As I was wandering through my library looking for a new audiobook for my commute home, I decided to check out the YA section. I was looking for something easy and fun. We don’t have many audiobooks for that section (we’re trying to get kids to actually read!) but I was pleased to find this. A book by Neil Gaiman? Nice! Read by Neil Gaiman? Sweet! Is this meant for young children? No, I don’t think so. But older ones could get something out of it. It says the age range is 8-12, but I don’t think it would be a good choice for my 8 year-old nephew. I think the older you are, the more you grasp what Gaiman is trying to convey.
The Case of the Four and Twenty Blackbirds
This was entertaining. It’s not my usual style, but I think the author reading his own work gave it the dramatic flair it needed. I’m not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much if I had been reading it on my own. There were some parts of the story where I was all, “Oh, now I know what’s going on!” and then Gaiman would throw another curveball and I would be pleasantly confused again.
The Troll Bridge
Another time when the author’s reading of his story adds a little something. I liked how the main character throws his lady friend under the bus, as well as the very end.
Don’t Ask Jack
This… was. It didn’t really seem to go anywhere, or say anything. It seemed like a bit of filler to me.
How to Sell the Ponti Bridge
This went on a bit longer than it needed to. There is a pause in the middle when some of the characters are confused – so was I.
October in the Chair
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and wanted to hear more. The two parts of the story (the months talking as well as the telling of the story) were enjoyable, and I wanted to know what happened next (although an ending is implied.)
Chivalry
I enjoyed this very much. It was laid back, unhurried, and just delightful. There were no villains, no real wrongs to right, and no major drama. It was quiet and lovely.
The Price
Simply delightful. I wonder how much of this was based on truth.
How to Talk to Girls at Parties
My first thought was – what was Neil Gaiman on when he wrote this? He had to have been on something. Recreational drugs, cough medicine, sleep deprivation, something! Another thought was – are some boys really that oblivious?
Sunbird
I liked this one. While the kind of bird they were referring was a bit obvious, the pacing and characters made the whole thing lovely.
The Witch’s Headstone
I had read The Graveyard Book a few years ago, and vaguely remembered some of it. That probably helped. Going in completely blind may have been a bit difficult. It seemed to not fit as well in this collection, though. It was also a bit too long.
Instructions
I love this story/poem. I own it as a children’s book, and it is one of my favorites. I prefer it to be read a bit slower, though. Leave some space for the imagery to sink into your head.
(As I knew faintingviolet had just gone through a heavy, depressing audiobook during her commute, I passed this on to her, just to break up the seriousness. She just reviewed it before I did!)
