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A review by gabiirayner
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
2.0
Let me make it abundantly clear that Neil Gaiman is without a SHADOW of a doubt a talented writer with a knack for gorgeously simplistic prose and description. But I was disappointed with this story and I'm so sad to say it.
Whilst I can understand people's love for the grounded yet fantastical world he's created in the form of Faerie, I felt as though the story suffered a lack of a clear plot aside from Tristran dragging Yvaine home to Victoria. The threat of the witches or the Stormhold brothers was minimal and all the other characters were too bizarre or fleeting.
I know that I'm heavily influenced by my utter adoration for the Stardust movie adaptation but perhaps it is exactly that that made me wish for a faster pace, a more thrilling ride, and a more passionate romantic journey. Maybe this is because I'm so used to the Hollywoodisation of stories by now (in which case that's disappointing and I absolutely wish to return to my more appreciative younger state) but I'd be lying if I said that I was turning every single page eagerly.
I was so excited to witness a more fleshed out journey of the Tristan and Yvaine I witnessed onscreen, wishing that they'd had more time together to explore their relationship instead of the 1 week the film takes place over, but somehow 6 months together and I felt they were less connected than Charlie Cox and Clare Danes after just 5 minutes onscreen. Such a pity.
Whilst I can understand people's love for the grounded yet fantastical world he's created in the form of Faerie, I felt as though the story suffered a lack of a clear plot aside from Tristran dragging Yvaine home to Victoria. The threat of the witches or the Stormhold brothers was minimal and all the other characters were too bizarre or fleeting.
I know that I'm heavily influenced by my utter adoration for the Stardust movie adaptation but perhaps it is exactly that that made me wish for a faster pace, a more thrilling ride, and a more passionate romantic journey. Maybe this is because I'm so used to the Hollywoodisation of stories by now (in which case that's disappointing and I absolutely wish to return to my more appreciative younger state) but I'd be lying if I said that I was turning every single page eagerly.
I was so excited to witness a more fleshed out journey of the Tristan and Yvaine I witnessed onscreen, wishing that they'd had more time together to explore their relationship instead of the 1 week the film takes place over, but somehow 6 months together and I felt they were less connected than Charlie Cox and Clare Danes after just 5 minutes onscreen. Such a pity.