This is a bit different than my other posts, as I am reviewing an author not a book. This is because Mr Neil Gaiman is quite different; to talk about his work is to talk about him. Let me explain.
Whenever I read something of his, I feel cheated. His writing has all the elements I require to be happy with a book. I mean he should be my favourite author: he writes dark tales, which I absolutely love, he has amazingly original ideas, he belongs in the fantasy scope of stories. But, but, but I feel something is missing.
I went to watch the Coraline movie and was amazed by the magic, the colour, the elongated subtle terror, the idea of the other mother. Talk about the nightmares, huh? When I watched it I didn't know it was based on a novel by Neil, I just knew the director – Henry Selick. Delighted, I discovered the book in the bookstore I was working and immediately started reading it. That was a really weird experience for me, because I usually do it the other way round. I only watch the movie before, if I don’t intend to ever read the book. Well, it wasn’t quite as magical as the movie. I felt let down.
I read The Graveyard Book, American Gods, The Wolves in the Walls, Smoke and Mirrors, Good Omens (co-authored by the amazing Terry Prachett),Stardust, the first two volumes of Sandman – Preludes & Nocturnes and The Doll’s House -, Death: The Time of your Life, Harlequin Valentine (ok, this one I Loved!), The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish.
That’s quite a lot for an author whose I books I don’t care for all that much. But I am fascinated by him. He has an amazing extrovert public persona; he seems so accessible and in sync with his readers. I love the fact that he is a bee-keeper (don’t ask me why, I don’t really like them). His voice is extraordinary, I cannot get enough of him talking and reading.
So what about his books? Well, American Gods seemed to me that it was too long. I would prefer to read the edited version. I believe there was a reason behind his editor’s premise to shorten it. It was a pleasant read, but it didn't excite me!
I really enjoyed the Sandman volumes but, again, nothing to make me wanna keep going. Well, Dream is awesome – he reminds me a bit of Elric, my big true love of my teens. And Death of course, who I also liked in her own story.
The Harlequin Valentine was absolutely amazing. This is the one work that made me want to plunge in its depths and never leave again.
I didn't hate any of them. But something is missing. Maybe it’s missing from me, and not his writing. I really don’t know. I'm really baffled by the fact that my favourite author doesn't write books that move me. That’s why I keep persisting. I keep on reading his stories. There has to be a broken link; and I want to fix it.
I would love some thoughts on this topic. Let me know if this ever happened to you.
Whenever I read something of his, I feel cheated. His writing has all the elements I require to be happy with a book. I mean he should be my favourite author: he writes dark tales, which I absolutely love, he has amazingly original ideas, he belongs in the fantasy scope of stories. But, but, but I feel something is missing.
I went to watch the Coraline movie and was amazed by the magic, the colour, the elongated subtle terror, the idea of the other mother. Talk about the nightmares, huh? When I watched it I didn't know it was based on a novel by Neil, I just knew the director – Henry Selick. Delighted, I discovered the book in the bookstore I was working and immediately started reading it. That was a really weird experience for me, because I usually do it the other way round. I only watch the movie before, if I don’t intend to ever read the book. Well, it wasn’t quite as magical as the movie. I felt let down.
I read The Graveyard Book, American Gods, The Wolves in the Walls, Smoke and Mirrors, Good Omens (co-authored by the amazing Terry Prachett),Stardust, the first two volumes of Sandman – Preludes & Nocturnes and The Doll’s House -, Death: The Time of your Life, Harlequin Valentine (ok, this one I Loved!), The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish.
That’s quite a lot for an author whose I books I don’t care for all that much. But I am fascinated by him. He has an amazing extrovert public persona; he seems so accessible and in sync with his readers. I love the fact that he is a bee-keeper (don’t ask me why, I don’t really like them). His voice is extraordinary, I cannot get enough of him talking and reading.
So what about his books? Well, American Gods seemed to me that it was too long. I would prefer to read the edited version. I believe there was a reason behind his editor’s premise to shorten it. It was a pleasant read, but it didn't excite me!
I really enjoyed the Sandman volumes but, again, nothing to make me wanna keep going. Well, Dream is awesome – he reminds me a bit of Elric, my big true love of my teens. And Death of course, who I also liked in her own story.
The Harlequin Valentine was absolutely amazing. This is the one work that made me want to plunge in its depths and never leave again.
I didn't hate any of them. But something is missing. Maybe it’s missing from me, and not his writing. I really don’t know. I'm really baffled by the fact that my favourite author doesn't write books that move me. That’s why I keep persisting. I keep on reading his stories. There has to be a broken link; and I want to fix it.
I would love some thoughts on this topic. Let me know if this ever happened to you.