Dreams Underfoot

Dreams Underfoot is a collection of linked short stories set in the fictional city of Newford. The stories follow various characters whose paths intersect as they encounter magic and folklore hidden within the modern urban landscape. At the center of many tales is Jilly Coppercorn, an artist who acts as a connecting thread between the different narratives and characters. The stories move between the visible world of cafes, music clubs and art galleries to a shadow realm where myths and magic persist. The collection blends elements of contemporary urban life with traditional folklore, fairy tales and Native American mythology. Characters encounter mysterious figures, supernatural events and unexplained phenomena while going about their daily lives in the city. These interconnected stories explore themes of art, music, healing from trauma, and the enduring power of ancient magic in the modern world. The work suggests that enchantment and wonder exist alongside the grit and concrete of urban spaces, waiting to be discovered by those who remain open to possibility.

Readers praise the interconnected short story format and de Lint's ability to blend urban fantasy with folklore. Many note the rich atmosphere of the fictional city Newford and the authentic portrayal of its artistic, musical community. The character Jilly Coppercorn appears as a recurring thread that helps tie the stories together. Common praise focuses on the accessible writing style and emotional depth of the characters. Multiple reviewers mention how the stories feel both magical and grounded in reality. Some readers find the pacing slow and describe certain stories as depressing or dark. A few note that the interconnected format can feel confusing, making it hard to track characters across stories. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.16/5 (12,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.2/5 (2,900+ ratings) "Like stepping into a familiar dream world" - Common reader sentiment "Beautiful but sometimes too melancholy" - Frequent critique

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🌙 "Dreams Underfoot" is part of de Lint's Newford series, which spans over 25 books and stories set in the fictional North American city of Newford, where magic and mundane reality regularly intersect. 🎭 The character of Jilly Coppercorn, who appears throughout the book, was inspired by several artist friends of Charles de Lint and has become one of his most beloved recurring characters. 📚 Though published as a novel, the book is actually a collection of interconnected short stories that were previously published in various magazines and anthologies throughout the 1980s. 🎨 De Lint pioneered the sub-genre known as "urban fantasy" through works like this, bringing magical realism into contemporary city settings rather than traditional medieval-style fantasy worlds. 🎵 Music plays a significant role in the stories, reflecting de Lint's own background as a folk musician and his integration of Celtic and Native American folklore into modern storytelling.