Archive for the ‘Neil Gaiman’ Category

Book Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman


02 Sep

I would like to be as talented as Neil Gaiman. Is that too much to ask? Writing wise, it seems the man’s talent knows no bounds. He can write dark and gritty, very adult, adventure, and even win the Newberry Medal for children’s books. It really doesn’t seem fair.

But at least I can read what he writes, and I’ll take that as compensation. The Graveyard Book is a story of the fantastical that children of all ages can relate to, a true coming of age tale filled with friends and family, a few secrets, and even some bad guys.

Isn’t TV one of the new American Gods?


20 Jun

When plans for the HBO Game of Thrones series were announced, I had friends who became very excited and followed all production news religiously. I hadn’t read the books, had no plans to read the books, and really didn’t understand the fervor.

Now that the first season of Game of Thrones has ended, I understand. HBO has announced a 6 season series for one of my favorite authors and books, Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, to air in 2013. Now I’ll be the one following production news and getting giddy over advanced previews (and hopefully another novel or two by Gaiman).

My Favorite Books: American Gods by Neil Gaiman


05 Feb

I just finished reading American Gods for the second time. It actually made more sense to me this time around because I was not as busy trying to figure out what was happening and could pay more attention to the little details. Things that never seemed to fit before fell nicely in to place.

This is Gaiman at his adult storytelling best. The book is dark, the characters layered and imperfect. There is no happy ending, only the understanding that life goes on, and the knowledge that even if home could be defined, sometimes, you just can’t go home again.

My Favorite Books – American Gods by Neil Gaiman


23 Jun

Gaiman is an incredibly talented writer, but he made a name for himself by writing about the dark side of a world disturbingly similar to ours. Read American Gods and you will know why.

The characters are incredibly well drawn and three dimensional. You care about the main character and root for him throughout, but most writers can pull that off. What sets Gaiman apart is the richness of all the other characters- not just the secondary characters but everyone in the background.

His real coupe, though, is to end the book with creepiness tempered by a touch of hope.

My Favorite Books – Stardust by Neil Gaiman


10 Jun

Let me start by saying that I loved the movie Stardust. It is a new favorite and ranks close to Princess Bride for a romantic fantasy. DeNiro as Captain Shakespeare was inspired. That said, the book is even better.

I understand the concessions that were made to make the book into a movie, but the depth and complications of the book make the story even more poignant. I love that Dunstan crossed the wall, came home and married his human sweetheart. It creates a nice dichotomy with Tristan’s decision to stay on the other side of the wall with Yvaine.

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