Stardust
by Neil Gaiman
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Book Summary Information
Author: Neil GaimanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-12-23
ISBN: 0061689246
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: HarperCollins
Book Reviews of Stardust
Book Review: Book Snob Recommends
Summary: 5 Stars
I hate Fairies.
If a book has the word "Fairy" any where in its description I tend not to be willing to read it. God forbid its spelled "Faerie" or "Fae." That just REEKS of pretentia to me and I want nothing to do with it. Why do I feel this way? Well there are a number of reasons most of which probably herald back to the days of dating a certain young man who would take me to role-playing events as "dates" (yes, you know who you are, you read this blog and I blame you entirely :)). But really it's because of the number of atrocious books out there on this topic. It seems near impossible to find a book that isn't either insipid or basically Tolkein FanFic.
But Stardust was written by Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman wrote Sandman and Death. Neil Gaiman: who summed up my adolescence in shockingly accurate and fanciful ways. Oh if only my Sandman and I had knows we were meant to be brother and sister, so many things would have been easier! Neil Gaiman is a genius.
Stardust proved me wrong on every front. Gaiman has written a fairytale; a true old fashioned fairytale that has high stakes and lofty moral lessons. This is a fairytale with Faeries, Gnomes, mysterious parentage, witches and curses. And I loved every single moment of it.
There is not a single passage in Stardust that isn't expertly crafted or beautifully phrased. Never over the top, the language chosen for this story suits the mood and tone perfectly. Written in the style of cannon classics it took me a few tries to really get into the story. I felt like it was smarter than me and I was working far too hard. When I submitted to the simple story being told and allowed the words to flow over me and the tale wound itself around my heart, I was able to enjoy it. I was able to enjoy not only the story but the experience of reading it.
Stardust is an adult fairytale. As you know I am constantly on the hunt for real adult books that challenge and stimulate my brain. I like nothing less than a book that ends by pulling a rabbit out of a hat and calling it a surprise twist or a book that skimps over the necessary details just to cut it's raking to YA. Stardust does none of this. While there is sex in the book, it is neither racy nor inappropriate, it is essential to the story and Gaiman thankfully doesn't sacrifice the integrity of his story just to keep it PG.
A few years back Stardust was made into a movie which while I enjoyed is not nearly as good as the book. They changed a number of things, although I'm not sure why; the book as it is is plenty exciting and beautiful. I highly recommend Stardust even if you have seen the movie. The stories are the same enough that if you enjoyed the movie you will like this, but different enough it doesn't feel like a retelling.
Gaiman has once again shocked me out of my expectations and proven that often I am wrong. Stardust is a wonderful story and a beautiful piece of literature. If you are interested in stories or writing or fairies or love or... well, honestly if you have a pulse you should give this book a try.
Summary of Stardust
Catch a fallen star . . .
Tristran thorn promised to bring back a fallen star. So he sets out on a journey to fulfill the request of his beloved, the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester?and stumbles into the enchanted realm that lies beyond the wall of his English country town. Rich with adventure and magic, Stardust is one of master storyteller Neil Gaiman's most beloved tales, and the inspiration for the hit movie.
Stardust is an utterly charming fairy tale in the tradition of The Princess Bride and The Neverending Story. Neil Gaiman, creator of the darkly elegant Sandman comics and author of The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, tells the story of young Tristran Thorn and his adventures in the land of Faerie. One fateful night, Tristran promises his beloved that he will retrieve a fallen star for her from beyond the Wall that stands between their rural English town (called, appropriately, Wall) and the Faerie realm. No one ever ventures beyond the Wall except to attend an enchanted flea market that is held every nine years (and during which, unbeknownst to him, Tristran was conceived). But Tristran bravely sets out to fetch the fallen star and thus win the hand of his love. His adventures in the magical land will keep you turning pages as fast as you can--he and the star escape evil old witches, deadly clutching trees, goblin press-gangs, and the scheming sons of the dead Lord of Stormhold. The story is by turns thrillingly scary and very funny. You'll love goofy, earnest Tristran and the talking animals, gnomes, magic trees, and other irresistible denizens of Faerie that he encounters in his travels. Stardust is a perfect read-aloud book, a brand-new fairy tale you'll want to share with a kid, or maybe hoard for yourself. (If you read it to kids, watch out for a couple of spicy sex bits and one epithet.) --Therese Littleton
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