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4.55 AVERAGE
4.55 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
slow-paced
I'm torn between giving this awesome book four and five stars. So I'm calling this a 4.5! As I've emphasized approximately five thousand times, I think Neil Gaiman is amazing. I've enjoyed everything of his that I've read, and I've read a substantial portion of what he's written. The Sandman continues the trend in spectacular fashion.
I was a little wary about starting this behemoth right in the middle of a rather brutal semester, but decided I could work away at it slowly when I had some time. However, I ended up reading the vast majority of its 600+ pages over the weekend, and finished today. Not quite the time investment I was expecting from such a huge volume. Not only are the stories fantastic, but they are compulsively readable. I didn't want to put it down, except possibly when I didn't think my arms could withstand the sheer weight of the book any longer. I found myself continually thinking, "Well, just one more story/chapter/volume..." In addition to the fantastic story, this edition is beautifully illustrated. Overall, a captivating read.
The only reason I didn't end up going with a full five stars, and rounded down to 4 from my previously mentioned 4.5 is because I had a tough time with the second volume, dealing with the Collectors. I understand that section was meant to be disturbing and challenging, but it was just so gruesome and so disturbing that I found myself feeling a little reluctant to keep reading. That was really the only time I felt that way, and I was sort of disappointed that my fangirl-esque reading experience took that turn. It was still a really well written section, it was just tough to read (which, again, I know was intentional). I know it seems harsh to drop the book as a whole down a star just based on one section, but it ends up amounting to about a third of the book, so it's hard to ignore. Still an amazing book as a whole, but I think I've made that pretty clear.
I was a little wary about starting this behemoth right in the middle of a rather brutal semester, but decided I could work away at it slowly when I had some time. However, I ended up reading the vast majority of its 600+ pages over the weekend, and finished today. Not quite the time investment I was expecting from such a huge volume. Not only are the stories fantastic, but they are compulsively readable. I didn't want to put it down, except possibly when I didn't think my arms could withstand the sheer weight of the book any longer. I found myself continually thinking, "Well, just one more story/chapter/volume..." In addition to the fantastic story, this edition is beautifully illustrated. Overall, a captivating read.
The only reason I didn't end up going with a full five stars, and rounded down to 4 from my previously mentioned 4.5 is because I had a tough time with the second volume, dealing with the Collectors. I understand that section was meant to be disturbing and challenging, but it was just so gruesome and so disturbing that I found myself feeling a little reluctant to keep reading. That was really the only time I felt that way, and I was sort of disappointed that my fangirl-esque reading experience took that turn. It was still a really well written section, it was just tough to read (which, again, I know was intentional). I know it seems harsh to drop the book as a whole down a star just based on one section, but it ends up amounting to about a third of the book, so it's hard to ignore. Still an amazing book as a whole, but I think I've made that pretty clear.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm so hooked on this series. (As always, a latecomer.) The story lines are interesting and the title character is 3 dimensional, unlike most comic book "heroes." I put myself into a reading coma a couple of days ago trying to get through the whole thing. Plus, the book weighs about 20 pounds and I cut off the circulation to my legs. All worth it for a good read!
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Review Book 4:
I honestly just listened to The Sandman because of the talented voice actors. I have never read or listened to any of Neil Gaiman's work.
However, after listening to The Sandman, I definitely fell in love with this complex and intriguing universe, which has mythological characters, DC universe and Shakespeare.
I loved the layout of every chapter and the lessons interwoven within the story.
I will definitely read more of Neil Gaiman after The Sandman.
I honestly just listened to The Sandman because of the talented voice actors. I have never read or listened to any of Neil Gaiman's work.
However, after listening to The Sandman, I definitely fell in love with this complex and intriguing universe, which has mythological characters, DC universe and Shakespeare.
I loved the layout of every chapter and the lessons interwoven within the story.
I will definitely read more of Neil Gaiman after The Sandman.
Very true to the original Sandman series, and produced/acted superbly. James McAvoy did a phenomenal job as Morpheus. However, the storylines are at times, just as deeply disturbing, gruesome (especially the violent abuse of female bodies throughout - very gratuitous), and chilling to the bone as the series, and I can't wholly love or condone them. Standouts for me were "A Hope in Hell", "The Sound of Her Wings", "Men of Good Fortune", "A Dream of A Thousand Cats", and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Word of caution: don't listen to "24 Hours" while eating...
Wow, what a transformation! Great comic book series to a wonderful audio play. I had forgotten just how dark some of these stories got - yikes! True horror tales. Overall, wonderfully produced and acted, worth the listen as a standalone work apart from the original source material.