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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I loved the Graveyard Book so I was hoping for some of the same from this collection of stories. I wasn't disappointed. I was actually pleasantly surprised that there were a few stories that differed from the mystical feel that what I've read of Neil Gaiman's books have. The Price was my favorite story but it isn't a warm fuzzy one so beware. I wouldn't recommend this collection to young kids or to those who want a light fun read.
There was a slight sense of deja vu reading Gaiman's collection of stories targeted at younger readers since some of the stories were found in Smoke and Mirrors as well.
Enjoyable read. My review: http://obsessivebookworm.wordpress.com/2012/08/01/book-review-m-is-for-magic/
Although I did not love every story in this collection, I did not hate any of them either. Each story had its own enjoyable aspects. My favorite story was "The Witch's Headstone". I may be biased because I loved "The Graveyard Book", and any story involving Nobody Owens is always welcome. Other stories that I enjoyed were "October in the Chair", "Chivalry", and "The Price".
I've been having a hard time getting in time for reading, a readers block if you will. I find that picking up something intended for a younger audience helps me get back on track. I enjoy Neil Gaiman and grabbed this book from the YA section in the library. I had previously read many of these short stories from other collections but they were just as good the second time. If you've got a young person in your life that you would like to get a book for, this one is quite nice.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
These stories are a mixed bag but like Gaiman says in his intro, if you don't like one there's another just around the corner.
More annoying though is after buying it I realised I already have pretty much all the stories in one form or another. While I applaud Gaiman for curating a collection of his stories for the younger reader, it would have been nice if this was made more obvious on the book itself.
Still, it's been a while since I read them. Troll Bridge has always worked for me, infused with a melancholy sense of loss. Chivalry works nicely as a bizarre and comic tale and How to talk to girls at parties showcases his skills perfectly. Reading October in the chair reminded me heavily of the dream like hazy unreality of Ray Bradbury (probably my favourite short story writer) so it was interesting to see he dedicated this one to Bradbury. Well done Neil.
A good bunch but check you've not already got them.
More annoying though is after buying it I realised I already have pretty much all the stories in one form or another. While I applaud Gaiman for curating a collection of his stories for the younger reader, it would have been nice if this was made more obvious on the book itself.
Still, it's been a while since I read them. Troll Bridge has always worked for me, infused with a melancholy sense of loss. Chivalry works nicely as a bizarre and comic tale and How to talk to girls at parties showcases his skills perfectly. Reading October in the chair reminded me heavily of the dream like hazy unreality of Ray Bradbury (probably my favourite short story writer) so it was interesting to see he dedicated this one to Bradbury. Well done Neil.
A good bunch but check you've not already got them.
I liked this but I also think that I am not the right audience for this book. There were stories I know I read before but didn't mind reading again. They're good stories, just not for my personal taste.
