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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Some of the essays/writings I absolutely loved (especially at the beginning of the book), and some of them were about topics or people I had no interest in. I feel like that's fair for a large book of selected nonfiction. Regardless, I would happily listen to Neil Gaiman read a dictionary to me.
“Libraries are about Freedom. Freedom to read, freedom of ideas, freedom of communication. They are about education (which is not a process that finishes the day we leave school or university), about entertainment, about making safe spaces, and about access to information.”
Probably my favorite section if I'm being honest. It's always a pleasure to listen to Neil Gaiman narrate his own work. Before he was a writer, he was a reader who read just about everything he could get his hands and it shows. In my opinion, it's probably one of the main reasons he's such a talented writer. I found this very personal but it is not something I would recommend for someone just getting introduced to Gaiman. Definitely, get to know the art for first and then come back and learn more about the artist. Or do whatever you want!
“You don’t discourage children from reading because you feel they are reading the wrong thing. Fiction you do not like is the gateway drug to other books you may prefer them to read. And not everyone has the same taste as you.”
^^ this applies to adults too :)
Probably my favorite section if I'm being honest. It's always a pleasure to listen to Neil Gaiman narrate his own work. Before he was a writer, he was a reader who read just about everything he could get his hands and it shows. In my opinion, it's probably one of the main reasons he's such a talented writer. I found this very personal but it is not something I would recommend for someone just getting introduced to Gaiman. Definitely, get to know the art for first and then come back and learn more about the artist. Or do whatever you want!
“You don’t discourage children from reading because you feel they are reading the wrong thing. Fiction you do not like is the gateway drug to other books you may prefer them to read. And not everyone has the same taste as you.”
^^ this applies to adults too :)
This collection of personal essays, thoughtfully-written speeches, literary introductions, and much more is so satisfying. Gaiman’s personality really shows through these pieces, especially on audio. He has an utterly contagious passion for art. Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of his novels, with the exception of Norse Mythology, which I loved. It’s largely a genre thing with me. I’ve concluded that I’m a Gaiman fan even if I don’t love all of his work, though I do vow to try again some time. I’m thinking Sandman.
Gaiman provides the perfect combination of sage life advice, humor, insightful anecdotes, and profound observations on all aspects of life - creative and otherwise. A must read for comics fans, creators, artists, readers, philosophers, and human beings.
This book ended up as an awesome smash up of autobiography and recommendations for books, comics, music, art, etc...
Gaiman’s collection of speeches, interviews, articles, and introductions gives more of a glimpse into Gaiman as an artist than I think I traditional autobiography would have.
For example:
“Chesterton and Tolkien and Lewis were, as I’ve said, not the only writers I read between the ages of six and thirteen, but they were the authors I read over and over again; each of them played a part in building me. Without them, I cannot imagine that I would have become a writer, and certainly not a writer of fantastic fiction. I would not have understood that the best way to show people true things is from a direction that they had not imagined the truth coming, nor that the majesty and the magic of belief and dreams could be a vital part of life and of writing.”
I listened to the audiobook but I’m planning to get the print version to keep as a recommended reading list.
Gaiman’s collection of speeches, interviews, articles, and introductions gives more of a glimpse into Gaiman as an artist than I think I traditional autobiography would have.
For example:
“Chesterton and Tolkien and Lewis were, as I’ve said, not the only writers I read between the ages of six and thirteen, but they were the authors I read over and over again; each of them played a part in building me. Without them, I cannot imagine that I would have become a writer, and certainly not a writer of fantastic fiction. I would not have understood that the best way to show people true things is from a direction that they had not imagined the truth coming, nor that the majesty and the magic of belief and dreams could be a vital part of life and of writing.”
I listened to the audiobook but I’m planning to get the print version to keep as a recommended reading list.
This is a difficult book to rate. On the down side, a lot of the texts were rather repetitive between them, and a good chunk of the forst two thirds was rather... well, i wouldnt say boring because gaiman is very good at being entertaining, but it wasnt facsinating either.
There was also the fact i had to add several (around twelve) new titles to my "to read" list, not a tragedy in itself but it certainly makes the price of the book much higher.
That being said, gaiman was his usual charming, witty, funny self, he did the voices and everything, and at the end of the day, im convinced that man could read his notes on some croissant he ate and id find it entertaining.
So... not his best, but i certainly had a good time all in all.
There was also the fact i had to add several (around twelve) new titles to my "to read" list, not a tragedy in itself but it certainly makes the price of the book much higher.
That being said, gaiman was his usual charming, witty, funny self, he did the voices and everything, and at the end of the day, im convinced that man could read his notes on some croissant he ate and id find it entertaining.
So... not his best, but i certainly had a good time all in all.
These are all the speeches, articles, blog entries, and forewords Neil Gaiman has written over the years. A lot of them were about stuff I know nothing about -- old authors that he admired, music I don't listen to, stories from his youth I'm too young to appreciate. It's not a memoir, it's a series of essays. Most of them are gushes about someone. There's nothing about the writing process or creation in here, except the "Make Good Art" speech which everyone knows.
And it's long. His writing style is unchanged -- full of comfort and warmth, like when Luke Skywalker meets Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time, and you know that this guy is one of the good ones. But I am not the kind of guy who has found solace in any of Gaiman's influencers -- Diana Wynne Jones, Terry Pratchett, Will Eisner, etc. There are a few memorable ones, but as a whole, this is only for the most diehard Gaiman fan.
And it's long. His writing style is unchanged -- full of comfort and warmth, like when Luke Skywalker meets Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time, and you know that this guy is one of the good ones. But I am not the kind of guy who has found solace in any of Gaiman's influencers -- Diana Wynne Jones, Terry Pratchett, Will Eisner, etc. There are a few memorable ones, but as a whole, this is only for the most diehard Gaiman fan.
I will be purchasing this book. The transcript for Make Good Art alone is worth having for quick perusal on days I need a pick me up.
great inside look at Neil's world. also, added to my reading list because he discusses authors he likes.