My hero….
13 October 2013
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Fortunately the Milk, Neil Gaiman, Neverwhere, The Marquis de Carabas, The Sandman
Neil Gaiman – what a legend! I already was prepared to adore him from afar loving virtually everything that he writes but following today he’s gone even further up the adoration ladder, in fact he’s beyond the ladder (there’s a book title in there somewhere!)
Anyway, this weekend has just become officially awesome. I went this afternoon to see a reading of Fortunately the Milk by Neil Gaiman, whilst I admit that this book is not aimed at me I was so looking forward to going and seeing Gaiman and he certainly doesn’t disappoint. I had no idea what to expect as I’ve never been to a reading before! But we were treated to a short introduction followed by a reading of the first two or three chapters of FtM, Q&A and then what turned into a mega book signing!
Basically he’s a great narrator. Plus he tells such wonderful little stories about where he came up with the inspiration for some of his stories together with answering questions with real warmth and feeling, relating previous experiences and basically simply charming the audience. On top of this he doesn’t rush through the signings – he makes everyone’s dedication personal and unique, takes time for photos and draws little characters galore! Okay, it was a long wait in queue but he was still there signing away when I left and chatting easily with people – like I said a hero!
So, I learned that:
- next year (don’t know the release date) there will be six more Sandman novels, one released every two months, prequels to the original Sandman and giving the story of Morpheus, before his capture – and why he was so easily caught (sorry, Gaiman gave a much more eloquent description of this than I just did!
- There are going to be a series of novels (I think 3?) in which we will again be able to read about the Marquis de Carabas – can’t wait for those – and more about London Below – particular mention to the Shepherds of Shepherds Bush was made
- I’m sorry but I’ve forgotten any other news because my brain went to mush.
- and, I didn’t ask any questions because I was just too nervous – I so wanted to ask about The Ocean at the End of the Lane but I just totally wimped out
A photo of my signed book and a question – would it be silly to sleep with this book underneath my pillow! (Probably more uncomfortable than silly)
The conclusion: Gaiman = gushing, fangirlyness. Plus he’s completely spoiled me now for any future book readings!
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
14 July 2013
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Neil Gaiman, The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Just finished reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman which I loved, enough that it gave me goose pimples and tears in my eyes!
This is only a short story, like a snippet of memory from childhood when you think everything is possible and anything can pretty much be something else. The underneath of your kitchen table is a fort, the tree at the bottom of the garden is Nottingham Forest and the pond in the farmyard at the bottom of the lane is an ocean. What I loved about this story is it makes you think back. There’s always one perfect summer from your past, you can recall being on holiday, sitting on the beach eating sandwiches and sausage rolls, everything tasting a little as though it had been seasoned with sand grains, and you still believed in the impossible. You wanted to explore that rock pool and you believed the caves to your back might have ghosts, smugglers from the past or maybe something more sinister. This is what this story captures for me and perhaps that’s why I still love to read books like this because it keeps that small grain of something special alive inside. As you grow older you forget the stories you created and lived in, those weren’t fairies at the bottom of the garden and of course you can’t really do magic! Not to mention the world seemed so much bigger – when you revisit the places you used to live and play they’re not the same as you remember somehow. That field is just a field – it’s not the size of a continent any more. This story reawakens some of those memories – or at least it did for me.
The tale is told in a flashback. A man revisiting memories from his past. We jump back a number of years to a young boy who lives in one of those ramshackle houses that no longer seem to exist. Bits added on and no particular order. This young boy lives in a world of books and imagination, which makes him into something of an oddity and probably not the most popular boy at school – a fact that is revealed by the absence of attendees at his seventh birthday party. But he’s happy, he has his books and his kitten for company, until a lodger comes to stay and starts a string of events that turn things upside down for a while.
What I love about this book is that whilst it’s fairly short the author’s use of words bring the world to life for me. I can picture the house and the countryside, the farm and even the pond. Granted my imagination might convey something completely different from the next reader but I think that’s part of the magic of this story. It will be unique for each reader. I really enjoyed seeing the world through a 7 year old’s eyes. Gaiman has managed to reach back and give this a child’s perspective. When you read you can see the truth behind what is really taking place but only momentarily before the world shimmers and you’re back inside the fantasy again.
At times quite sinister, certainly the varmints turn into something very creepy not to mention Ursula Monkton – the nanny from hell! The whole scene where the young boy is unable to get beyond the confines of his home and garden, like he’s trapped – is it just that Ursula is a regular nanny, protecting him and keeping him from trouble or is she keeping him trapped and exactly how does she manage to be everywhere at once! She really has got eyes in the back of her head.
Evocative of lots of things all rolled into one and playing on superstition, folklore and myth the tale is beautifully told.
I’m not going to elaborate further. All I can say is that I loved this and hopefully that comes across here. And, I don’t think this is just some ‘Neil-Gaiman-can’t-do-anything-wrong-hero-worship’ type of review because frankly I don’t ‘love’ everything that he’s written. Personally though I enjoyed this as much as The Graveyard Book and Neverwhere and it will be one of those books that I will pick up again and again. I think that if you want a little flashback, to be taken back to an age when things held magic then you should give this a go. Who knows what will happen…
Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman
Just finished reading Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman which is a selection of short stories ranging from retold fairy stories to whimsical tales to twisted and dark mystery and speculative science fiction.
I don’t tend to read a lot of short stories or short story collections. I think in the past the fact that they’re so short leaves me feeling disconnected with the characters as though we don’t have time to form a proper friendship or get to know each others little whims. That being said it has been a bit of an eye opening experience for me in a number of ways.
I quite like that I can pick up and start a story and finish it in one short sitting. On the other hand – the fact that I finish the story so quickly leaves me with that slightly bereft feeling that you have at the end of any book – and times this by the number of stories in the book = not the best feeling in the world.
However, I also like the way that the stories make me feel whimsical – it’s a bit like being a child again where stories were read to you at night, and usually the stories were of a size to read in one sitting = a good feeling – and times that by the number of stories in the book.
Also, I was thinking about it and graphic novels are short stories really (well, some of them are) – and yet I think I probably enjoy them more because they’re illustrated. Not sure what that says about me really so I’m still thinking about that.
So, the short story (actually no pun was intentional) is that I’m not totally sure yet what side of the fence I’m sitting on with short stories. I think the main issue I have is that when I’m reading a longer novel it feels like I have this purpose, I constantly go to pick up my book and continue from where I’ve left off and I think that’s the thing I miss with these mini tales. But, what I did to counterbalance this was read another novel at the same time which sort of worked. Perhaps that’s the trick – to just read the odd short story here and there in between your other book?
Anyway, Smoke and Mirrors.
I’m not going to go through a lengthy description of all the stories. There’s plenty here to appeal to a range of different tastes. I think my favourites were definitely the starting and concluding tales: Chivalry and Snow, Glass Apples. These were followed by Don’t Ask Jack, Shoggoth’s Old Peculiar, The Sweeper of Dreams and When We Went to See the End of the World by Dawnie Morningside age 11 1/2.
Was this my favourite Gaiman. No. Did I like it. Yes. I didn’t love it but I think that’s due to my own natural tendency to shy away from short stories. Will I try out more short stories in the future: Yes, in fact I’m already doing so – Unidentified Funny Objects edited b Alex Shvartsman.
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman (Preludes and Nocturnes)
28 November 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Neil Gaiman, Preludes and Nocturnes, The Sandman
Just read the first of the Sandman (actually I already read No.3 already but I don’t think this adversely affects the storyline as it was almost like a standalone).
The Sandman is really my first foray into graphic novels and I think I’m probably spoiled now!
Preludes and Nocturnes, put basically, sees Dream being captured by a bunch of demon worshippers who were aiming to ensnare Death but miscalculated and instead got Dream. They keep him trapped in a cellar for years and years (basically as they all become victims of their own mortality). Eventually, he escapes, his dream world is ruined and he no longer has the tools of his trade. And, so begins his quest. to regain his throne and restore his dream realm.
This is such a perfect combination. Gaiman, who, lets face it, can do no wrong, lets his wicked imagination run riot and his amazing stories are brought stunningly to life with the most amazing images. Frankly I find myself taking a lot longer to read the stories than I should because I’m totally diverted by the imagery. The graphics are brilliant and are a perfect compliment to Gainman’s wriring. The other thing that really strikes you is that in portraying the story this way there’s probably much more violence and blood than you actually realise – some of it really quite dramatic but it seems more acceptable somehow in this format.
I love the way that we have gods and myths, even aliens, all mixed up with the darker side of human nature. I think I’m going to like Morpheus – he’s an odd character, he’s not perfect is he? For example, he wanted revenge when he broke free from his captors – and who wouldn’t in his circumstances – but it shows a certain side to his character, a bit human really even though he isn’t human. He also didn’t know how to retrieve his ruby from the crazy madman who was trying to cause the end of the world. And we also met his rather quirky sister Death who defies all the stereotypes.
All in all a brilliant start to this series of novels. I think my favourite – and you have to pick one really (it would be rude not to) was the foray into hell. Brilliantly depicted and with the little duelling game at the end of the story where Morpheus takes on the demon who has his mask! (That demon was freaky looking – two mouths, I thought I’d gone cross eyed for a moment there).
Definitely recommend.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Just finished reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I loved this book – now, I genuinely don’t know whether it’s just that I’m made up with Neil Gaiman who seems able to do no wrong for me or not but I just fell right into this story and was absorbed until the end. Gaiman has such a great way with words and manages to tell a fairy story that is different and aimed at an adult audience.
Stardust brings to us Tristan Thorn. Tristan was born as a result of one night’s passion between Dunstan Thorn and a not entirely human slave he meets one night when he goes to the Market over the wall. Nine months later Dunstan receives a little bundle of job – left, almost, on his doorstep.
The Village of Wall is a sheltered and olde world Victorian village with old fashioned ways and customs. The Village is nestled right up alongside The Wall (for which it is probably named) beyond which are strange comings and goings. Beyond the Wall is where Tristan must go to bring back a falling star for his lady love. He’s about to embark on a strange adventure with no end of imagination. If you can imagine it, it’s probably in this book.
I love the way that Gaiman brings together a fairy story without it seeming like a cliche. We have Wall – and beyond we have this strange world where anything can happen. Just like in your childhood stories – Once upon a time, over the hill and far away…. It’s just brilliant. Puts me in mind of Norrell and Strange – where the strange world of the fey once was known to us but the paths to it have now been lost – the paths beyond the wall remain but few tread there without a purpose. Once every nine years a market appears in the meadow beyond the wall and at this point the residents of the village mingle with the strange and unknown.
This is only a short book and yet Gaiman manages to make us care about the people he writes about. I’m not quite sure how he does this. There are no lengthy explanations, no great wordy descriptions or info dumps and yet quite clearly we have a firm idea of the place and a distinct liking for the characters that populate it – whether they are make believe or not and whether they only play a fleeting part or a more substantial role. Tristan is decidedly naive but is quite refreshingly honest and likeable. Yvaine (the fallen star) is brusque and sharp tongued – although I think anybody would be a bit naffed off under similar circumstances.
Alongside this we have two other stories running – which are all about to coincide. We have the Lilim. Three ancient witch like creatures who are older than the hills. They seek the star for the purity of her heart which will renew their youth. We also have the remaining heirs of Stormhold – in a desperate race to find the fallen star first and retrieve the Topaz she carries which will give them the right to rule.
The action is fairly fast paced and brings to us creatures and myths along the way, the unicorn and the lion, flying pirates who seek lightning storms and talking trees to name but a few.
There’s plenty more to read about and is all very entertaining. It did put me in mind of The Book of Lost Things -not that the stories are the same but they’re both about young men who become embroiled in a fantastic journey and also they’re both coming of age stories.
I loved it and would happily read it again. Also, the book I was reading had a short story that Gaiman wrote before Stardust, a story that starts with a young girl and seven magpies. The book also included an interview which I really enjoyed reading – it just contained intriguing little snippets – like the copper beech tree in the story being created for Tori Amos. I only hope that one day Gaiman will return and finish his magpie story.
I’m including this in my RIP event. It’s fantasy and although I admit it isn’t really dark fantasy it is adult and there are some definite elements that could warrant it’s inclusion. I’m thinking of the particular parts of the story that focus on the witch – who isn’t exactly a sweet and cuddly character!
Books and travelling with Lynn 