Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wish I'd read this years ago, and I might have given it a full five stars, but knowing the character and the actions of the author inevitably impacted my rating. In fact, if I hadn't owned this book and made a covenant with myself to read all the books on my physical TBR this year, I might have chucked it out, regardless of the fact that the movie is one of my favorite. All of that being said, I did adore the writing style, which reminded me of two of my favorite novels, Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees and the King of Elfland's Daughter (very intentionally so I believe). I do prefer some aspects of the film, but this could have been a favorite. Alas, death of the author doesn't exist. So.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As a kid this was one of my all time favourite books. It inspired one of my favourite films to date. I love this story so much. Over the years I have been watching the film I have grown to love it more than the book. Therefore what was previously an irrefutable 5 star has now paled in comparison to it’s adaptation.
There is something to be said about a book that gets better with each time it is read.
I first entered the wonderful world of Faerie through the brilliant 2007 film adaptation by Matthew Vaughn. To this day it remains one of my favorite films and introduced me to a director I have continued to love for years. So when I finished the movie I felt that I had to read the novel it had come from. Little did I know that it was a completely different journey than I had just experienced. As a young teen, I wasn’t as captivated by Gaiman’s slow methodical journey. It lack anything compelling compared to the fast-paced, wittier adaptation.
I opened the book once more in high-school at the behest of somebody I was trying to impress. This time, I found that I enjoyed the book more! While it still did not compare to the movie for me, I found that it was an enjoyable read compared to the first time I had read it.
Years passed and I decided on a whim to re-open the book this weekend on a long train ride. Figuring it to simply be something to pass the time, rather than a compelling read, I began my journey once more into the magical world Gaiman created. However, this time I was instantly captivated by his modern fairy tale. No longer was I disappointed in the slower pace, but I found myself enjoying it more and more. By the end of the day, I had not only finished the novel, but fallen in love with this version of the story. The story pulled me out of my headspace and allowed me to escape to a realm where anything is possible, and help can always lead to incredible outcomes.
I cannot wait to read this again further in the future to see if time continues to grow my love for this tale.
I first entered the wonderful world of Faerie through the brilliant 2007 film adaptation by Matthew Vaughn. To this day it remains one of my favorite films and introduced me to a director I have continued to love for years. So when I finished the movie I felt that I had to read the novel it had come from. Little did I know that it was a completely different journey than I had just experienced. As a young teen, I wasn’t as captivated by Gaiman’s slow methodical journey. It lack anything compelling compared to the fast-paced, wittier adaptation.
I opened the book once more in high-school at the behest of somebody I was trying to impress. This time, I found that I enjoyed the book more! While it still did not compare to the movie for me, I found that it was an enjoyable read compared to the first time I had read it.
Years passed and I decided on a whim to re-open the book this weekend on a long train ride. Figuring it to simply be something to pass the time, rather than a compelling read, I began my journey once more into the magical world Gaiman created. However, this time I was instantly captivated by his modern fairy tale. No longer was I disappointed in the slower pace, but I found myself enjoying it more and more. By the end of the day, I had not only finished the novel, but fallen in love with this version of the story. The story pulled me out of my headspace and allowed me to escape to a realm where anything is possible, and help can always lead to incredible outcomes.
I cannot wait to read this again further in the future to see if time continues to grow my love for this tale.
This review will be written from memory rather than immediacy, but seriously: why haven't I added this to my Goodreads yet? It's one of my favourite Gaiman texts (not that there are too many novels to choose from): a warm, bright, whimsical fairytale which spawned a ridiculously delightful movie. I compare-contrasted Stardust to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland for my extended essay in high school, and never got sick of mining Stardust for all it was worth; Tristran really is like a male version of Alice, the Victorian child trying to apply all their previous learning to the madcap, fantastical new world they've been plunged into. The romance is sweet, the characters are just as colourful as you'd expect from a fantasy, and it's a quaint little read. I'm trying to think of a food analogy (because for some reason I always like comparing reading to eating--), and the first thing I think of is a cup of hot chocolate.
As a sidenote, I dig how both this book and Howl's Moving Castle use John Donne's "Song", which neatly links Gaiman & Wynne Jones in my mind. Which is an appropriate comparison when it comes to this novel, I think, as it's so much like pastoral, semi-innocent English fantasy.
As a sidenote, I dig how both this book and Howl's Moving Castle use John Donne's "Song", which neatly links Gaiman & Wynne Jones in my mind. Which is an appropriate comparison when it comes to this novel, I think, as it's so much like pastoral, semi-innocent English fantasy.
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Pretty good, not my favourite fantasy but very cozy and I will read another Gaiman book