Neil Gaiman: Brief Lives (2011)
English language
Published Sept. 24, 2011
Recently re-read the entire series, prompted (of course) by the Netflix adaptation. How immense the scope of this is, and yet the core storyline is actually pretty tight. Would recommend to anyone (though you've probably read it already, right?)
While I did enjoy this book while I read it, looking back over it to write this review I can't help but feel a little disappointed with what ended up being a rather overly glorified road trip. Of course it apparently sets up loads of interesting things for later, but that is not really important right now.
Starting out with the things I did enjoy about the book. I continue to enjoy the ways in which Gaimen shows Dream (as well as his sister) being silly and/or petty. Everyone (including myself) still loves Dream, of course, but it's nice that he still gets called out on his shit from time to time. I also enjoyed the star soaked night scenes at the very end, and how we got to know a bit more about the less popular Endless.
On the other hand I didn't feel like this volume was nearly …
While I did enjoy this book while I read it, looking back over it to write this review I can't help but feel a little disappointed with what ended up being a rather overly glorified road trip. Of course it apparently sets up loads of interesting things for later, but that is not really important right now.
Starting out with the things I did enjoy about the book. I continue to enjoy the ways in which Gaimen shows Dream (as well as his sister) being silly and/or petty. Everyone (including myself) still loves Dream, of course, but it's nice that he still gets called out on his shit from time to time. I also enjoyed the star soaked night scenes at the very end, and how we got to know a bit more about the less popular Endless.
On the other hand I didn't feel like this volume was nearly as creative or imaginative. There was myth there certainly, so it still felt rather magical, but there was a decided lack of deeply interesting things going on. And while I felt like I should be getting to know Destruction, I was ultimitly left with more questions then answers about his nature as an Endless. Of course maybe I just missed something too.
