The Mystery of Grace, Charles de Lint
The Mystery of Grace, Charles de Lint
2 Rating(s)
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The Mystery of Grace

Author: Charles de Lint

Narrator: Richard Powers, Tai Sammons

Unabridged: 9 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/14/2009

Synopsis

On the Day of the Dead, at the Solona Music Hall, Altagracia Quintero meets John Burns—just two weeks too late.Grace, as her friends call her, has a Ford Motor Company tattoo running down her leg and grease worked deep into her hands. She works at Sanchez Motorworks customizing hot rods. Finding the line in a classic car is her calling. Now Grace has to find the line in her own life. Grace loves John, and John loves her, and that would be wonderful, except that John, like Grace, has unfinished business: he’s haunted by the childhood death of his younger brother. He’s never stopped feeling responsible. Before their relationship can find its resolution, the two of them will have to teach each other about life and love, about hot rods and Elvis Presley, and about why it’s necessary to let some things go.

About Charles de Lint

Charles de Lint is the award-winning author of fantasy fiction, including urban fantasy, contemporary magical realism, and mythic fiction. He is best known for his fantasy novels in the Newford series, but he also writes novellas, short stories, poetry, lyrics, literary criticism, and a children’s book. Among his many awards are the Ontario Library Association’s White Pine Award, the Great Lakes Great Books Award, the Canadian SF/Fantasy Award, and the 2000 World Fantasy Award. His evocative novels have earned him a devoted following and critical acclaim as a master of contemporary mythic fiction.

About Richard Powers

Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. His book, The Overstory, won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction.

About Tai Sammons

Tai Sammons earned her degree in theater from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, where she worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This award-winning actress currently resides upstate in Portland, with her beloved black pug, Oscar.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Michael on December 23, 2010

When Grace and John meet at a bar on Halloween, the attraction between the two is undeniable. Everything is going well, until the morning after Grace mysteriously vanishes from John's apartment after John confesses he feels responsible for the death of his brother. That's the hook for Charles De Lint......more

Goodreads review by Janelle on January 04, 2021

This was an enjoyable fantasy novel about, love, life, and the afterlife. The opening chapter is quite brilliant and draws you into this intriguing world. John and Grace have spent the night together in his bed. She gets up, goes to the bathroom and then disappears. The story jumps between John and......more

Goodreads review by Brooke on March 15, 2009

The Mystery of Grace is a perfect de Lint novel. It has fully fleshed out characters I really cared about, the author's familiar treatment of spirit worlds and the ordinary people who encounter them, and the easy-going voice I've come to love over the years. I would definitely recommend this to anyo......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on April 25, 2009

This book is typical of all of DeLint's work, in my opinion: great plot, pedestrian writing laden with stereotypes and cliches. Tattooed gearhead hottie Grace is gunned down in a bodega and wakes up in a gray-lit version of her old 'hood. She comes to realize this limbo is the creation of a bruja wh......more

Goodreads review by Read By Kyle on November 01, 2024

Initially after finishing this, I gave it three stars because it was just kinda fine. But then I thought about it for a few minutes and I realized this book is actually not good, and I would defend it being not good, and I don't have positives for it in particular, besides the basic concept. First of......more

Quotes

“De Lint is a romantic; he believes in the great things, faith, hope, and charity (especially if love is included in that last), but he also believes in the power of magic--or at least the magic of fiction--to open our eyes to a larger world.” Edmonton Journal

“This tale of attachments formed and relinquished is also about belief and hope. De Lint doesn’t endorse any particular religious system, but he writes passionately about the individual’s ability to discover an effective personal magic. The story develops through comforting, warm compassion to reach the inevitable, mostly satisfying solution.” Publishers Weekly

“Tai Sammons and Paul Garcia share narration duties for both Grace’s and John’s point of view. Sammons has a warm, rich voice; her Grace is tough, smart, and likable, while her John is tender and reserved. Garcia’s gentle tenor has sharp edges that keep one riveted. Between them, they make this a charming love story.” AudioFile

“De Lint is a master storyteller, and this work is no exception. His sense of place is uncannily magical. He has a knack for writing characters that will break your heart and the bittersweet mood of this book is just perfect. Set in the American Southwest and populated with hot-rodders and a rockabilly sound-track, this is definitely a stand-out in de Lint’s oeuvre.” RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)

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