lint actively followed, infusing his work with a sense of the numinous within everyday settings.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain insight into the power of urban folklore and its connection to contemporary life, exemplified by the mythical figures inhabiting Newford. • Experience how artistic creation, like Corinna's painting, can act as a conduit to other realities and reveal hidden truths. • Understand the concept of "songlines" as described in the book, exploring how invisible pathways shape our world and our connections to it.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the city of Newford in Charles de Lint's work?
Newford serves as the central, recurring setting in de Lint's "Newford" series, first appearing in the 1980s. It is depicted as a city where the ordinary and supernatural coexist, a place where folklore, myth, and magic are woven into the fabric of everyday life.
When was "Someplace to Be Flying" originally published?
"Someplace to Be Flying" was first published in August 2005. This edition brought a significant novel within the Newford sequence to a wider audience in trade paperback format.
What are some common themes explored in "Someplace to Be Flying"?
The novel explores themes of art, music, storytelling, community, the intersection of the mundane and magical, and the power of place. It often focuses on characters who are artists or musicians and their connection to the city's hidden spiritual dimensions.
Is "Someplace to Be Flying" part of a series?
Yes, "Someplace to Be Flying" is part of Charles de Lint's "Newford" series. While it can be read as a standalone novel, understanding the broader context of Newford enriches the reading experience.
Who are some key characters in "Someplace to Be Flying"?
Key characters include Corinna, an artist, and Ted, a musician, whose lives and artistic endeavors intersect with the magical elements of Newford. The narrative also features archetypal figures and spirits tied to the city.
What is the general tone and style of "Someplace to Be Flying"?
The tone is often atmospheric, lyrical, and somewhat melancholic, blending elements of magical realism with urban fantasy. De Lint's prose is known for its descriptive richness and its ability to evoke a strong sense of mood and place.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The Spirit of Place
Newford itself is more than a setting; it's a living entity imbued with spirit and history. The novel explores how the collective consciousness, folklore, and even the physical architecture of a city can manifest magical properties. This animism extends to the natural world within the urban environment, suggesting that overlooked spaces hold their own unique energies. The narrative encourages readers to perceive the hidden life force within their own surroundings, blurring the lines between the mundane and the sacred.
Art as a Magical Act
Central to the book is the concept that art—be it painting, music, or storytelling—possesses genuine magical power. Artists like Corinna are portrayed not just as creators but as conduits for channeling supernatural forces and shaping reality. Their creations can open portals, communicate with spirits, or influence the very fabric of the city. This theme elevates artistic expression to a sacred practice, suggesting that creativity is a fundamental force capable of bridging the gap between worlds and revealing deeper truths.
Interconnectedness and Community
The lives of the diverse characters in "Someplace to Be Flying" are intricately linked, often through unseen threads of fate and shared encounters with the city's magic. De Lint emphasizes the importance of community, especially among artists and those who are sensitive to the mystical. These connections, whether through shared musical performances or collaborative artistic endeavors, form a network of support and understanding. The novel suggests that human relationships, amplified by shared experiences of the extraordinary, are crucial for navigating both the ordinary and the magical realms.
Myth and Modernity
The novel revitalizes ancient myths and folklore by embedding them within a contemporary urban setting. Figures from legend and archetypes of the subconscious walk the streets of Newford, interacting with modern characters. This juxtaposition highlights how timeless stories and spiritual concepts continue to resonate and manifest in new forms. The work explores the idea that the "old ways" are not entirely lost but are present, albeit perhaps obscured, within the hustle and bustle of modern life, waiting to be rediscovered through art and awareness.
💬 Memorable Quotes
“The city itself seemed to hum with a forgotten song.”
— This interpretation highlights the personification of Newford, suggesting it possesses its own consciousness and ancient energy that is perceptible to those attuned to its frequency.
“Her paintings weren't just images; they were doorways.”
— This emphasizes the theme of art as a magical practice, where creative output transcends mere representation to become a tangible force capable of accessing other realities.
“Sometimes the strangest paths lead you exactly where you need to be.”
— This reflects the narrative's embrace of serendipity and the idea that unconventional or seemingly misdirected journeys can ultimately fulfill a deeper purpose or destiny.
“The music hung in the air, a tangible presence.”
— This conveys how sound and performance in the novel can manifest with an almost physical quality, impacting the environment and the listeners' perceptions in profound ways.
“We are all made of stories, and some stories refuse to end.”
— This philosophical statement underscores the enduring power of narrative and myth, suggesting that certain tales possess a life force that connects generations and continues to shape the present.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While not strictly adhering to a single esoteric lineage, "Someplace to Be Flying" draws heavily from animistic traditions, shamanic concepts of spirit journeys, and the Western Hermetic principle of 'As Above, So Below.' It aligns with modern interpretations of nature spirituality and the idea that sacredness can be found in the mundane, particularly within urban landscapes. The work departs from rigid dogma, instead embracing a more fluid, intuitive understanding of magic rooted in creativity and place.
Symbolism
Key symbols include the city of Newford itself, representing the collective unconscious and a nexus of spiritual energies. Animals, particularly cats and crows, often act as spirit guides or messengers, embodying ancient wisdom and the wilder aspects of existence. The "songlines" or "spirit paths" function as symbolic representations of invisible energetic connections that link people, places, and moments in time, often revealed through art or music.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary practitioners of eco-spirituality and urban shamanism find resonance in de Lint's portrayal of the city as a living entity. Artists and musicians engaged with the idea of art as magic often cite his work as inspiration. The novel's exploration of finding the sacred within everyday life speaks to modern seekers looking for spiritual depth outside traditional religious structures, particularly those interested in the power of place and creative expression.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Readers fascinated by urban fantasy that emphasizes folklore and myth, seeking stories where magic is woven into the fabric of everyday city life. • Aspiring artists, musicians, and writers interested in exploring the concept of art as a potent creative and potentially magical force. • Individuals drawn to contemplative narratives that explore themes of place, community, and the hidden spiritual dimensions of the world around us.
📜 Historical Context
Published in 2005, "Someplace to Be Flying" arrived at a time when urban fantasy was gaining significant traction, moving from the fringes to a more mainstream appreciation. Charles de Lint, already a respected voice in the genre, solidified his reputation with this work within the established Newford universe. His unique blend of magical realism, folklore, and contemporary urban settings offered a distinct alternative to the more action-heavy fantasy narratives popular at the time. De Lint's approach shared thematic ground with writers like Neil Gaiman, who also explored the mythic in modern settings, though de Lint’s focus remained intensely on the atmosphere and character-driven magic of his fictional city. The novel emerged during a period of renewed interest in mythology and indigenous storytelling, which de Lint masterfully adapted for a modern, urban context. Its reception was positive among fans and critics who valued its atmospheric depth and its thoughtful exploration of art and magic.
📔 Journal Prompts
Newford's atmospheric blend of the real and the magical.
The role of art and music in accessing hidden realities.
Corinna's artistic process and its connection to the city's spirit.
The concept of the 'King of Cats' as an urban spirit.
Reflecting on the 'songlines' that might exist in your own environment.
🗂️ Glossary
Newford
The fictional city that serves as the primary setting for Charles de Lint's "Newford" series. It is depicted as a place where the ordinary world intersects with myth, magic, and folklore.
Songlines
In the context of the book, these are invisible paths or energetic routes that connect places and people, often accessed through intuition, art, or altered states of consciousness.
King of Cats
A recurring archetypal figure in de Lint's work, often representing the wild, untamed spirit of the city and its hidden magical undercurrents.
Art Magic
The concept that creative acts, such as painting or music, can possess genuine power to influence reality, open perceptions, and bridge the mundane and supernatural realms.
Urban Animism
The belief that cities and urban environments possess their own spirit or consciousness, interacting with inhabitants and influencing events.
Liminal Spaces
Places that exist on the threshold or boundary between different states or realities, such as the edges of a city or moments of transition, where the magical is more accessible.
Spirit Paths
Similar to songlines, these are conceptualized routes or connections through which spiritual energy flows and by which unseen forces can travel or be perceived.
