Hardcover, 462 pages
Published Nov. 6, 2013 by Harper.
I love Neil Gaiman's writing, and apparently I also love his choice of short stories. I have found some new favourites, like Edith Nesbit, Maria Dahvana Headley or Diana Wynne Jones I'm going to check out further.
First, I feel like this book is doing a bit of a marketing trick, appearing like it's a book of stories written by [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], the contents list has all the stories titles, but not the authors mentioned. Still it worked out in my favour as I'm a bit tired of Neil Gaiman stuff, but my stepdad still remembers when I was enamoured with his [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462924585s/30165203.jpg|1970226] and gifts me all his books. Now I got to read some new and cool stuff.
Second, I started doing goodreads because I have a terrible memory for books and their contents. I can remember the story but often I forget what book I read it in. And conversely I don't remember by the title or author if I've read a book more often than not. Now, I have a memory of a bunch of stories, and a list of …
First, I feel like this book is doing a bit of a marketing trick, appearing like it's a book of stories written by [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg], the contents list has all the stories titles, but not the authors mentioned. Still it worked out in my favour as I'm a bit tired of Neil Gaiman stuff, but my stepdad still remembers when I was enamoured with his [b:American Gods|30165203|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1462924585s/30165203.jpg|1970226] and gifts me all his books. Now I got to read some new and cool stuff.
Second, I started doing goodreads because I have a terrible memory for books and their contents. I can remember the story but often I forget what book I read it in. And conversely I don't remember by the title or author if I've read a book more often than not. Now, I have a memory of a bunch of stories, and a list of titles (without the authors)...
I thought about listing my favourite ones for this review, but that'd be about half the 16 stories. To be honest, if you take them as what the book suggests - a list of short-ish descriptions of weird beasts, they are all of them lovely. Apparently I still like Mr. Gaimans taste, if I'm a bit tired of his writing.
You know when Gaiman puts together a collection of stories about unnatural creatures written by some very interesting authors, you’re going to get a weird collection of stories. Ranging from traditional fantasy to science-fiction, with a smattering of contemporary fantastic fiction, it’s an odd but enjoyable collection. Bit of a mixed bag, but enjoyable.
A fine collection of work selected by Gaiman.
