Sunday, May 22, 2011

Stories : All-New Tales Edited By Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio

I went to BookXcess again last Wednesday. Saw this book prominently displayed at the front of the shop.

It's a compilation of 27 short stories by various authors. I had not intended to buy this book ..that is till I spotted the word "Jodi Picoult". Yes, she wrote one of the short stories in this book. Others talented authors include Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio(obviously), Jeffrey Deaver, Chuck Palaniuk, Lawrence Block, Joanne Harris and etc.

I think I have found a soul mate in terms of appreciation of books in Neil Gaiman. In his introduction, 4th paragraph  he said "Television and cinema were all very well, but these stories happened to other people. The stories I found in books happened inside my head. I was, in some way, there." Do you understand the meaning? If you do, it means that you know what I feel.

What I love about books like this is that it gives a variety. In it there are sure to be something which would suits me.

Surprisingly, I had not found Jodi Picoult story in this book to be something special. She is sticking to the theme which she wrote best - Love and lost.

I find that Joanne Harris's "Wildfire In Manhattan" to be delightful read with a hint of horror and fantasy. The old and the new blended well together.

"Unwell" by Carolyn Parkhurst and "Parallel Lines" by Tim Powers were also very good read about siblings rivalry to the death.

One work that goes well with me is "The Devil on the Staircase" by Joe Hill. Not only the story was well written.

The presentation was also very unique.

Yes, this book is a hit for me and am giving it 4 stars because of the magical four words which Neil Gaiman mentioned .... and they are "....and then what happened?". I found most of the stories in this book have this pull with exception of one or two stories.. It's not the fault of the authors but rather my poor brain would not accept the stories.

12 comments:

elliecleffairy said...

Looks like a good book... what i like about short stories is that u can actually read it over tea and whatnot. You can finish one story, put it down, and go back to it again at your convenience.

Small Kucing said...

Cleffairy

That is why it took me so long to finish this book. Nearly 1 week.

Hidayah Ismawi said...

sounds like a good book :)

Small Kucing said...

Hidayah

To me it is a good book

Alice Law said...

Interesting interesing(hv yet see any book with such paragraphing), coincidentally I'm going to bookxcess ths weekend, boleh sapu lar! Muahahahaha!

Small Kucing said...

Alice

LOL...next weekend they have story telling wor. You dont wanna wait for next week ka?

Alice Law said...

I can't make it since it's in the afternoon(my husband usually very lazy to go out tht particular time)!=_=

Small Kucing said...

Alice

Oh I see...now afternoon weather a bit sotplug. Sky sunny but can rain suddenly

Lee said...

Hi SK, regret never heard of the author or the book.
Anyway, my fault, I stopped reading books long time.
Have fun.
Lee.

Small Kucing said...

Uncle Lee

This author is not Biography type of author so not surprising it did not come under your radar.

Unknown said...

I guess one of the reason I don't like reading short stories is it takes me forever to finish the book. :)

Small Kucing said...

Chee Yee

I used to love to rea short stories during school time. Maybe that time my attention span was longer

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