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carlyxdeexx's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of short stories interspersed with a smattering of poems. If you don’t like poetry, you’ll probably like Gaiman’s poetry—it tends toward narrative and all you really need to wrap your mind around are the line breaks. There’s a DOCTOR WHO story in here that I really enjoyed, as well as an AMERICAN GODS spin-off story that was wonderful. “The Sleeper and the Spindle” is in here—that was great, too. As much as I may not have fallen head over heels for every story, I can always count on Neil Gaiman to keep things interesting, and I truly love how much he loves introductions—the book’s intro includes an intro for each story/poem and it’s just. Ugh. I agree with his positive opinion of intros. Maybe because I grew up reading lots of Stephen King and King also adores intros.
His discussion of triggers in the intro is nuanced. It does echo a bit of harmful rhetoric (i.e. the world is a triggering place, get used to it), but the message I drew from it is that though life and what we consume will inevitably surprise and perhaps scare us, we will carry on. And when we can warn others, we should. Not in an attempt to shield them, but to help them prepare to face it all. And perhaps “the world is a triggering place” is its own big warning. Going into any story blind will always be a risk. Gaiman’s approach is always one of compassion, and I think that applies here.
I give the collection a 4.5 rounded down, and will continue to wait for the opportunity to ask Neil Gaiman to become my unofficial uncle.
His discussion of triggers in the intro is nuanced. It does echo a bit of harmful rhetoric (i.e. the world is a triggering place, get used to it), but the message I drew from it is that though life and what we consume will inevitably surprise and perhaps scare us, we will carry on. And when we can warn others, we should. Not in an attempt to shield them, but to help them prepare to face it all. And perhaps “the world is a triggering place” is its own big warning. Going into any story blind will always be a risk. Gaiman’s approach is always one of compassion, and I think that applies here.
I give the collection a 4.5 rounded down, and will continue to wait for the opportunity to ask Neil Gaiman to become my unofficial uncle.
katmiranda's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Admittedly it took a while for me to finish this book of short stories as compared to when I read Philip K. Dick’s collection of short stories “Minority Report”. I felt like I had to take my time with each piece, as Gaiman’s pieces were very atmospheric and full of character. I also didn’t read it in order, as I moved through the book depending on how much time I had to spare to read. Although I didn’t love every single piece, there were plenty of standouts, and overall I was surprised at how much I did enjoy reading it. I also liked the fact that you could read the piece then go back to the front of the book to read his little blurbs or reflections about said piece. I wasn’t fond of the poems; I loved the Doctor Who story Nothing O’Clock, Orange, Click Clack the Rattlebag, A Calendar of Tales. I absolutely adored The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains”.
beelzebub24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
themothermorrigan's review against another edition
4.0
I loved most of them. The poetry was kinda meh but there is not much of it and basically, all the prose was good to great. I laughed and cried and felt my heart warm up. I have not read any of the most popular Gaiman books so maybe this is so much worse compared to them but as it stands right now, I can wholeheartedly recommend. (A lot of people mention there is a lot of weird sex stuff. I don't know if it's me being on the asexual spectrum or reading [b:Almost Transparent Blue|14287|Almost Transparent Blue|Ryū Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348961366l/14287._SX50_.jpg|816635] around the same time but it didn't seem like it).
Individual stories
Making a Chair - Mostly uninteresting poem; liked the ending. 2/5
A Lunar Labyrinth - I would honestly like to read this as a longer story, fully unravel the mystery. Fun, not overly memorable 3/5
The Thing About Cassandra - Starts mildly interesting (or so I thought). I had to go back and reread to make sure I understood. Brilliant. 5/5
Down to a Sunless Sea - Beautifully written. I cried. 4/5
The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains - Interesting to read. Hoped it would lead to more but enjoyed it enough. 4/5
My Last Landlady - Not very memorable but reminds me of Hot Fuzz. 3/5
Adventure Story - Funny. 3/5
Orange - Not necessarily a compelling story (2-3/5), the format is novel and really enjoyable; therefore 5/5
A Calendar of Tales - I feel like each of the months should get its own review - some I loved some I've already forgotten about. However, a lot of my favourite moments are in this particular "story". 5/5
The Case of Death and Honey - The ending did it for me. 4/5
The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury - This one sits somewhere between a story, a tribute and an essay. I think Bradbury would like it. 3/5 or 5/5, depending on what you expect.
Jerusalem - I've read something similar before. Nothing notable. 2/5
Click-Clack the Rattlebag - Very Ray Bradbury-esk. The most horror-inducing. 5/5
An Invocation of Incuriosity - I feel like this should be a collection of stories. It doesn't fully work for me as it is. Liked the name(s). 3/5
And Weep, Like Alexander - It's funny and unsettling. 3/5
Nothing O'Clock - I'd like the mystery aspect to last somewhat longer. 4/5
Diamonds and Pearls: A Fairy Tale - I know, I know. But no. 1/5
The Return of the Thin White Duke - It could've been something. 3/5
Feminine Endings - I like the (non)stillness. The broader concept is overdone though and deserves further exploration. The specific concept is great. 4/5
Observing the Formalities - I liked the concept. The execution is non-memorable. I think prose could work better. 3/5
The Sleeper and the Spindle - These are the kinds of fairytales I love and, as a fairytale, it's great. 5/5
Witch Work - Reminds me of songs. 2/5
In Relig Odhráin - Subjectively my favourite poem but that is because of its topic. 3/5
Black Dog - Good mystery. Remembered Poe. 5/5
EDIT: I also want to say the ramble about trigger warnings is unnecessary. I think I understand where NG is coming from but... no. Don't. 0/5
Individual stories
Making a Chair - Mostly uninteresting poem; liked the ending. 2/5
A Lunar Labyrinth - I would honestly like to read this as a longer story, fully unravel the mystery. Fun, not overly memorable 3/5
The Thing About Cassandra - Starts mildly interesting (or so I thought). I had to go back and reread to make sure I understood. Brilliant. 5/5
Down to a Sunless Sea - Beautifully written. I cried. 4/5
The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains - Interesting to read. Hoped it would lead to more but enjoyed it enough. 4/5
My Last Landlady - Not very memorable but reminds me of Hot Fuzz. 3/5
Adventure Story - Funny. 3/5
Orange - Not necessarily a compelling story (2-3/5), the format is novel and really enjoyable; therefore 5/5
A Calendar of Tales - I feel like each of the months should get its own review - some I loved some I've already forgotten about. However, a lot of my favourite moments are in this particular "story". 5/5
The Case of Death and Honey - The ending did it for me. 4/5
The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury - This one sits somewhere between a story, a tribute and an essay. I think Bradbury would like it. 3/5 or 5/5, depending on what you expect.
Jerusalem - I've read something similar before. Nothing notable. 2/5
Click-Clack the Rattlebag - Very Ray Bradbury-esk. The most horror-inducing. 5/5
An Invocation of Incuriosity - I feel like this should be a collection of stories. It doesn't fully work for me as it is. Liked the name(s). 3/5
And Weep, Like Alexander - It's funny and unsettling. 3/5
Nothing O'Clock - I'd like the mystery aspect to last somewhat longer. 4/5
Diamonds and Pearls: A Fairy Tale - I know, I know. But no. 1/5
The Return of the Thin White Duke - It could've been something. 3/5
Feminine Endings - I like the (non)stillness. The broader concept is overdone though and deserves further exploration. The specific concept is great. 4/5
Observing the Formalities - I liked the concept. The execution is non-memorable. I think prose could work better. 3/5
The Sleeper and the Spindle - These are the kinds of fairytales I love and, as a fairytale, it's great. 5/5
Witch Work - Reminds me of songs. 2/5
In Relig Odhráin - Subjectively my favourite poem but that is because of its topic. 3/5
Black Dog - Good mystery. Remembered Poe. 5/5
EDIT: I also want to say the ramble about trigger warnings is unnecessary. I think I understand where NG is coming from but... no. Don't. 0/5
dunder_mifflin's review against another edition
2.0
eh. a few of the stories i enjoyed, a few of them i didn't like, the rest were somewhere in the middle.
anotherwomack's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
violetturtledove's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The title of this one is vaguely ironic to me because, although I understand the subject matter can be quite dark for some, to me Gaiman's writing is always a safe space. It's just pure magic, I thoroughly enjoyed each of these stories.
space_gaudet's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
itacuz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Purely, putting words together in a satisfying way, Gaiman stands out as one of the best. Not every story was a homerun, going to think about it forever sort of thing, but everything he writes touched some part of my soul.
I don't know how to say it better than that, dude's a good writer and if you haven't read him you should. Some of these stories build off of what he's already written so this may not be the place to start, but maybe just skip those. He has an explainer of where each story comes from in his forward, you can cross check there.
I don't know how to say it better than that, dude's a good writer and if you haven't read him you should. Some of these stories build off of what he's already written so this may not be the place to start, but maybe just skip those. He has an explainer of where each story comes from in his forward, you can cross check there.