Tam Lin (novel)

Tam Lin is a 1991 urban fantasy novel by Pamela Dean based on the traditional Scottish ballad Tam Lin (ballad).

Plot introduction (no spoilers)

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, lecturers at the college, her family, and one childhood friend. The plot combines the story of a young woman at college with a retelling of the traditional Scottish fairy ballad Tam Lin (ballad).

Main characters (no spoilers)

• Janet Carter is the protagonist.
• Molly is Janet's roommate.
• Christina is also Janet's roommate.
• Nicholas Tooley is a student.
• Thomas Lin is a student.
• Robert Armin is a student.
• Professor Medeous is head of the Classics Department.
• Melinda Wolfe is a Classics lecturer 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 whom she sees during her college vacations.

Themes (possible spoilers for general themes)

Tam Lin is a late 20th century urban fantasy. The story touches on feminist themes including birth control, pregnancy and abortion issues.

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. A partial annotation by Felix Strates.

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 passing of law allowing legal abortions in the U.S.

Blackstock College is partly physically based on Carleton College.

Awards and nominations

• Mythopeic Award finalist

Publication details

• 1991, Tom Doherty Associates, U.S., hardcover
• 2006, Firebird (Penguin), U.S., softcover

External links

• A partial annotation by Felix Strates.
• A site devoted to the ballad Tam Lin