Stardust by Neil Gaiman
|
List Price: Our Price: $2.00 You Save: $11.99 (86%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Stardust
Book Review: I wish I were a folklorist...
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is fascinating. At times it is somewhat predictable, but only because it employs many of the familiar archetypes of the Western/European fairy tale tradition; however, it most usually does so with an intriguing and inventive twist. What you *know* is going to happen either doesn't...or does BUT in a different and eye-opening way.
I believe that the childhood stories of any culture reflect the norms and zeitgeist of that culture at that time, and that how these change can be traced through how the stories evolve. Witness the Brothers Grimm transformation to Disney, for example. No shoes full of blood in our modern Cinderella or our modern acknowledgement of how life either *is* or *ought* to be (even though this defies reality for some). If I knew more on the subject, it would be fascinating to see what Stardust says about who "we" are now in relation to the canonized tradition.
Further, Stardust strikes an enjoyable and "believeable" transition in tone between the mythic and the mundane. For perspective, I found "The Finovar Tapestry" lacking in this regard--it wavered jarringly between something like "The Silmarillion" and Tad Williams or Charles De Lint at their least inspired.
In spite--or perhaps because--of this, Stardust is *not* a children's story. Kids are accustomed to the bad guys dying, so that's probably no big deal, but there are 2-3 scenes that are not appropriate for young audiences due to either graphic sex or profanity. However, once you've read it, you could likely get away with an only mildly edited out-loud read to your kids; it's by no means pervasive.
Book Review: The Ultimate Fairy Tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Stardust is a superb story, hearkening back to both ancient fairy tales and to Tolkien's beloved works. It pulls you in to its magical world and makes you believe in it without question. At the same time, there is a sense of modernism to the story that adds a complex element to the story. Many of the characters, even the magical ones, are recognizable as the heroes and heroines of modern stories, as well as the fairy tales we all heard as children. The love that drives Tristan Thorn to journey through Faerie, looking for his beloved's star, is at once timeless and innocent. He remains an innocent throughout the story, just like the young adventurers in the old stories.
Everyone pursuing the star does so for a different, but elemental reason. Tristan seeks the star for love. Septimus and Primus, heirs to the throne of Stormhold, pursue the star for power. And the old witch searches for the star to regain her youth. All of these things - love, power, and youth (health) - are sought everyday by all people in their different ways, meaning that the reader is able to connect with this story on many levels.
In terms of simple storytelling, Gaiman once again delivers. The language is flawless, and it is here that I could sense the influence of Tolkien, which is more than appropriate for the story. The characters are engaging, funny, terrifying, and real. The setting comes alive on every page. This book made it into my dreams as I read, and for me, that alone is proof of its magnificence. I would recommend this book to all fans of fantasy and adventure.
Book Review: (4.5 stars) An entirly charming puzzle of a Victorian fairy tale
Summary: 5 Stars
I will admit to re-reading "stardust" pretty much for the sole reason that a movie version of it is coming out soon. The first time I read it, and liked it, but I never saw it as an especially spectacular book.
However that could very well have been the intent of the author. "Stardust" is a true Victorian fairytale (with just the smallest sex scene thrown in) and like most Victorian novels I've read, it is more of a journey than a story with a huge explosive conflict and ending. This book is more like a puzzle, you get bits of information as you read that you must file away carefully for later because eventually they will form one cohesive picture and you will think, "Ah! So that's why...."
The writing is charming, in the illustrated versions the pictures are charming and the plot is charming. Over all, this is a very charming little book (though it has the potential to make a very epic movie, a la `Lord of the Rings' with some minor adjustments.)
Four point five stars.
Book Review: WOW! - a rare treasure of a novel
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an absolutely amazing novel. It isn't often that you come across a novel such as this one. The descriptions are magnificient and you are just swept away in the story until the last page is turned and you must leave the characters behind. The story has many thread ravels that are unleashed throughout the tale which keeps you guessing up to the last chapter. I can't say enough about this except that it isn't everyday you find a novel as wonderful as this one. It is about a hero, Tristran, who leaves his home in the town of wall and sets off to find the Star(who turns out to be a girl). There are many others who are also after the Star, which Tristran must keep her safe from. If you love romanace, fantasy/fairy tales, magic, and good vs evil, you will love this novel! If your looking for another book to read with this one try The North Kingdom.Book Review: QUICK, Before the movie comes out!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I guess it was patently inevitable that Stardust would be made into a film. The book is so perfectly romantic. Hollywood is just the hole this particular peg was destined for.
More's the pity, since Stardust lives SO vividly on the page!
Hurry, snatch this one up, set aside an evening before August 10th and sink yourself lovingly into the land of Faerie, where ships navigate the skies fishing for lightning bolts, where witches live as both ageless reflections and bitter concoctions, where a small Victorian British town sits not only on the brink of modernity but between how things are and all the things they could never be.
The movie might end up being good, but it is certain not to be as good as what you'll see in the spaces between these pages.
BUY STARDUST!