On the awesomeness of Neil Gaiman

I would just like to take a time out for a moment and focus on one of my most favorite authors. I know I usually only post when I’ve finished reading a book, but if any of you were wondering about what my favorite books are this is for you.


A couple of summers ago I was working in a professional theater called Tuacahn Amphitheatre as a spot light operator. We had to be there two hours before the show every day to make sure everything was working properly. If there were problems then we would need the whole time to fix them, but if nothing was wrong we were left with two hours of down time. It was in this summer that I discovered the wonderful writing of Neil Gaiman. My roommate at the time had a copy of “Neverwhere” just chilling in her room and I was lacking new reading material. I wandered her way and asked if she had anything good to read, and (it was destiny, I swear) she handed me her copy of my first Gaiman book. From the very first chapter I was completely hooked. I finished the book in two days and instantly started wanting more.

Over the rest of the summer I worked my way through his novels, and in so doing, found everything I had ever wanted in a book. The stories were deep and exciting. They were both dark and light hearted. At the time, they were exactly what I needed. My summer felt magical, and while I tribute that partially to my wonderful theater job, I feel like the majority of that feeling I owe to Gaiman. Who doesn’t need more magic in their lives? I couldn’t get enough. I tore through his books one by one. It was during this time that I realized how much I enjoy short stories. After reading “American Gods” I thought for sure I had found my favorite book in the whole world. However, every book by this man I read after that gave me the same feeling. It wasn’t until I had finally read every single one of Gaiman’s novels for adults that I settled on a favorite, and even now it changes with every book I reread that has his name attached.

The first time I read “Fragile Things” was in Oct. of 2007. It has been at the top of my favorites list ever since. Maybe it was just the fact that the stories in “Fragile Things” seem Halloween themed, and I was reading it at the exactly right time, but I really don’t think so. It is a superb collection of short stories and after finishing it I literally sat for five minutes wish there was more to read.

I would recommend Gaiman’s books to anyone, because I can’t imagine anyone who couldn’t relate, or wouldn’t enjoy the story. He writes fantasy stories for beginner, intermediate, and expert readers. The stories are not “teen fiction”, they are intellectual and stimulating. Some are frightening, and some are wondrous.

I regret to say that I haven’t read any of Gaiman’s graphic novels. These are the things he is most famous for, and so I feel that I am seriously slacking. That being said, graphic novels are not really my thing. There is not enough book and too many pictures. I would rather read actual novels and get my money’s worth in story content.

If you are curious about Neil Gaiman at all, he posts regularly on his blog! He recently married Amanda Palmer and lives most of the time in the UK. He posts about his dogs, cats, children, friends, and all of the things he is working on. I wish I could be friends with this man. He is insightful, and a phenomenal writer even in his blog posts. You can find all that and more goodies here on his website! Here -----> journal.neilgaiman.com

I have known for awhile that my next tattoo will be some quote of his, which one I haven’t decided yet. I am moderately obsessed. Here are some quotes that I love from Neil:

"People think dreams aren't real just because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real. But they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes."


“I've been making a list of the things they don't teach you at school. They don't teach you how to love somebody. They don't teach you how to be famous. They don't teach you how to be rich or how to be poor. They don't teach you how to walk away from someone you don't love any longer. They don't teach you how to know what's going on in someone else's mind. They don't teach you what to say to someone who's dying. They don't teach you anything worth knowing.”


"In a perfect world, you could fuck people without giving them a piece of your heart. And every glittering kiss and every touch of flesh is another shard of heart you’ll never see again."

Everyone should run out and get copies of “Fragile Things”, “Coraline”, “American Gods”, “The Graveyard Book”, “Neverwhere”, “Anansi Boys”, and “Smoke and Mirrors”. All of them are wonderful, and will not disappoint. Also, if you like short stories pick up “Stories” edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio. It is an excellent anthology filled with fantastic stories by very talented authors.


Hey Neil! Write more novels! Please?

Love, Haelee

P.S.

Someone suggested 5 out of 5 quills to me for a scoring system the other day and I quite like that. Also, my lovely roommate suggested 5 out of 5 R2 Units, but I may go with something Gaiman themed. As I compare all books I read to his stuff anyway, I feel that would be appropriate. Maybe 5 out of 5 button eyes? I kinda like that. Hum, I’ll continue working on it.