This summer I’ve decided to delve into the writings of Neil Gaiman. He’s one of those writers that feel like a crime for not reading at least once in your life. This summer, I’ve pinned down nine works of Gaiman’s to read, and if I’m feeling lucky, I might explore Sandman, his series of fantastic comics from Vertigo. The last summer series I tried to do turned out to be a failure; my foray into sharks, a life long obsession, ended after one book. But now, as a writer, I’m a sponge. I try to read at least one book a week, and if I can stay focused, I’ll reach the end of my journey by the conclusion of summer.
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I’ve begun my Neil Gaiman experience based upon Erin Morgenstern’s advice in Book Riot’s first volume of Start Here; the shorts. Smoke and Mirrors is Gaiman’s first series of short stories, published in 1998. This collection runs the gambit of short fiction and poetry in varying genres, including science-fiction (“Changes”), fantasy (“Chivalry,” “Murder Mysteries”), horror (“The Price,” “Don’t Ask Jack”) contemporary (“The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories,” “One Life, Furnished in Early Moorcock”), and even fairy tales (“Troll Bridge,” “The Sea Change”). Gaiman’s writing style here is very wispy, almost like you’re staring at a mirage, wondering what to make of them and pondering their realism. In every single one of these pieces, he puts on his best magician’s cape and dazzles the reader into believing every one of his lies. And he does it quite beautifully.
This collection is not perfect, however, but its triumphs reach far enough to forgive any fiction here that falters. A common theme that runs through these stories is sexuality. Gaiman is not bashful about that and to his credit; the most sexual tale, “Tastings,” ends in psychic body fluids. You’ve never seen prognostication on display like this before. Gaiman never makes it seem unnatural or make the reader at all uncomfortable. He writes sexual encounters as a normal part of life, more normal than I’ve ever read from an author.
The poetry in this collection can be a bit hit or miss, especially if you’re not a regular to the style. “Virus” has a great heart even if it is a bit heavy at times. “The White Road” and “Queen of Knives” are great tales, but at times were lost on me. Perhaps it was just the way they were written, but I couldn’t keep focused reading them. That is more a failure of the reader than of the author. The two greatest in this collection are “The Sea Change” and “Vampire Sestina.” The first deals with a sailor’s encounter with a mermaid, while the second, vampires. These two are written in such a way that I didn’t want them to end, I wanted to explore those worlds more.
The stories that do fall short, which are short in number, do so because they feel almost too real, or grossly unexplored. “Only the End of the World Again” is a foray into werewolves that falls kind of flat. “‘When We Went to See the End of the World’ by Dawnie Morninside, age 11 1/4″ is a beautiful painting, but is drastically short for a story, too short.
I emerged from my foray into the mind of a modern genius hooked. Gaiman’s story hooks are brilliant. In each one of these stories, there are ideas that, even if you don’t love the story, are a lot to marvel at. These stories read like spells that actually work, that leave you mesmerized, and will pull the wool right over your eyes. It’s all a magic trick, and Gaiman is a well learned illusionist. You don’t need to love a trick just to enjoy it though, pull up a chair and dive in, you’re guaranteed to find many things that you like.
Five Favorite Shorts
5. “Looking for the Girl”
This may be a guys pick, but I know exactly how the protagonist feels in this story. You lay eyes on someone, there is something more to them, and you’d do anything just to talk to them or touch them; that they may not be real.
4. “Chivalry”
A witty and moving story about a woman who buys the Holy Grail at a thrift shop, and the knight that needs it to end his quest. Before Macklemore and Ryan Lewis stepped foot in the thrift shop, it was Gaiman.
3. “The Price”
This is one of the sweetest stories I’ve read. A battle between good and evil reflects the story Gaiman tucks in the intro. There may be a tear or two.
2. “We Can Get Them For You Wholesale”
A hilarious story about a man who may just end the world to get back at a cheating girlfriend. Sometimes you just can’t pass up a good deal.
1. “Murder Mysteries”
This is the kind of story that you want to punch Neil Gaiman in the face for writing because it’s so good. Heaven’s first transgression, at the beginning of it all. Guest starring Lucifer as well.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
