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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
Oh my god, that ending. who will die????
This is another book in the series that follows a few short stories where Morpheus isn't a main character but his realm or others of the Endless play a certain role in each story. We follow a lot of different people from different worlds and realms stranded at the "world's end" inn while they're waiting for a reality storm to pass. and they're all sharing their stories. the art for each story was different and unique and worked really well for that story!
This is another book in the series that follows a few short stories where Morpheus isn't a main character but his realm or others of the Endless play a certain role in each story. We follow a lot of different people from different worlds and realms stranded at the "world's end" inn while they're waiting for a reality storm to pass. and they're all sharing their stories. the art for each story was different and unique and worked really well for that story!
The story begins with Brant Tucker, and his co-worker Charlene Mooney being involved in a car crash. As he staggers out of the car and helps the injured Charlene, he realizes that he is being directed to a building by a hedgehog! This building, rather than being your regular pub, this is one of four inns that travellers are able to take shelter in when there are reality storms in the fabric between worlds.
They are welcomed into the inn, and their injuries are dealt with. Soon after the other guests who have sought shelter, start to tell each other stories. These tales vary from the historic, set in Europe in the past on a cargo ship. The fantastical, a boy who becomes a man who becomes a president, to the unreal with faeries and the macabre with another on a necropolis city that deals with death. Each story is linked by a scene in the inn, before the next character takes up the challenge of a new account.
Brilliantly illustrated as normal, the sandman books are a pleasure to read, whilst being dark and edgy enough to be unsettling too. These collection feel more cohesive too, as it all takes place in the inn, then ranges far and wide with the yarns. What is cleverly done is that each of these separate stories has been illustrated by a different artist, so they feel like they are coming from a different narrator. Quality graphic novel from Gaiman, as ever.
They are welcomed into the inn, and their injuries are dealt with. Soon after the other guests who have sought shelter, start to tell each other stories. These tales vary from the historic, set in Europe in the past on a cargo ship. The fantastical, a boy who becomes a man who becomes a president, to the unreal with faeries and the macabre with another on a necropolis city that deals with death. Each story is linked by a scene in the inn, before the next character takes up the challenge of a new account.
Brilliantly illustrated as normal, the sandman books are a pleasure to read, whilst being dark and edgy enough to be unsettling too. These collection feel more cohesive too, as it all takes place in the inn, then ranges far and wide with the yarns. What is cleverly done is that each of these separate stories has been illustrated by a different artist, so they feel like they are coming from a different narrator. Quality graphic novel from Gaiman, as ever.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A wonderful collection of short stories. Better read in spurts than all at once.
An enjoyable set of varied tales (often featuring cameos by familiar characters) told by varied characters from varied worlds who meet in the Inn at Worlds End. But ditto Charlene and her critique of the sexist nature of the tales. And the end is a nice tease into volume 9.
Part of me wants to downrate some of these books because while all of them are amazing some are more amazing than others, and the stream of 5 star reviews can get tedious.
As I mentioned in my review for Brief Lives, we've passed Act III, scene iii, and that means there's no where else to go but see this to the end. Rather than race to that point, Gaiman and co take a step back and lay into the foreshadowing, character development of secondary characters, and the nature of what types of stories get told and why. His short stories are always top notch and here there's no exception. Travelers trapped at an inn during a storm swap tales they have heard and of their lives, tales that reveal things about themselves or their worlds that they might not realize they are divulging. Good stuff all around.
As I mentioned in my review for Brief Lives, we've passed Act III, scene iii, and that means there's no where else to go but see this to the end. Rather than race to that point, Gaiman and co take a step back and lay into the foreshadowing, character development of secondary characters, and the nature of what types of stories get told and why. His short stories are always top notch and here there's no exception. Travelers trapped at an inn during a storm swap tales they have heard and of their lives, tales that reveal things about themselves or their worlds that they might not realize they are divulging. Good stuff all around.
Although the stories are fun and interesting, this collection suffers a bit for lack of Morpheus. I prefer the arcs that feature him and the Endless and the humans they touch. (And I want to tell past-Neil that mentioning the fact that all the stories are about men and based around "boys' stories" doesn't quite make up for the lack of compelling female characters.) Still, an enjoyable bunch of thought-provoking stories.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Love these short story anthologies, they're great.