Melinda

by Neil Gaiman, Dagmara Matuszak (Illustrator)

Melinda, by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dagmara Matuszak, published by Hill House. A haunting short story of a young girl living alone in a world of rot and decay, her only companions the feral animals that rove the deserted ruins. Illustrated by Dagmara Matuszak in color and black & white. Color illustrations individually printed and laid in by hand.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Art

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a limited Edition book by Hill House publishing, and is a graphic novel, which is where Gaiman started his career in, with The Sandman series of adult comics. This is the first graphic novel that I have read by Gaiman and I must admit that I found it confusing. It runs like a poem with graphic illustrations. You can feel that sadness that is apparent with Melinda's story and the artwork is excellent. This is really a Dagmara Matuszak book, the illustrator, as Neil's story equates to about 150 words and the real focus is on the beautiful illustrations. And wow, are they good!

This was a book that was expensive, and it took about 15 minutes to read. Doesn't sound like a bargain, no? But this is an art form that I have yet to appreciate. Neil does quite a bit of it, and I will expand my horizons through some of his work. I want to experience reading more from this medium, and was happy I purchased Melinda. Just the book itself is something lovely to look at. It's a fine addition to my growing library.

[Variaciones Enrojo]

Libro inédito en castellano, creo.

[Xander Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If my reading experience with Melinda feels satisfying, it's likely as much because of how difficult this book was to get ahold of. There is a mystique surrounding a book with only 1000 copies in circulation, and it's possible the tale itself adds a bit to that feeling. This story of relatively few words is set in a dystopian future where machines are virtually the only "sentient" creatures left. Melinda, a seven-year-old girl, has adapted to this existence, but seemingly lives in fear of the machines, further suggesting there was a systematic extermination of humans. At one point a machine relates stories like "The robot and the three bears" and "The robot and the beanstalk" lending an understanding to how the machines view themselves. The storytelling is subtle enough throughout that upon completion I immediately reread the book--and gained further insights. But in the end, I'm still not sure what I take away from the reading experience.
One thing this work definitely has going for it is beautiful art! Matuszak has done a masterful job.

[Izlinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prose is stark, as are the drawings. They're black and white except for pages where a drawing seems to be paste into a frame and is colored. It feels a bit like magazine paper, though not as shiny. It is disturbing to think of a world quite overrun with robots/robotic animals (diesel bees and iron dogs, for examples) that leaves Melinda dreaming for an army, to go back "to her city--den." I wonder if the dashes are hesitations in the telling, as if the narrator has forgotten some words. "She fishes from a girder--jut." or "Pike seeth the river--water."

It leaves much on a cliifhanger... I hope Neil Gaiman returns to her world, which seems desolate. It made me question where the other humans are, if there are others. She befriends a pike, and a robot tells her stories, and she dreams of an army with "hand--grenades."

[Andrewcharles420 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young girl, Melinda, lives alone in the decay of a strange city; where machines can still be coaxed to life and wildlife runs free. People, other than the girl, seem to be absent.

Dark and contemplative, reminded me of a semi-lucid dream, where you know something is off, but keep stumbling through regardless, unable to latch on to what's real or what's wrong. I would call this a work of poetic, graphic, dystopic fantasy. While certainly worth looking at for serious Gaiman fans, his other works, simply for their greater length and depth, are a better showcase of his talents. The artwork is a good match to the few words and deftly sets the mood for the piece.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, what I own is the gorgeous hardback version, but that wasn't an option.... When I interviewed Neil a couple of years ago, he said there was much more to Melinda's story, but didn't know when he'd get around to telling it. I hope we'll get to hear more, because it's haunting and beautiful.

http://www.greenmanreview.com/book/bo...

[Bob Langdon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a luxuriously published book with beautiful illustrations.
It's a shame Hill House went out of business. They really published some incredible special editions.
As for the content... way too deep for the likes of me (smart people might like it).
:-p
Looks GR8 in the display case though.
:-)

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haunting illustrations with strange prose that reads like a post apocalyptic children's book.
Gaiman is one of my favorite authors and I doubt I would have purchased this one if it hadn't been by him.

[Julian White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slight book - a rather lavishly illustrated short poem, in fact. The cover is reminiscent of The Sandman hardbacks so will fit quite well there. (Purchased ridiculously cheaply in a bargain ebay sale - a mistake by the seller led to signed copies for $12... )

Illustrated by Dagmara Matuszak

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have a hardbound special edition of this book.Very pretty, although not my Favorite neil story.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story, beautifully stark and emotional artwork.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange post-apocalyptic story. Fun to read, as I like Neil Gaiman's style. I also liked the illustrations -- especially the color ones.

[mairywo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stunning and beautiful artwork in a limited, first and numbered edition.[return]The story is a little weird and confusing, but the absolutely wonderful edition makes up for it.

[Alysa H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really just an elaborately-illustrated short poem. The art is wonderful, but the poem didn't do much for me.

[Glennis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a large format illustrated short story that is dystopian short story. I think I liked the illustrations more than the story but I'm glad that finally got around to reading it.