The Book Report #109

Episode #108

Stardust By Neil Gaiman

The Book

The story was first published in 1999 by Headline Book Publishing. However, it took until 2005 for the paperback version to be released. This version of the book is the 50th print by the Headline Publishing Group, which is a Hachette UK company.

My copy has 242 pages. In these pages, we get the story, an author’s preface; this includes the original first chapter that would have been the original book called ‘The Wall’. It is a shame Mr Gaiman never continued; the first small chapter is intriguing. Acknowledgements, a brief history of Mr Gaiman, advertisements, group discussion questions and an interview with Mr Gaiman.

What Did I Think?

The book starts nearly twenty years before the main story begins. And due to a magical connection that happened nearly twenty years ago, a young man was magically roofied. And a baby was placed on the other side of the wall.

The wall stands as a gateway to and from a magical dimension. The wall is always guarded, and races from both sides are allowed to cross the barrier once every nine years, when they come together for a festival.

That baby grows into a young adult named Tristran Thorn, who is on a mission to find a star that has fallen from the night sky.

There are others involved who also want to capture the star, and when they crossover, a battle will commence. Whether they come out alive from the encounter is another story.

Tristran wants to marry the girl of his dreams, but she has sent him away, and if he succeeds on his quest, he will receive his greatest desire. But he learns much later that the star isn’t a rock but instead a young lady.

She has broken her leg, and they have to work together to deal with the many problems they will face.

I read this going in, comparing it to the movie, which came out in 2007. And although it does follow the book to an extent, the movie has been rewritten.

But for some reason, even though I enjoyed the film, I also enjoyed the simplicity of the novel’s ending.

This is not a movie!

To make it clear to everyone going into the book. The movie is PG. The book isn’t! However, I am happy with both. I was expecting the book to be more detailed and maybe a little thicker, but everything seems to fit into place quite well.

However, comparing this book to others he has written. Maybe it’s me comparing it to the movie. It’s a good story, but not quite as good as some of the others I have read. But on its own, it is still a nice book to read.

Would I Recommend?

As a standalone book, it holds up. So I would definitely recommend. But if you do read this book, compare it to the film. As always, expect it not to be the same.

Please give this book a go.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy?

You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA and Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/USA, Barnes & Noble, or eBay UK/USA.

Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.