Scan barcode
A review by graypeape
The Neil Gaiman Library: Volume 2 by Neil Gaiman
4.0
I enjoyed this collection of Gaiman graphic novels, filled with spooky fantasy stories. Harlequin Valentine was my favorite, in which the title character nails gives his literal heart to his current love by nailing it to her door, hoping to make her his valentine. She has other ideas, however....
My second favorite was Troll Bridge, which follows a young boy into adulthood after making deal after deal with a troll who wants his life after the boy crosses his bridge. This is a melancholy story, with an autumnal feel to it, and offers a good reminder to pay attention to the path you're following through the woods. Likely Stories centers around a group of men exchanging unusual stories in an after hours club; this was my least favorite- the individual stories were uneven, one involved entirely more wanking than I want in a story lol! The final tale is The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch, in which four people go to see a mysterious circus with acts that seem like dreams and nightmares, and three people come away from it. In the end notes, we get a history of the Harlequin character, a helpful context for those unfamiliar with the trope. A good taste of eerie from Gaiman, with fine art throughout.
My second favorite was Troll Bridge, which follows a young boy into adulthood after making deal after deal with a troll who wants his life after the boy crosses his bridge. This is a melancholy story, with an autumnal feel to it, and offers a good reminder to pay attention to the path you're following through the woods. Likely Stories centers around a group of men exchanging unusual stories in an after hours club; this was my least favorite- the individual stories were uneven, one involved entirely more wanking than I want in a story lol! The final tale is The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch, in which four people go to see a mysterious circus with acts that seem like dreams and nightmares, and three people come away from it. In the end notes, we get a history of the Harlequin character, a helpful context for those unfamiliar with the trope. A good taste of eerie from Gaiman, with fine art throughout.