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'''''Tam Lin''''' is a 1991 contemporary fantasy novel by [[Pamela Dean]] based on the traditional Scottish ballad [[Tam Lin (ballad)]]. | '''''Tam Lin''''' is a 1991 contemporary fantasy novel by [[Pamela Dean]] based on the traditional Scottish ballad [[Tam Lin (ballad)]]. | ||
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[[Category:Novels]] | [[Category:Novels]] | ||
[[category:Works of fantasy]] | |||
[[Category:Fantasy novels]] | [[Category:Fantasy novels]] | ||
[[Category:1991 publications]] | [[Category:1991 publications]] | ||
[[Category:Reinterpretive works]] | [[Category:Reinterpretive works]] | ||
[[category:Works by title]] | |||
Latest revision as of 13:27, 8 January 2011
Tam Lin is a 1991 contemporary fantasy novel by Pamela Dean based on the traditional Scottish ballad Tam Lin (ballad).
It was originally published as one of the Fairy Tale Series edited by Terri Windling.
Plot introduction
The protagonist of Tam Lin is Janet Carter and the novel, written in the third person but from Janet's point of view, is set during her years as a student at Blackstock College in Minnesota in the early 1970s. The cast of characters are Janet's fellow students, professors at the college, her family, and one childhood friend. The plot combines the story of a young woman's life at college with a retelling of the traditional Scottish fairy ballad Tam Lin (ballad).
Characters in Tam Lin
- Janet Carter is the protagonist.
- Molly is Janet's college roommate.
- Christina is also Janet's college roommate.
- Nicholas Tooley is a student.
- Thomas Lane is a student.
- Robert Armin is a student.
- Professor Medeous is head of the Classics Department.
- Melinda Wolfe is a Classics professor and Janet's first study advisor.
- Victoria Thompson is a campus ghost originating in the late 19th century.
- Danny Chin is Janet's friend from childhood.
Themes
Tam Lin is a late 20th century urban fantasy or fantasy of manners. The story touches on feminist themes including sexuality, birth control, pregnancy and abortion issues. Dean has referred to this novel as a "love poem" to "my college, and ultimately to the study of English literature."[1]
References and allusions to other works
The novel Tam Lin is based on the traditional Scottish ballad Tam Lin (ballad).
The novel also contains many quotations and allusions. Most of the quotations are from English literature and especially the plays of Shakespeare.[2]
References to history and geography
The novel casually alludes to several historical events and figures in early 1970s U.S. history including the Vietnam War and Nixon. More importantly to the plot, Janet Carter, the protagonist, mentions the law ruling allowing legal abortions in the U.S. (Roe v. Wade).
Blackstock College is partly physically based on Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota, which author Pamela Dean attended as an undergraduate (1971–1975). Dean states, in the "Author's Note" published in the back of every edition of Tam Lin:
Readers acquainted with Carleton College will find much that is familiar to them in the architecture, landscape, classes, terminology, and general atmosphere of Blackstock. They are earnestly advised that it would be unwise to refine too much upon this. Blackstock is not Carleton.[3]
Awards and nominations
- 1992, Mythopoeic Awards, Adult Fantasy category, finalist.[4]
Release details
- 1991, U.S., Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates, LLC), ISBN-10: 0312851375, ISBN-13: 978-0312851378, March 1991, hardcover
- 1992, U.S., Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates, LLC), St. Martin's Press, ISBN-10: 0812544501, ISBN-13: 978-0812544503, April 1992, softcover
- 2006, U.S., Firebird Books (Penguin Group), ISBN-10: 014240652X, ISBN-13: 978-0142406526, August 3, 2006, softcover
References
- ↑ Pamela Dean interviewed by Mary Anne Mohanraj, Interview: Pamela Dean, Strange Horizons, 2001-01-01. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
- ↑ Felix Strates, The Annotated Tam Lin, The Annotated Dean, 2002-02-10. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.
- ↑ Pamela Dean, "Author's Note" in Tam Lin, Firebird Books, 2006-08-03, pg. 457, ISBN-13 978-0142406526.
- ↑ Mark R. Kelly, 1992 Mythopoeic Awards, The Locus Index to SF Awards, Locus Online (Locus Publications), 2000–2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-09.