Illustrated by:
ISBN: 9781401210823
Collects Preludes & Nocturnes (1-8), The Doll’s House (9-16), & Dream Country (17-20).
Read as part of the Once Upon a Time challenge & the Graphic Novels challenge.
Author’s site ; Wikipedia
Where does storytelling end and mythology begin?
Where do you start when trying to review a collection like this? I really have no idea. I was going to give up before I even began; admit defeat without letting anyone know about it, but I decided, what the hell, lets give it a go.
I first read some of Gaiman’s Sandman series years and years ago. Like a genius I started with A Doll’s House rather than at the beginning, but I soon realised my mistake and retraced my steps. The first few issues never really grabbed me. But they begin the story, so you do need to start there, and then, even if you dislike them, persevere for a little while longer. Because, lets face it, the character of Morpheus isn’t really that likeable. He is an arrogant ass. But his story is interesting. And the stories and places Gaiman gets to explore through the Sandman and his sibling Endless characters are fascinating. If you like comics and myths then you should give this[1] a go.
And there are also pretty pictures to look at.
I particularly like the Cereal Convention, brilliantly evil. And the loved A dream of a thousand cats.
Hmmm, I think this review is beginning to show why I should have admitted defeat before starting it, because I really don’t want to spoil aspects by telling you about stuff I loved. And I’m not even going to try and offer any sort of analysis because, damn, there is a lot in there. Let’s just say that Gaiman does his usual wonderful job blending horror, fantasy, myth and history into a wonderful story with so much going on that any amount of rereads will most likely be satisfying.
Before I go, the whole “absolute” deluxe treatment, can I just say that it really works here. Although it does mean you won’t be using this for commuter reading :) Now I just have to go buy Volume 2 and get stuck in to that
Other reviews: Das ubernerd ; Organized remains ; House of pomegranates ; The book mine set
- I dont mean the Absolute collection cause it costs a fortune especially if you are just testing. Unless your library has it, unlikely, but you never know. Anyway, start with reading a few issues and then see what is what ↩
I completely love the Sandman series, while simultaneously understanding maybe only 60% of it, and that's being generous to myself. :) Gaiman, and his illustrators, are creative geniuses.
I feel very much the same Kelly. I'm sure there are tons of references I'm not getting.
My reaction was like yours: the first issues didn't grab me. Why would I go on? I didn't and to this day have no interest in SANDMAN nor Gaiman, who I think is over-rated. Thanks for this review, though, it gives some insight into why many others like, or will like, this series.
Well you see I'm a big Gaiman fan. Love his novels, even when they aren't his best they usually have more than enough to keep me entertained and reading.
What's great about Sandman is that although it started out as a horror/fantasy series it soon grew into this great sprawling epic with so much going on.