| Title : Stardust Author : Neil Gaiman Reading Dates : 15 Jul - 20 Jul 2011 |   |
| From Amazon : | |
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 | |
Book Review of Stardust.
I love Stardust. It’s one of my favourite reads. I also love the movie but for those who’ve only either read the book or watched the movie, you should beware. Liking the one doesn’t guarantee that you’ll like the other. The story is basically the same, but the movie and the book gives off a different vibe.
The movie was exciting and romantic. The book however has a dreamy or surreal quality to it. I always feel like I’m reading a fairy tale when I’m reading Stardust. Even when dangerous and terrible events occur, they don’t feel that way because there’s the certainty that things will somehow turn out alright. Reading Stardust, it’s more like I’m waiting for the next fantastic thing to happen, to see where the author’s imagination is going to take me next. But it’s still a wonderful journey.
Yvaine and Tristan are wonderful characters to read too. There are so many things unsaid and we’re rarely allowed to read their minds, but their feelings are so easily understood. Just through their actions alone, I feel I already know who exactly they are and what drives them.
Its no wonder I’ve re-read the book several times. The ending is bitter sweet, but I can’t help wanting to journey with them through Faerie again. At the end of the tale, I always feel as if there’s so much more to see.
I love Stardust. It’s one of my favourite reads. I also love the movie but for those who’ve only either read the book or watched the movie, you should beware. Liking the one doesn’t guarantee that you’ll like the other. The story is basically the same, but the movie and the book gives off a different vibe.
The movie was exciting and romantic. The book however has a dreamy or surreal quality to it. I always feel like I’m reading a fairy tale when I’m reading Stardust. Even when dangerous and terrible events occur, they don’t feel that way because there’s the certainty that things will somehow turn out alright. Reading Stardust, it’s more like I’m waiting for the next fantastic thing to happen, to see where the author’s imagination is going to take me next. But it’s still a wonderful journey.
Yvaine and Tristan are wonderful characters to read too. There are so many things unsaid and we’re rarely allowed to read their minds, but their feelings are so easily understood. Just through their actions alone, I feel I already know who exactly they are and what drives them.
Its no wonder I’ve re-read the book several times. The ending is bitter sweet, but I can’t help wanting to journey with them through Faerie again. At the end of the tale, I always feel as if there’s so much more to see.
My conclusions :
- Would I re-read the book ? Yes, I've already re-read the book a few times.
- Would I want to read the next book in the series if there were one? Most likely, although I don't see what more could be written.
- Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Definitely.
- Who would I recommend this too? Fantasy readers.
- For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it.
Books alluded to :
| Challenges : 100+ Reading Challenge |
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