The Sandman Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads author!)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 3255)
Read in May, 2008
a very good graphic novel. what i loved about this installment was that it was much more like an actual novel in that it cuts from character to character and doesnt finish the story all at once. the art, as usual, was very good. i can't say that it was my favorite in either art or story, but it was still solid and enjoyable.
gaiman brings a lot of characters back from previous novels, and sometimes it seems that he did that just because and not for a specific story relevance (Hob Gadling, i'...more
gaiman brings a lot of characters back from previous novels, and sometimes it seems that he did that just because and not for a specific story relevance (Hob Gadling, i'...more
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Oh man, this was a disappointment. After reading the last page I wanted to throw it across the room. Horrible.
Basically, Neil Gaimen decided to drag every major plotline from the entire series into the final episode. It didn't really matter whether it made sense to do so; what was perhaps supposed to lend closure to all the stories (most of which seemed pretty well concluded already, honestly) only ended up confusing me; it really only works if you've read the entire series back-to-back i...more
Basically, Neil Gaimen decided to drag every major plotline from the entire series into the final episode. It didn't really matter whether it made sense to do so; what was perhaps supposed to lend closure to all the stories (most of which seemed pretty well concluded already, honestly) only ended up confusing me; it really only works if you've read the entire series back-to-back i...more
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By far the longest and most complex of the Sandman storylines, collecting nine issues of the monthly series and drawing together many of the threads that had been percolating throughout the course of the series, most notably Lyta Hall and her child from "The Doll's House." Lyta's whose misguided search for vengeance leads her to engage the services of the Kindly Ones of the title, a familiar three-woman collective who specialize in a very specific sort of revenge. Along the w...more
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I'm not sure the artwork is quite what I'd have used for a story this epic, this emotional, or this dense. It's beautiful art, and I suppose the sparse lines and flat colors of the first half or so might serve to counter the story itself, but for me, it just never played right, and I found this book difficult to get into. But the story itself--Neil Gaiman's unbelievably rich narrative of hubris and sacrifice--is well worth sticking it out through the longest of the first ten Sandman volumes. ...more
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
Everyone
I used to stubbornly think that graphic novels had no intellectual merits other than for amateur entertainment (I know, pedestal). This series not only blew me away visually, but caused me to see graphic novels in a new light. Everyone should read this series.
Here's what i want to say, but someone else said it first and better than i could:
"Erudite, allusive, complex and ambitious, SANDMAN is undoubtedly the finest writing the mainstream comic book industry has ever seen. It dares to ...more
Here's what i want to say, but someone else said it first and better than i could:
"Erudite, allusive, complex and ambitious, SANDMAN is undoubtedly the finest writing the mainstream comic book industry has ever seen. It dares to ...more
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Read in May, 2003
I will forever maintain that Sandman is the best comic ever written. Gaiman was originally given the task of resurrecting a not particularly interesting golden age DC superhero, and instead, managed to change comics forever.
He created the Endless- Destiny, Death, Destruction, Dream, Desire, Despair, and Delirium (who used to be delight), created a whole new mythology based on so many sources- Greek/Roman/Egyptian/Norse mythology, fairy tales, fables, DC comic book characters, and of course,...more
He created the Endless- Destiny, Death, Destruction, Dream, Desire, Despair, and Delirium (who used to be delight), created a whole new mythology based on so many sources- Greek/Roman/Egyptian/Norse mythology, fairy tales, fables, DC comic book characters, and of course,...more
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Read in April, 2008
This is the "heaviest" volume of the Sandman series so far, with only one more to go in the regular series. It is exceptionally intricate and complex as well. It is an exploration of yearning, grief, guilt, revenge all those very human impulses incarnated by mythical creatures, predating Gods... In this volume, characters from previous books are brought back, with the exception of one or two new secondary characters, created as foils to some other protagonists.
The graphism is brillia...more
The graphism is brillia...more
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Read in December, 2007
recommends it for:
fantasy fans
This was one of the last volumes I picked up, only because I didn't like the artwork at first; it's a strange, simplistic style that took quite some time to grow on me.
This book brings the overall story of the Sandman to a climax. Previously, Morpheus killed his own son (it's what his son wanted, in exchange for helping Dream). Now the Furies are bound to avenge this act and destroy the king of dreams.
The ending is not what one expects. But, once you've read this volume, everything i...more
This book brings the overall story of the Sandman to a climax. Previously, Morpheus killed his own son (it's what his son wanted, in exchange for helping Dream). Now the Furies are bound to avenge this act and destroy the king of dreams.
The ending is not what one expects. But, once you've read this volume, everything i...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in December, 2007
I recall being at the edge of my seat when I read this volume in college, but in rereading it now the whole thing falls a little flat for me. I think this is mainly because, to my tastes, much of the story line seems a little drawn out and over-wrought, and could have benefitted from some greater economy. But it is this ten-volume story’s climax, and there are a lot of loose ends to be tie up (or not). However, it is a convincing climax to the story arc that got such a slow start a few volu...more
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Read in March, 2008
Wow. The artwork in this installment was unbelievable! Dream has always been an incredibly-intense character, but he was especially evocative in this book. I especially liked how Gaiman brought back several characters from the previous installments – even ones from early on in the series – and tied them all together at the end. The particular focus on Matthew was also a nice touch. I’ve always enjoyed the little raven, and his loyalty to Dream was quite touching. This was – by far – th...more
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This is definitely one of my favorite books of the series - it's also the sprawling climax, bringing in a lot of characters from previous books. Lyta Hall, who spent most of her pregnancy in the Dreaming, is tricked into thinking that Dream has taken her child Daniel (as he promised her long ago that he would). She therefore calls upon the Furies, and a lot of wacky hijinks ensue. Actually, if you're invested in the series, some sad hijinks ensue. But Gaiman weaves it all together in a masterful...more
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It took quite a while to get used to the art style in this volume of Sandman. Eventually I didn't notice it anymore and focused on the story instead. However, I couldn't enjoy this one as much because I had some wine right before reading the last half, and I guess wine makes me weepy. Because I spent about ten minutes crying over the last little "hoom" from one of my favorite characters. I was disappointed in all the deaths, rather than angry.
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My first Neil Gaiman.
My first graphic novel.
I read it because Tori Amos liked him and he was part of the curriculum for a class at my university. One I didn't take, but I snagged it at the uni bookstore.
I was later to actually see him speak in this class. Again, I wasn't taking it but a friend was. He spoke to us about Mr. Punch. The professor had written the intro for this particular collection.
And thus began my love for Neil. :^)
My first graphic novel.
I read it because Tori Amos liked him and he was part of the curriculum for a class at my university. One I didn't take, but I snagged it at the uni bookstore.
I was later to actually see him speak in this class. Again, I wasn't taking it but a friend was. He spoke to us about Mr. Punch. The professor had written the intro for this particular collection.
And thus began my love for Neil. :^)
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Read in March, 2008
Ah, maybe I read the first few books too long ago? I can't quite remember what actually happened to some of the characters before, and everyone makes an appearance here, whether I remember them or not.
(More thoughts here.)
(More thoughts here.)
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Read in June, 1995
The TENSION in this book, it practically makes your neck hurt. You read the entire book with your breath held, waiting to see what's is going to happen, it can't be what you THINK is going to happen, can it?
Gaiman doesn't let that up the entire time, you're constantly tense. And the ending makes it worth it. Great great great stuff.
Gaiman doesn't let that up the entire time, you're constantly tense. And the ending makes it worth it. Great great great stuff.
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Read in March, 2008
I guess you'd call this book the climax of the story arc, but it's a rather slow and tortured one. The Dream King is someone who wallows in his emotions and inactions, and the whole book is gloomy and foreboding and pointlessly violent. I also find the new art style to be a little distracting and alienating.
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Everything happens in this volume!! The Sandman saga comes to a head. Some events are simply unavoidable. This is amazing!!
I only wish the art was a little better. I wish they had used the artists responsible for the last volume, or even the first volume.
I only wish the art was a little better. I wish they had used the artists responsible for the last volume, or even the first volume.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
all
By far the most ambitious of the Sandman story arcs I have read so far. It was a little too convaluted, but I could go back and reread it immediatly and notice new things. If you have the money start reading these now!
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I'm stunned! To tell you the truth, I never saw this coming. This is probably the most painful Sandman volume for me to read, and yet it was excellent in its depth and complexity of narrative.
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Read in May, 2008
The art in this one, though eccentric, was basically just better than all the rest. Yep.
See my review of Preludes and Nocturnes to find out what I thought of the series as a whole.
See my review of Preludes and Nocturnes to find out what I thought of the series as a whole.
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