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What Members Thought
Honestly, Neil, this was not your best work.
I got what you were going for. You've spanned countless genres and subgenres across your work, even given birth to a few new ones, but the magical realism memoir just feels half-hearted from you. Your characters are interesting, as always, your prose is clear and strong, as always, but the story dragged or skipped with alarming incongruity. Was this two stories, perhaps? Did you fall asleep writing one, and wake up to start writing the other, without ...more
I got what you were going for. You've spanned countless genres and subgenres across your work, even given birth to a few new ones, but the magical realism memoir just feels half-hearted from you. Your characters are interesting, as always, your prose is clear and strong, as always, but the story dragged or skipped with alarming incongruity. Was this two stories, perhaps? Did you fall asleep writing one, and wake up to start writing the other, without ...more
I'm torn. It's good - probably very good - but it feels like a big, fat, softball right across the center of the plate for his fans. A magical world alongside (but hidden from) our own where things turn sinister when the protagonist inadvertently wanders from the safe path... it's Gaiman 101, mixing bits of his childhood in with tropes that will be familiar to anyone who has read his comics or prose work. I know he can stretch himself to do work I can admire even if I don't love it. He's not doi
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3.5 stars. Magical story about childhood, friendship, helplessness, and evil. An enthralling story in Gaiman's typical style. Although written for adults, the book is also suitable for teenagers.
I listened to the audio version narrated by the author and enjoyed it very much. Gaiman reading his own words highlighted some of the autobiographic touches to the story. Since I was listening to the story, I didn't have the ability to linger over some of my favorite passages.
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I listened to the audio version narrated by the author and enjoyed it very much. Gaiman reading his own words highlighted some of the autobiographic touches to the story. Since I was listening to the story, I didn't have the ability to linger over some of my favorite passages.
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It's impossible for me to rate a book by Gaiman with less than 5 stars. Enchanting and dark and comforting. All at once. Of course I adored this story.
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He can certainly create tension and fear with his writing!
Odd little book.
This novella was wonderful and I didn't want it to be over - though I thought it ended well. It's a very creepy sort of magical realism - I was pretty squicked out at one part and there were definitely some excellent points of suspense. To borrow from a friend, it's a childhood tale told from a perspective of adulthood, with all of the knowledge that can bring to bear in the retelling. Truly excellent, if you're at all interested based on the plot synopsis I'd recommend picking it up.
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Aug 04, 2013
Autumn Skye
marked it as to-read
Aug 11, 2013
Jen Horan
marked it as to-read
Dec 03, 2013
Martha
marked it as to-read
Dec 09, 2013
Liz
marked it as to-read
Jun 26, 2014
Tara
marked it as to-read
Jul 02, 2015
Jill
marked it as to-read
