A review by sp1derfairy
The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-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

4.5

This book is so very magical. Gaiman excels at throwing you into his universes. It’s also stressful, but when you allow yourself to let loose and accept that you will be confused, it becomes easier. Things will unravel with time and you slowly come to understand things to a greater level. The creativity of his work impacts your own and I remember pausing several times while reading to think on what has been said. 

Gaiman wants you to remember that hope and beauty exists in the world. He wants to create a permanent etching of this on your brain. The world isn’t wholly defined by pain and seeking forms of stimulation in vain in order to make up for something lost or something affecting you. There is the very prevalent horror of the thirst for power, but we must balance what we see. The world isn’t all of either. He wants you to put a different perspective on your life (similarly to the battle in the hellfire club). 

I do think I could have done with less examples of sexual assault of women though. 

I love the final section of this comic. Death’s conversation with Dream finally forces Dream to reconsider his perspective of his world (just as the readers have throughout) and it makes for a hilarious dialogue between siblings. It definitely humanizes them. It reminds us that even the Endless are living their lives and making their way through the world.
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