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aceinit's review against another edition
4.0
I completed my third read of Dream Country today, and I'd forgotten how much I love this collection. Made up of a quartet of stand-alone stories, it is the perfect volume for newcomers to the universe of The Sandman to get started with. Those familiar with the series will come back to it again and again for the incredible storytelling, the elegant art, and the subtle yet profound foreshadowing of what unfolds in future volumes.
The stories found here are among Gaiman's best. Beginning with "Calliope," a haunting and brutal take on the proverbial writer's muse. I always find myself drawn to Madoc's descriptions of his "ideas" in the story's closing pages. Some of these things Gaiman mentions only in passing are worthy of volumes themselves. In addition, when Calliope's story is contrasted with the earlier story of Nada, it shows a profound evolution in Dream's character as well.
The second entry "A Dream of a Thousand Cats," is one of my personal favorites. Anyone who has pets will sympathize with the plight of the Siamese Cat. Her tale, and her message, have become a personal inspiration of mine. One of my favorite quotes of the entire series comes from her, near the closing of her tale.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is, arguably, the most superb single issue of the series (I say arguably because so many people I know think it is, but "Ramadan" remains my personal favorite). Set during the days of Shakespeare, it shows the origins of his play of the same name, from it's surprising commissioner Dream) to the even more surprising audience it is performed for. Watching actors portraying Puck, Auberson, Titania and various members of the Fae perform for their real-life counterparts is a visual feast, and a masterful work of storytelling. Dream's mention that Shakespeare owes him another play is yet another ominous hint of things to come, and of Dream's own dire fate.
The only weak spot in the volume is the final entry, "Facade." Though I can relate to this story on a number of personal aspects, I have never been able to enjoy it. I am always tempted to skip it entirely, as it offers very little both as a stand-alone issue and in terms of contributing to the series as a whole. I have never really understood its including, both in terms of this volume and in the series as a whole. Everything else moves the series towards its ultimate conclusion, even if only by bits and pieces and hints that must be discovered upon a second or third reading. I have yet to find such a reason for this one.
The stories found here are among Gaiman's best. Beginning with "Calliope," a haunting and brutal take on the proverbial writer's muse. I always find myself drawn to Madoc's descriptions of his "ideas" in the story's closing pages. Some of these things Gaiman mentions only in passing are worthy of volumes themselves. In addition, when Calliope's story is contrasted with the earlier story of Nada, it shows a profound evolution in Dream's character as well.
The second entry "A Dream of a Thousand Cats," is one of my personal favorites. Anyone who has pets will sympathize with the plight of the Siamese Cat. Her tale, and her message, have become a personal inspiration of mine. One of my favorite quotes of the entire series comes from her, near the closing of her tale.
Dream the world. Not this pallid shadow of reality. Dream the world the way it truly is...That is my message. And I shall keep moving, keep repeating it, until I die. Or until a thousand cats hear my words, and believe them, and dream...and we come again to paradise."
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is, arguably, the most superb single issue of the series (I say arguably because so many people I know think it is, but "Ramadan" remains my personal favorite). Set during the days of Shakespeare, it shows the origins of his play of the same name, from it's surprising commissioner Dream) to the even more surprising audience it is performed for. Watching actors portraying Puck, Auberson, Titania and various members of the Fae perform for their real-life counterparts is a visual feast, and a masterful work of storytelling. Dream's mention that Shakespeare owes him another play is yet another ominous hint of things to come, and of Dream's own dire fate.
The only weak spot in the volume is the final entry, "Facade." Though I can relate to this story on a number of personal aspects, I have never been able to enjoy it. I am always tempted to skip it entirely, as it offers very little both as a stand-alone issue and in terms of contributing to the series as a whole. I have never really understood its including, both in terms of this volume and in the series as a whole. Everything else moves the series towards its ultimate conclusion, even if only by bits and pieces and hints that must be discovered upon a second or third reading. I have yet to find such a reason for this one.
terezaxx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
mushababy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
atlas1327's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
kcrouth's review against another edition
3.0
Cool muse and cat stories. I could do without the Shakespeare.
roslink's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lucy_mary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
midici's review against another edition
4.0
Unlike the first two Sandman books, "Dream Country" doesn't follow any one plot or character. Instead the book has a series of short stories, some of which contain characters that have been mentioned before (like Shakespeare), or who are familiar mythic figures (Calliope of the Nine Muses) or who have never been mentioned before at all (...the cats). Morpheus I definitely moe of a side character in these stories. He's involved in some way, but his presence is not central to the action.
Calliope is something of a dark, modern twist on a fairytale. It's as dark as some of the classics, but in this case it's the human Rick who has the upper hand over Calliope, who has been imprisoned for her ability to inspire great works of literature. Calliope, who was Morpheus' lover thousands of years past, doesn't expect any help from her past partner. Morpheus, on the other hand, who has recently escaped his own imprisonment feel compelled to act, taking things into his own hands.
A Dream of a Thousand Cats is one of those surreal stories that take a 'what-if' all the way. I like these types of stories, that make you think about what it is that makes up reality as we know it. In Cats its implied that reality is what we make of it - what we dream into being. And the main character thinks its high time some species other than human gets a chance to take control.
As a die-hard Shakespeare fan A Midsummer Night's Dream was a fun read. Not as thought provoking or dark as the other two but an entertaining take on what sort of deal Shakespeare and Morpheus made.
Facade was teh last story in the collection, and the saddest. The main character Rainie has been transformed by the Orb of Ra and cannot bring herself to live with the consequence. the best part of this story was the reintroduction of Morpheus' sister, Death, who comes to Rainie to give her some advice.
Calliope is something of a dark, modern twist on a fairytale. It's as dark as some of the classics, but in this case it's the human Rick who has the upper hand over Calliope, who has been imprisoned for her ability to inspire great works of literature. Calliope, who was Morpheus' lover thousands of years past, doesn't expect any help from her past partner. Morpheus, on the other hand, who has recently escaped his own imprisonment feel compelled to act, taking things into his own hands.
A Dream of a Thousand Cats is one of those surreal stories that take a 'what-if' all the way. I like these types of stories, that make you think about what it is that makes up reality as we know it. In Cats its implied that reality is what we make of it - what we dream into being. And the main character thinks its high time some species other than human gets a chance to take control.
As a die-hard Shakespeare fan A Midsummer Night's Dream was a fun read. Not as thought provoking or dark as the other two but an entertaining take on what sort of deal Shakespeare and Morpheus made.
Facade was teh last story in the collection, and the saddest. The main character Rainie has been transformed by the Orb of Ra and cannot bring herself to live with the consequence. the best part of this story was the reintroduction of Morpheus' sister, Death, who comes to Rainie to give her some advice.
seraphiina's review against another edition
3.0
Compared to the earlier two, this was a more forgetable volume. It focused on four short stories, with two of them being alright, while the other two were a bit more dull. It was an alright read, but definitely not the best.