Fragile and Upsettling things

books:


	• Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders (P.S.) Neil Gaiman Harper Perennial, 2007 - 416 pages average customer review:based on 45 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Neil's Odds n' Sods

Did you ever pick up one of those compilation albums by one of your favorite musicians, only to find it to be full of undeveloped ideas and vanity pieces that were rightfully withheld from the proper albums in the first place? This anthology from the usually awesome Neil Gaiman is the literary equivalent of a collection of B-sides and outtakes, and there's a reason many of these ideas are not in his much more developed novels. Like any odds n' sods collection, there are a few flashes of brilliance here, like the modern Sherlock Holmes tale "A Study in Emerald" and the gruesomely whimsical "Sunbird." There are also a few enjoyable entries that highlight Gaiman's well-known interest in fairy tales, like "Harlequin Valentine." But most of the short stories here are toss-offs to themed anthologies or tribute editions; and regardless of the fact that several of these tales were award winners in the realms where they originally appeared, many seem undeveloped and arbitrary.

Gaiman is correct in stating that his tribute to Ray Bradbury, "October in the Chair," would have been better written by Bradbury himself, and tributes to other works like "Goliath" (The Matrix) and "The Problem of Susan" (Narnia) are vanity pieces at best. Some stories such as "Diseasemaker's Croup" are disappointinggly anemic snippets of thin and fanciful ideas, with probably more reward for the writer than the reader. This book's examples of Gaiman's poetry and targeted prose (such as the snippets written for the Strange Little Girls album by Tori Amos) are intriguing but directionless, and the majority of short stories are just plain unmemorable. Gaiman is one of my favorite writers and I recommend his novels whole-heartedly. But this collection is surely not appropriate for the casual fan, and even serious fans will probably find it disappointing and a bit self-indulgent. [~doomsdayer520~]

for more information click here

neil gaiman--great as always

Whether you've read Neil Gaiman before or not, I recommend reading this collection of short stories. They are cleverly written dark fantasy stories that really appeal to one's imagination.

Not only are the stories all great, but the book also contains an Introduction where Neil gives brief insight into the stories themselves (when he first started them... whether or not he liked them... what sparked the idea, etc).

I really recommend this book!

for more information click here

Wonderful Imagination

This is a wonderful book full of imaginative stories. Some of Gaiman's best is here.

Average, disgusting.

Neil Gaiman is R.L. Stein with sex thrown in. A cat's head gets stomped on in one of the stories. I can't recommend this because of that. He is a sick freak, not in a fun way, and I feel bad I supported him by buying this book. The stories start out great (A study in emerald, October in the Chair, Fairy Reel) then get progressively worse, relying on cheap tricks, gore, and sex. I got to page 272, and then I just had enough of the crap, and copied stories. If you want to read about stomping on a cat's head then neil gaiman is for you. If you like that kind of thing I would hope you both die as soon as possible. Unfortunately Neil Gaiman has kids and his books are popular enough that I fear its already too late. Don't buy.

for more information click here

Fragile and Upsettling things

I don't usually buy short story collections. I prefer stories that are novel-length and captivate my attention for long periods of time, so I was surprised when I couldn't put this book down. Each of the stories in this collection reminded me that sometimes it doesn't take 500 pages to tell a good yarn. While some are better than others, they were all brilliant in a way only Neil can create.

I did expect it to be more on the fantasy side, and was surprised to find that a lot of these stories border on the edge of horror. There were times when I felt vaguely "upsettled."

There are parts of this book that are graphic, and there are parts that are downright disturbing. While I wouldn't want to classify it as pure horror, people who are a little squeamish might not enjoy it as much as I personally did.

It is a collection of previously printed stories, so some of them may be familiar, especially for other fans of Neil. But I recommend this for anyone, whether they're long time fans or newcomers.

for more information click here

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

A mysterious circus terrifies an audience for one extraordinary performance before disappearing into the night. . . .

In a Hugo Award–winning story, a great detective must solve a most unsettling royal murder in a strangely altered Victorian England. . . .

Two teenage boys crash a party and meet the girls of their dreams?and nightmares. . . .

These marvelous creations and more showcase the unparalleled invention and storytelling brilliance?as well as the terrifyingly dark and entertaining sense of humor?of the incomparable Neil Gaiman. By turns delightful, disturbing, and diverting, Fragile Things is a gift of literary enchantment from one of the most original writers of our time.

for more information click here

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

recommendations

Great Books I have read (or have listened to on CD)
Ultimate Soul Nourishing Guide to Neil Gaiman
Great Books that no one should be without
Some Science Fiction
Amazing Reads

wonders

Wonder's First Race (Thoroughbred Series #3)
Wonder's Victory (Thoroughbred Series #4)
Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin (Ologies)
Succulent Wild Woman: Dancing With Your Wonder-Full Self!
Owen & Mzee: The True Story Of A Remarkable Friendship

search for books
short fictions, fictions, fragile, short, things, wonders

Impressum / about us