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4.44 AVERAGE
4.44 AVERAGE
A nice, cohesive collection of stories that draws you deeper into the Sandman universe. The competing claims on an empty hell are entertaining, and the story of Charles Rowland is very Gaiman in its mix of the sinister and melancholy. The conclusion that a rational, understandable, purposeful hell is more abhorrent than an inexplicable one is a great theological point. It all feels like a prelude to something bigger, which is good because there's more to come.
This collection had a different feeling to it, which reflects the fact that it essentially takes place over like 2 days? Roughly, if time moves the same way in the Dreaming as it does in the waking world. But it was fascinating to see what exactly Lucifer decided to do with Hell and how that was done with the intention of screwing with Dream and the Dreaming.
I’m glad that Morpheus rescued Nada from Hell. That is a hell of a punishment for someone who essentially told Dream “no” so I’m glad that she was rescued and was able to move on to another life. Which is an interesting idea that she has been reborn in a different body now in Hong Kong.
I like the expansion of the universe that Gaiman has created here but it was a little off putting to suddenly come face to face with Thor, Loki and Odin. Although, I don’t know why particularly. It would make sense for other gods to be included.
I’m glad that Morpheus rescued Nada from Hell. That is a hell of a punishment for someone who essentially told Dream “no” so I’m glad that she was rescued and was able to move on to another life. Which is an interesting idea that she has been reborn in a different body now in Hong Kong.
I like the expansion of the universe that Gaiman has created here but it was a little off putting to suddenly come face to face with Thor, Loki and Odin. Although, I don’t know why particularly. It would make sense for other gods to be included.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This might be my favorite volume so far. Neil Gaiman thrives when he writes about mythology - Norse Mythology and American Gods are standouts. Here - he takes Western mythology for a spin - with Lucifer handing over the keys to hell to Dream. When Lucifer abdicates the throne of Hell, sending the damned back to earth, and turns the keys over to Dream. Dream doesn’t really want the property—he just wants to make amends with Nada - but a lot of other beings want hell, including demons, angels, fairies, and a ton of gods: Odin, Thor, Loki, Anubis, Bes, Bast, the Shinto storm god Susano-o-no-Mikoto, and the personifications of Order (a cardboard box carried by a genie) and Chaos (a little girl dressed like a clown). All the beings make their bid. One of these offers interests Dream greatly: a chance to rescue his lover Queen Nada from the consequences of his youthful anger. In the end, Dream goes with the choice that restores order, and what this order says about Western Christianity is horrifying.
And of course, in the end, Dream gets to reconcile with Nada. I still think he is a jerk for what he did to her but at least Nada has a chance at life again in the end.
And of course, in the end, Dream gets to reconcile with Nada. I still think he is a jerk for what he did to her but at least Nada has a chance at life again in the end.
Probably the best volume so far.
Chapter IV was the only one I really didn't enjoy. Everything else was great to read.
I love the illustrations by Kelley Jones. Better than Dringenberg in my opinion. Not a lot better, but still better.
Gaiman writing is superb as always all the way through.
Great read.
Chapter IV was the only one I really didn't enjoy. Everything else was great to read.
I love the illustrations by Kelley Jones. Better than Dringenberg in my opinion. Not a lot better, but still better.
Gaiman writing is superb as always all the way through.
Great read.
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've forgotten how many times I've read Season of Mists, though it's somewhere more than two and less than many. I've always been especially fond of it, and I was happy to find that as with the previous three volumes of Sandman, it's just grown richer in the span of time between my teens (when I first read it) and my thirties (now).
You've heard the expression about the gates of Hell being opened, but what if the gates of Hell are locked? Lucifer evicts his tenants, abdicates and gives the key to Morpheus. The demons want back in; various mythological creatures want the property given to them; but where do the souls from Hell go in the meantime? The story of a boy left behind at his boarding school during the holidays was probably my favorite part of all this imagining.