Tam Lin (1991)

Tam Lin is a 1991 contemporary fantasy novel by United States author Pamela Dean, who based it on the traditional Scottish border ballad "Tam Lin".

Plot introduction

The protagonist of Tam Lin is Janet Carter. Written in the indirect third person, from Carter's point of view, the novel is set during her years as a student in the early 1970s at the fictional Blackstock College in Minnesota. The characters include her fellow students, professors at the college, her family, and a 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".

Characters

Janet Carter - The protagonist of the story and daughter of an English professor

Molly DuBois - A college roommate.

Christina - Another college roommate.

Nicholas Tooley - A Classics major who dates Janet.

Thomas Lane - The famous "Tam Lin" of the ballad.

Robin Armin - A Classics major who is close with Nick.

Professor Medeous - Head of the Classics Department.

Melinda Wolfe - A Classics professor and Janet's first study adviser.

Victoria Thompson - A campus ghost from the late 19th century.

Danny Chin - Janet's friend from childhood.

Major themes

Tam Lin is a late 20th-century urban fantasy or fantasy of manners. The story touches on themes including college education, sexuality, contraception, abortion and pregnancy. Dean has referred to this novel as a "love poem" to "my college, and ultimately to the study of English literature."

Awards and nominations

1992, Mythopoeic Awards, Adult Fantasy category, finalist.

Release details

1991, U.S., Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates), ISBN 0-312-85137-5, ISBN 978-0-312-85137-8, March 1991, hardcover

1992, U.S., Tor Books (Tom Doherty Associates), St. Martin's Press, ISBN 0-8125-4450-1, ISBN 978-0-8125-4450-3, April 1992, paperback

2006, U.S., Firebird Books (Penguin Group), ISBN 0-14-240652-X, ISBN 978-0-14-240652-6, August 3, 2006, paperback