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A review by themothermorrigan
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances by Neil Gaiman
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