I've read some of McKillip's fantasy in the past and enjoyed it, and this book was recommended to me by a friend, so I dove in, knowing it was different from her other work.
I had just read Faerie Tale by Raymond Feist, which has a similar theme of the world of faerie intersecting with the modern world, and had been disappointed by it. I found it to be formulaic and predictable, written like a treatment for a bad 70's TV movie.
Solstice Wood couldn't be more different. Yes, it takes place in "upstate NY" and yes, it features faerie in the modern world, but that's where the similarity ends. The characters are realistic and well-rounded, not stereotypes and caricatures. The descriptions of faerie are ethereal and believable, and McKillip didn't feel the need to invent an evil nemesis to ramp up the conflict. The fae are mysterious and slightly menacing, yes, just as they are in the lore, but they are not evil.
The story is told from multiple points of view, which is especially interesting when you see the same scene as experienced by different characters. It adds layers to the story that you might not get from a third-person POV.
The story revolves around Sylvia Lynn, who returns to her hometown to attend the funeral of her grandfather. Her grandmother, who raised her, is trying to get Sylvia to move back home, which she ardently resists. Mysterious happenings surround Lynn Hall, the family home, and a series of eccentric characters surround the family, especially the strange Fiber Guild, who seem to be doing more than just needlework in their monthly meetings.
I loved the little charming touches added to the story, like the Community Phone Bush (the only spot in town able to receive a cell phone signal), and the changeling who loves Gram's cookies.
I liked this book a lot, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy, magical realism, or mythic fiction. If you like Charles de Lint, Emma Bull, or Teri Windling, you'll enjoy Solstice Wood
Find Solstice Wood at Amazon.
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