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August 2007

Stardust by Neil Gaiman   «recommended»

After reading American Gods, I think I was expecting Stardust to be equally as good. It was okay, but not as awesome as American Gods. I have a quirk that I can't see a movie based on a book without reading the book first, so in anticipation of seeing the film version of Stardust, I bought and read it in a few days. If you're a lover of Neil Gaiman, you should definitely read this book. If you're not, it's a little bit hit or miss I'm afraid. I also didn't really enjoy the ending. I know it's a supposed to be a children's book (minus the, you know, relatively graphic sex scenes) but I feel like when the witch finally finds the star, the way it ended was sort of a let down. I like the sentiment of Tristran now owning Yvaine's heart, but still it ended a little too neatly for me.
Started: August 9, 2007
Finished: August 14, 2007
Summary: Young Tristran Thorn will do anything to win the cold heart of beautiful Victoria-- even fetch her the star they watch fall from the night sky. But to do so, he must enter the unexplored lands on the other side of the ancient wall that gives their tiny village its name. Beyond that old stone wall, Tristran learns, lies Faerie--where nothing, not even a fallen star, is what he imagines. (from amazon.com)
Quotes: "[E]very lover is in his heart a madman, and in his head a minstrel." (p 78)
"Adventures are all very well in their place, he thought, but there's a lot to be said for regular meals and freedom from pain." (p 178)
"We must have bearers, and outriders, and perhaps an elephant--they are so imposing, nothing says 'Get out of the way' quite like an elephant in the front..." (p 238)
"Have been unavoidably detained by the world. / Expect us when you see us." (p 246)

«absolutely necessary»   American Gods by Neil Gaiman

I've always wondered if the gods of the old pantheons were still around, what they would be doing. Neil Gaiman answers this in American Gods and also throws in some twists that are both captivating and thought provoking.
Started: August 1, 2007
Finished: August 9, 2007
Summary: Released from prison, Shadow finds his world turned upside down. His wife has been killed; a mysterious stranger offers him a job. But Mr. Wednesday, who knows more about Shadow than is possible, warns that a storm is coming--a battle for the very soul of America...and they are in its direct path. (from amazon.com)
Quotes: "The words floated through his mind like soap bubbles, there as he read them, gone completely a moment later." (p 23)
"Ideas are more difficult to kill than people, but they can be killed, in the end." (p 59)
"Hey," said Shadow. "Huginn or Muninn, or whoever you are."
The bird turned, head tipped, suspiciously, on one side, and it stared at him with bright eyes.
"Say 'Nevermore,'" said Shadow.
"Fuck you," said the raven. (p 158-9)
"The sun's treasure. It's there in those moments when the world makes a rainbow. It's there in the moment of eclipse and the moment of the storm." (p 229)