Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman

69 reviews

leona's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Sandman was an interesting experience for me. I really loved these insightful and almost philosophical stories about love, hope and humanity. 

There are definitely moments of extreme horror and gore (think cannibalism, nails in hands, suicide and extreme self harm) particularly in the story 24 Hours, which is a chilling story revolving around magic used by the lonely and mistreated John Dee, previously an inmate at Arkham Asylum. (Yes, the same Arkham from Batman.) Some of the stories made me feel a bit sick or unsettled, this was one such story. 

My favourites in this first volume were the hell story and the final story with Dream's sister Death. I found them to be particularly touching and the thematic elements were addressed beautifully.

The 'duel' between Dream and the demon was original and interesting, finished with the impactful line 'I AM HOPE'. (Morpheus and Kelsier have some similarities apparently.) The idea that evil can always be banished by hopes and dreams prevails throughout these stories and it's brilliant. The Death story was also excellent - Dream seeks counselling from his lively and goth-clothed sister Death, who shows him the way she works. Despite her hard-work and compassion for the people she takes, humanity still fears and despises her. The scene where she comes for the baby was destroying.

 

I had watched the adaptation before attempting to read this first comic, which I actually think for the most part was a rather faithful adaptation. There were obviously a few casting changes and gender-swaps, but I don't think this had any impact on the effect of the stories told. But it is always interesting to see the original material, and I can understand why this series in particular has such a cult following of devoted fans. I mean, who doesn't love Neil Gaiman? This is practically where he started out.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading the Sandman and would definitely recommend it (to older readers and those who have read its content warnings), even to those who have watched the adaptations. I look forward to reading some more of the comics in future, and I assume they will only get darker, (we haven't even met the Corinthian yet!).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cannibalism, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, and Gore

Moderate: Death and Rape

Minor: Child death and Violence

inameitlater's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Very strong trigger warning for

"Calliope" as the rape scene in it has sound affects. "24 hours" is also tough as the violence has sound effects too. I personally could handle that better.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Rape, Animal cruelty, Violence, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Sexual violence, and Suicide

elizakay's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, and Gore

Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape

pagesofash's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Rape

Moderate: Murder, Gore, Child abuse, and Death

Minor: Self harm, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Transphobia

bernardblack's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

morpheus is very caleb coded, i love my friend sm, thank u caleb for showing me this. the art style makes my brain go brrrrrr

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Addiction, Body horror, Suicide attempt, Blood, Sexual content, Self harm, Violence, Suicide, Sexual violence, and Death

Moderate: Rape, Murder, Car accident, and Mental illness

nos_seren's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Violence, Gore, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, Homophobia, and Sexual content

Minor: Lesbophobia

Use of slurs

unibadger's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Murder, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Rape, Drug abuse, Lesbophobia, Child death, Death, Suicide, Self harm, Homophobia, Gun violence, Animal death, and Drug use

Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcoholism, and Death of parent

anna_the_veggy's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

even though i have already watched the sandman show, this was still pretty cool. it sounded like the audio to a film because there was a lot of background sounds and different voices. i got a bit bored towards the end when the main story line was over and we got these weird mini stories… dunno what they were for…

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Rape

philippmk's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Beautiful. Weird. Fantastic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Cursing, Blood, Lesbophobia, Gore, Violence, Death, Murder, and Self harm

Moderate: Drug abuse

Minor: Rape and Domestic abuse

atalea's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: Rape, Death, Suicide, Confinement, and Sexual content