M is For Magic

M Is for Magic by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I loved this book although i notice it is not highly rated. This confused me so I examined a number of the '1's to find out why. The chief criticism seems to be the stories are weird. This is true. If you want predictable stories move on. What Mr. Gaiman seems to be doing here is to force you out of your comfort zone, and to use a phrase long overused, 'expand your mind'. Simply put, he is attempting to make you see the world through different eyes. Frankly I think he succeeds but those who aren't comfortable with thoughts not prescribed by pop culture will be very disturbed. Another criticism is there's too much sex. Frankly i didn't even notice it but a couple of critics pointed it out in lurid detail. They argue the book is not suitable for children. One said she would never let her ten year old son read it. Evidently this woman has never heard of the internet. By age ten, if the lad ever found a computer he likely knows more about sex than she does. However she is typical of the new puritanism flooding modern day America - the one which states on the one hand sex is mandatory and on the other, utterly forbidden. These are the people who want library books removed from shelves because somehow they might corrupt children. If you feel that way don't waste your time on this book. There isn't much sex but it doesn't take much to bother some individuals.

If you like stories which make you wonder, what would happen if ... then I think you'll like these, but be prepared to step out of your comfort zone if that zone is restricted to your five senses and what you read in the newspapers or in social media echo chambers.



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