When most people think of fantasy, images of fairies, unicorns, dragons, and other fantastical creatures set in a "Camelot" type world comes to mind. Most would not think of these extraordinary creatures living in modern times. The fantasy author Charles de Lint is among many present-day authors that has broken the mold of what fantasy should be. He has taken fantasy-related elements and placed them in a modern day setting. He uses these extraordinary creatures and events as metaphors for the deeper understanding of what his main characters represent and whom they are inside. His message is a common one that can be found in all his books and short stories. It says that people should not deny what is inside them. Carol Porter notes in the article De Lint Author of Magic that "His protagonists are tested over and over again to prove their mettle against evil forces and learn about themselves and their strengths in the process.De Lint is making the point that through suffering, people can and will become stronger and better individuals as they discover unforeseen and undiscovered aspects of themselves". Some of the works in which you will find this message are in the novels Someplace to be Flying and Memory and Dreams, as well as in the short story collection titled The Ivory and the Horn.

             Charles de Lint was born in the Netherlands. He moved with his family to Canada only three months later. He confessed to Clinton Somerton in the article Charles de Lint takes readers Someplace to be Flying that he never planned to be a writer growing up. "For a long, long time, I was just going to be a musician" he said. Music does, in fact, play a large role in almost all his work. Along with his love for music, de Lint also "developed a large affinity to reading books" at a very young age. "He particularly enjoyed books on mythology and folk tales, which included Celtic folklore"(Somerton).