Rating: 3
Read for: TBR challenge, short story challenge
After enjoying Neil Gaiman's other short story collection, Smoke and Mirror, my hopes were perhaps too high and I was a little disappointed with this collection. Just as mysterious, dark and macabre as its predecessor, I found the stories in Fragile Things a little less involving, I just didn't become interested in many of the characters he had created. Although I generally like Gaiman's writing, I felt that I stood apart from most of these stories, they brushed by me without leaving much of an impact. It also felt like these stories had been thrown together with little thought to how they might affect each other, thus I found that they did not blend well, there was no smooth transition.
Having said all that, there were a few stories that stood out:
A Study in Emerald - A Sherlock Holmes-esque tale of mystery and murder in London with a dark side.
The Faery Reel - A short poem that Gaiman himself said, is enormous fun to read aloud.
October in the Chair - Storytelling from the months of the year. An entertaining story within a story.
Going Wodwo - A short exploration of becoming a wild man of the woods.
Bitter Grounds - I really didn't like this story. Well, it creeped me out, which was probably the desired effect! A tale of being lost and found and of things happening for a reason..
Other People - A tale of hell. Loved it! "Time is fluid here".
Harlequin Valentine - Based on a sculpture by artist Lisa Snellings, this is a tale of unrequited love that left me feeling so indescribably sad.
Monarch of the Glen - This was an interesting spin on the tale of Beowulf, but my appreciation of it would certainly have been greater had I previously read Gaiman's American Gods, as it features the main character, Shadow. I enjoyed it nonetheless and it actually made me more interested in reading American Gods.
Perhaps I expected too much from this collection, or they will improve upon revisting them, but it will not deter me from reading more of Gaiman's work.
Other blog reviews:
Melody's Reading Corner
10 comments:
I felt the same way-I don't think this one lives up to Smoke and Mirrors. But I loved "October in the Chair"!
I think I actually enjoyed this one just as much as Smoke & Mirrors. We have pretty much the same favourites, though, except I'd add Sunbird.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one, Mariel. I need to try and read more of Neil Gaiman this year.
I really liked this one, but I totally agree with you that Smoke and Mirrors is a better collection. Maybe it's because it was my first experience with Gaiman's short stories...who knows...great list of favorites! Those are some of my favs too.
I haven't read Smoke and Mirrorsyet! I'm hoping to read it soon since most of you said it's better! ;P
I need to read this one, great review ;) http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
The Faery Reel is one of my favorite poems by him. I've seen videos of him reading others out loud but I can't find any of that particular one.
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this as much as Smoke and Mirrors. I read this one before Smoke and Mirrors. I can't say with any certainty...because I keep changing my mind....but I think I might like this one the best!!
Loved the same ones you did, except maybe 'Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire'. Love the title!
I'm sorry this didn't live up to your expectations, but I'm happy you didn't give up on Gaiman!!
short stories collections are hard to put together I think. I enjoy reading a couple once in a while, but I can never bring myself to read one collection all in one go...
Eva - I loved October in the Chair! Stories with a story are usually a winner with me!
Nymeth - Sunbird was one of those stories I didn't get straight away, but grew on me later!
Literary Feline - Me too!
Chris - Its odd actually, I had heard better reviews of fragile things than smoke and mirrors, and the cover appealed to me more.
Melody - Smoke and Mirrors is great, there were more stories that I enjoyed and they seemed to flow together better. I hope you enjoy it!
Naida - Thanks, it is still worth a read.
Ladytink - I'd love to see that, let me know if you find it!
Stephanie - I'm sure if I read this again in a few years I'll feel differently! That's happened to me before. And Forbidden Brides has to be one of the best titles ever!
Valentina - I've enjoyed Gaiman enough to know that you won't love everything an author writes. Well if you do, thats one damn good author! If I don't read it all in one go, I lose track of what I have read! Plus I like to get into the mindset of an author when reading a collection, doesn't always work though.
Post a Comment