The Book Report Episode #7

Episode #6

Trigger Warnings by Neil Gaiman

Trigger Warnings was first published in 2015 and is the third book in the series. The Novel is an anthology of short stories and poems Neil has written over the years and has been published in various books from 2004 to 2015.

The Book

This is a series of Twenty-four short stories and poems, although mostly stories. The book deals with different genres and styles. Additionally, there is a section of introductions to all of the stories just before you get to the principal part of the book.

Above all, these stories stood out the most:

There is an adventure from my favourite modern-era Doctor, Matt Smith (eleventh), having fun saving the world, again, with Amy Pond. Running through time and space. But is the Doctor smart and fast enough: Nothing O’Clock.

A mid-investigation story from an aged Sherlock Holmes: The Case of Death and Honey. Sherlock has a case he hasn’t been able to solve, so he decides to go on a trip to discover a way to solve it. He enlists the help from a fellow beekeeper. Sherlock travels to a foreign land with the help of the lifespan of bees and the honey they produce, hoping he will find his answers.

But I was thrilled with a new story continuing the journey of Shadow from the book and TV series American Gods: Black Dog. He stops off on his travels in a small town in the Lake District of Cumbria, England. Unknowingly, he assists a lost, murdered soul to get some peace.

There is a story I would like to have read a bit more of. It ended on a cliffhanger: A Lunar Labyrinth. A journalist travels to a small town to investigate the mysterious maze. When reaching the centre can give you your heart’s desire.

The weird but clever story: The Thing About Cassandra. Is the main character the main character?

The Problem With Neil Gaiman

I don’t know what it is about Neil’s work. In theory, I shouldn’t like what he does. He’s not a bad writer. But he is so very far away from the worst I have read. But he has a sort of mysterious darkness that I can’t seem to resist. A hidden depth that I somehow craved and want or need to jump into and relax and maybe sleep forever in.

And yes, this could be seen as fanboying. I am somehow drawn to it. As much as I want to walk away, his weird imagination drags me back for more. I have been watching and reading his stuff for years. I can’t help but love it.

Maybe he is, in his way, the character of Morpheus, the God of Dreams. For those who don’t know, I refer you to The Sandman.

Watch out for my old goth/ geeky side coming out.

So. Would I Recommend

Yes. Abso-bloody-lutely!

It’s been a very long time since I have thoroughly enjoyed a story or stories that I want to read more of. But Neil does it like breathing.

Okay, I will take a step back. Yes, some of the stories are Meh! But the twists and turns make the adventure worth it. And yes again not everything is going to work. But that’s the whole point of a short stories anthology.

But at the end of the day. It’s down to you. Read it or not. But give it a try.

Am I a little biased? I suppose I am. But I have been reading Neil’s material for a very long time.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy? Try these shops: Amazon UK USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK USA. eBay UK USA. Or maybe your local bookshop. Or maybe try your local library.