Scan barcode
frazierlauren12's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-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? No
4.0
legitimate__salvage's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
bittersweet_symphony's review against another edition
3.0
Gaiman is a fantastic writer, even when he compiles a bunch of incomplete short stories into a single volume. A few stuck with me, but most didn't leave enough impact. Smoke and Mirrors is probably best geared toward his biggest fans and not the casual reader.
readerkat8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
3.75
A compilation of short stories from various publications. I enjoyed them, but to be honest - my mind wandered. I think this is one I would like to sit down and read again but a physical book next time - I listened to the audio and I think short story is just a genre that is better for me to experience with traditional reading instead of listening.
What was interesting is that Neil had a section at the beginning that described what each of the stories was written for.
Neil himself narrated, and his voice is so soothing and stirring at the same time.
What was interesting is that Neil had a section at the beginning that described what each of the stories was written for.
Neil himself narrated, and his voice is so soothing and stirring at the same time.
nonb_horror_fan's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
breid4241's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ec_newman's review against another edition
3.0
My immediate thoughts below (in reverse order). One story I didn't read because it made me uncomfortable and not in a way that I felt like I needed to be uncomfortable (some literature is made for that). So, yeah. Not my favorite, but I'm glad I read it.
--
"Snow, Glass, Apples - I just kept thinking of Angela Carter's Bloody Chamber, this story has that feel."
"Murder Mysteries - a quick look online for interpretations tells me that my not completely understanding this one puts me firmly with everyone else."
"Babycakes - A Modest Proposal II"
"Desert Wind - good little story to be based on a song I've never heard."
"When We Went To See The End of the World - made me sad. Of course it did. Poor Dawnie."
"The Sea Change - I adore the imagery."
"Mouse - this just made me angry and I'm not sure that was the point."
"Vampire Sestina - it's a sestina! A bout vampires!"
"The Sweeper of Dreams. - more in love with the idea than the actual story."
"Cold Colors - sometimes I just can't follow Gaiman's thoughts. I like his words though, and that inability to understand but enjoy word choice makes me think of Dylan Thomas."
"The moorcock story - ehhh"
"We can get them for you wholesale - more human than anything."
"Bay Wolf - I see the connection with Gaiman's Beowulf."
"Only the End of the world again - uh. Ok."
"Virus - seems like a 'technology is consuming' warning."
"Shoggoth's Old Peculiar - yessssssss"
"Daughter of Owls - creepy but well done. And those jerks got what they deserved."
"Changes - fascinating and icky"
"Queen of Knives - creepy but kinda knew where it was going."
"The White Road - reminds me of Angela Carter."
"The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories - yes, that is exactly what Los Angeles is like and the people who work in the industry."
"don't ask jack - seems too short. Like there's a missing piece."
"Troll Bridge - uh, weird. Not unlikable, but not like 'yay!' either."
"The Price - I don't even like cats, I liked this one."
"Nicholas was...- Santa Claus. Gaiman would make it like that."
"The introduction was just as delightful as his stories. Chivalry was fun, I like Gaiman's oft-used device of the mundane and fantastical co-existing."
--
"Snow, Glass, Apples - I just kept thinking of Angela Carter's Bloody Chamber, this story has that feel."
"Murder Mysteries - a quick look online for interpretations tells me that my not completely understanding this one puts me firmly with everyone else."
"Babycakes - A Modest Proposal II"
"Desert Wind - good little story to be based on a song I've never heard."
"When We Went To See The End of the World - made me sad. Of course it did. Poor Dawnie."
"The Sea Change - I adore the imagery."
"Mouse - this just made me angry and I'm not sure that was the point."
"Vampire Sestina - it's a sestina! A bout vampires!"
"The Sweeper of Dreams. - more in love with the idea than the actual story."
"Cold Colors - sometimes I just can't follow Gaiman's thoughts. I like his words though, and that inability to understand but enjoy word choice makes me think of Dylan Thomas."
"The moorcock story - ehhh"
"We can get them for you wholesale - more human than anything."
"Bay Wolf - I see the connection with Gaiman's Beowulf."
"Only the End of the world again - uh. Ok."
"Virus - seems like a 'technology is consuming' warning."
"Shoggoth's Old Peculiar - yessssssss"
"Daughter of Owls - creepy but well done. And those jerks got what they deserved."
"Changes - fascinating and icky"
"Queen of Knives - creepy but kinda knew where it was going."
"The White Road - reminds me of Angela Carter."
"The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories - yes, that is exactly what Los Angeles is like and the people who work in the industry."
"don't ask jack - seems too short. Like there's a missing piece."
"Troll Bridge - uh, weird. Not unlikable, but not like 'yay!' either."
"The Price - I don't even like cats, I liked this one."
"Nicholas was...- Santa Claus. Gaiman would make it like that."
"The introduction was just as delightful as his stories. Chivalry was fun, I like Gaiman's oft-used device of the mundane and fantastical co-existing."
actuallythesun's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
mbenzz's review against another edition
2.0
I love Neil Gaiman, but this was a strange collection of stories. Most of them left me confused and unsatisfied. Of all the Neil Gaiman books I've read (which is most of them), this is definitely my least favorite.