Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
This collection just felt like I was reading rough drafts and rough story ideas of what could go on to be fully fleshed stories. Many had potential but felt either out of place or plainly unfinished and unexplored. However, I'd like to highlight "The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories" and "Murder Mysteries." These two I thought were strong, and if you had to read one story from this book, make it "Murder Mysteries;" it was fantastic. If I could rate that story apart from the others it would take a five star rating easily.
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
I must admit I was quite disappointed by this book overall. Yes there are some real gems within its pages but many of the stories felt a little neglected and unfinished compared to his other work. The first few stories I thoroughly enjoyed including 'the Wedding Present' which was hidden within the introduction and the last two tales, Murder Mysteries and Snow, Glass, Apples, were brilliant. However the stories and poems in between left me unmoved and a little let down, given the high standard that Gaiman has set himself elsewhere.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
While it's hard to rate a book of short stories, overall Mr. Gaiman has produced stories that range from the delightful to the horrific to the mysterious. A worthwhile read especially during the spooky season since many fo these stories can be placed (in my opinion) in the horror/suspense genre.
There were some absolutely amazing stories in here. and there were also some that just didn't work for me. Overall though, I loved more often than I merely didn't enjoy. Mr. Gaiman, it was a pleasure, as always, to traipse around in your mind. Thank you, for all of the windows you leave, cracked and unlocked, by which to explore the wonderful expanse that is your imagination.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Over the past two years I decided to give Neil Gaiman a chance. I haven't loved every single book of his, but I did love enough of them to see that there is something about his writing that attracts me.
So I bought both of his books Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things around the same time. I chose Smoke and Mirrors based off the stories on the back.
Finishing the book, I can only say that a handful of the stories were interesting while the rest really didn't grab me. I understand that to make a buck he was sending out a lot of stories to Penthouse, SF Erotica, etc., so the themes are adult at times. Those were the stories I found lacking and truly not the best.
The good stories were ones like the Troll Bridge, Chivalry, the Snow White retelling... the fantasy and or supernatural ones.
I hope Fragile Things is a bit more akin to what I want to read. Nevertheless, if you love Neil, this would be the book for you.
So I bought both of his books Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things around the same time. I chose Smoke and Mirrors based off the stories on the back.
Finishing the book, I can only say that a handful of the stories were interesting while the rest really didn't grab me. I understand that to make a buck he was sending out a lot of stories to Penthouse, SF Erotica, etc., so the themes are adult at times. Those were the stories I found lacking and truly not the best.
The good stories were ones like the Troll Bridge, Chivalry, the Snow White retelling... the fantasy and or supernatural ones.
I hope Fragile Things is a bit more akin to what I want to read. Nevertheless, if you love Neil, this would be the book for you.
I didn't like all of the stories, but I really liked several and appreciated them all... and the Introduction, which included another story and an explanation of the origin of each story, was very cool.
Not my favorite neil Gaiman book.
Still well written. Just did not enjoy the stort that much
Still well written. Just did not enjoy the stort that much