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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Somehow I didn't realize this was a compilation of previous work, so I was very disappointed to see I read most of them already. The two I didn't read before were okay, but not worth getting this book when I already have the other books he took the stories from.
Gaiman is such a good writer for children. These stories have a lovely full range of creepy and heart-warming; the collection includes the inimitable Sunbird, as well as the story that provides the genesis for The Graveyard Book. If you don't like Gaiman, this is the collection to try anyways -- wry and gentle and a little bit alarming all at once.
I liked some stories more, others less. The troll & blackbirds, girls & the headstones most.
I love Neil Gaiman. I love that I never know exactly what to expect, other than that it will probably be good. I enjoyed these stories, pretty much every one. Some more than others, but still. Enjoyed the book.
A fun collection of Neil Gaiman's short stories. I listened to the audio book, and it's always so much better to hear him tell the stories. I liked hearing what stories were written for whom. I'm currently listening to another collection of his short stories at home so there were some double ups with this one, but there were enough different stories to keep me entertained with both collections.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
Fun short story collection. I don't know at what age group this is targeted, but probably early teen/tween.
I hadn’t realized how many of these stories I’d already heard in other collections. They do come off a bit differently in a different order and out together in a different way. I did the audiobook and this one seemed a bit overproduced to me...
Neil Gaiman tells us ten stories, some based in fairytale or legend, others on science fiction, and others on childhood fears. The tales succeed in capturing the reader's imagination, and I'm happy to recommend this collection to any Gaiman fans.
A few critiques: almost all of the stories in this anthology are also in "Smoke and Mirrors". I don't know how authors usually go about making collections, but I found it annoying that so many of the stories had already been covered in another book.
Also, for a short story collection, "M is for Magic" seemed rather short. Not *standard* short, at 260 pages, just short for an anthology. I found it in the YA section, so maybe that's why. Anyways, it was still an enjoyable book and it wet my appetite for more Gaiman.
A few critiques: almost all of the stories in this anthology are also in "Smoke and Mirrors". I don't know how authors usually go about making collections, but I found it annoying that so many of the stories had already been covered in another book.
Also, for a short story collection, "M is for Magic" seemed rather short. Not *standard* short, at 260 pages, just short for an anthology. I found it in the YA section, so maybe that's why. Anyways, it was still an enjoyable book and it wet my appetite for more Gaiman.
Not my favorite Neil Gaiman. As with all short story collections, some of these really captivated me and some were less satisfying. All of them are creative and fantastical, and I don't regret reading it, but I wouldn't recommend it to a friend when there are better options by the same author.