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Home , Anansi Boys, A Study in Emerald, Black Orchid (comics), Fragile Things, Michael Zulli, Murder Mysteries

BOOKWORLD INCWADI YELIZWE

tion of the minds of these two authors here truly produces a hugely entertaining read. Besides his acclaim as the author of The Waking up the gods Sandman series (and legions of other similar publications) has also written numerous short stories and essays. An excel- The unusual world of Neil Gaiman lent selection of these may be found in the 1999 publication Smoke and mirrors: short fiction and illusions. As its title suggests, the ALEXANDER VAN DER POLL #19 became the first (and only) comic pieces collected within are all about illusion. Correspondent () to be awarded a literary Often Gaiman uses traditional imagery and prize (The World Award) in 1991, ideas, or even and then adds his unique ‘Saying Neil Gaiman is a writer, is like the ‘underground’ author took his first otherworldly touch to them. The text itself is saying Da Vinci dabbled in the arts.’ steps toward world acclaim. very varied, ranging from a mere paragraph to (Minneapolis Star Tribune) Today he is hailed by many as an excit- a dozen or more pages. Yet, whether long or ing new voice in English fiction, and even short, the stories, poems and essays included doll with hollowed out eyes is best-selling author , has high are always stimulating and tend to linger in the pinned to the wall. An ‘expression’ praise for his work. The dictionary of liter- mind. A of horror fills its lifeless face. A tie ary biography lists Gaiman as one of the And not only in the mind of the reader! is wrapped around its neck. Beside the doll top ten living post-modern writers. Neil Gaiman himself often revisits his own stands a man with dark, tousled hair and a Neil Gaiman was born on November stories and elaborates on them or transforms heavy five o’ clock shadow covering his face. 10, 1960, in Hampshire, England, and not- them into another style. Recently he has revis- We are informed that the man lives in a big withstanding his Jewish faith, was educated ited one of the short stories from Smoke and house of uncertain location where he grows at various Anglican schools where he mirrors. Gaiman has reworked The facts in exotic pumpkins and accumulates comput- developed a penchant for Judo-Christian the case of the departure of Miss into a ers and cats. The man is Neil Gaiman. mythology, much of which is evident in his hardcover full-length graphic novel. The novel As strange as the preceding image and early Sandman graphic novels. is written together with his long-time collabo- text (from a Gaiman book jacket) may be, it Before writing his first ‘notable’ novel, rator, . pales in comparison to what the reader may with in Neil Gaiman is quite au fait with reworking find within. 1990, Gaiman wrote several shorter his own material. One of his most recent nov- Perhaps the most daunting aspect of writ- works, which often contained a high els, boys (2005) develops one of the ing about Neil Gaiman is the difficult task humour-quotient. Among these is his minor characters from his 2001 groundbreak- of explaining his literary style to those un- 1985 biography of the popular boyband ing novel . with his work? I think the best way Duran Duran (Duran Duran: the book; , originally a short graphic novel would be to say that, if he were still with us, the first four years of the Fab Five) and published in 1997, has been reworked into a would probably have found Neil the incredibly witty Don’t panic: Douglas novel and found publication in 1999. Now Gaiman to be excellent bedtime reading. Adams & The hitch hiker’s guide to the Stardust is a major motion picture (with Though Gaiman’s work shares with Dahl’s galaxy (1988). Gaiman writing the screenplay) starring Robert that sense of the macabre, it also differs in For those not interested in the graphic DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire ‘Romeo + some ways. novel format, a good place to start experi- Juliet’ Danes. Neil Gaiman often uses fantasy when encing the world of Gaiman would be his A de luxe, highly-illustrated version of the creating his milieu. Even when the setting is collaborative effort with renowned fantasy book is also due for release soon. quite urban, or realistic, elements of fantasy author Terry Pratchett. Good omens: the (1997) which started life as a often distort that milieu. His short story, nice and accurate prophecies of Agnes BBC television series (with Neil as scriptwriter) The facts in the case of the departure of Nutter, witch. This novel was published has also been reworked into novel form. Miss Finch illustrates this perfectly. In the in 1990, and represents Gaiman’s first All these revisions of his own material only story, groups of people are invited to a significant entry into the annals of modern serve to strengthen the web that Gaiman night at the circus - a travelling circus. One literature. And what an entry it is! In spins around his readers (or perhaps, more performance only. The circus venue is in Good omens the typically Pratchett-type accurately, his ‘fans’). underground chambers beneath the City of characters are faced with an Armageddon Indeed Gaiman has become quite the cult London. Intriguing, yet still innocuous. Then, scenario, which hinges on the predictions figure. He is the author who receives the most while the spectators are led from one hor- of an executed seventeenth century witch. online ‘hits’ on any author-related web site. rific ‘floor-show’ to the next, Gaiman’s brand Along with the Four Bikers of the Apoca- According to Wikipedia, (the online encyclo- of fantasy () creeps in and turns lypse (who ride hogs, not bikes) the char- paedia), before American gods (2001) was an innocent night at the circus into a bizarre acters are in a frenetic race against time, even published thousands of people visited dreamscape. before the world ends, on the following his web blog to hear Neil comment about the Neil Gaiman has been writing fiction since Saturday. Though the novel is typically book and the publicity surrounding it. After the late 1980s, and first gained cult status Pratchett, readers will notice the influence publication of the book, the ‘blog’ remained as the creator and writer of of Neil Gaiman in the execution of the popular, and eventually metamorphasised into graphic novel series. When Sandman various plots and subplots. The combina- the official Neil Gaiman web site. (Incidentally,

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the contents of said web blog, were later unruly hair, is still producing his special art,  The for Best Short Story published as Adventures in the Dream and we eagerly anticipate the next literary (2004) for Trade: a miscellany in 2002!) instalment from the master of urban fantasy...  The Quill Awards for Best Graphic With his unique vision to represent the Awards Novel (2005) for Marvel Comic 1602 ordinary in such an extraordinary way, Neil Volume 1 (go to www.thequills.org/2005. (from www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil ) Gaiman has managed to write a succession html)  World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction of successful children’s stories.  The Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for (1991): for Sandman #19: A midsummer The day I swapped my dad for two Adult Literature (2006) for night’s dream goldfish (1998), Melinda (2003),  14 Eisner Awards for his comic works  Comic Buyer's Guide Award for (2002), and the award-winning The wolves and various other minor awards. in the walls (2003) have been hugely popu- Favourite Writer (1991-1993) for ongo- lar with juvenile readers, although as one ing Sandman series. Including nomina- Booklist source has stated (referring to Coraline) the tions in the years from 1997 to 2000. story ‘seems to delight children and terrify  The Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Comics and graphic novels parents’. Adult Literature (1999) for Stardust (a selection only) In 2001 Neil Gaiman had American gods (illustrated version)  (1987) published. It is unanimously regarded as  The Hugo Award for Best Novel (2002)  #1 to #3 (1988) his best and most significant contribution for American gods  The Sandman #1 to #75 (1991-1997) to post-modern Western literature. Thus  The for Best Novel  Books of magic #1 to #4 (1991) far being perhaps the single most impor- (2002) for American gods  (1992) tant work in the career of Neil Gaiman. It  The Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel  certainly ensured his entry into the literary #1 to #3 (1994-1995) (2001) for American gods world. Its concept and execution was  *Stardust (being a romance within the  The Hugo Award for Best Novella phenomenal! Realm of Faerie #1 to #4) (1997-1998) (2003) for Coraline The 500-odd-page tome tells the epic Many other titles…  The Bram Stoker Award for Best Work modern urban fantasy of the Gods of the Prose (Complete) Old World (Europe, et cetera) and their for Young Readers (2002) for Coraline  Duran Duran: The book (1984) journey to the New (America). In this New World, they need to re-assert themselves  Ghastly beyond belief: the science and find their lost power. At the centre fiction and fantasy book of quotations of the story is the Norse God, Odin, now (1985) called Mr Wednesday. His relationship with  *Don't panic: Douglas Adams & the ex-convict, Shadow, and their momentous hitch hiker's guide to the galaxy.- Titan mission, compels the reader into a world so Bks., 1993. bizarre that it becomes almost ordinary.  *Good omens: the nice and true In American gods Gaiman truly displays prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch with a particular talent for narrative. (A passage Terry Pratchett.- Transworld Pub., 1991. describing Shadow’s creation of a snow-  and visitations a collection of storm is particularly memorable.) short stories featuring other authors in Since his triumph with American gods addition to Neil Gaiman (1993) Gaiman has achieved similar success with  Now we are sick: an anthology of nasty novels like Anansi boys (2005) where the verse with Neil Gaiman as co-editor and theme of Old World gods in a modern set- contributor (1994) ting is revisited.  *Neverwhere.- BBC Books, 1996. In fact, the character of Anansi appeared  *Smoke and mirrors: short fiction and briefly in American gods. illusions.- Headline, 2000. He still regularly contributes to graphic  *The day I swapped my dad for two novels, is very active in the process of goldfish.- Bloomsbury, 2004. adapting much of his work into screenplays, and he continues  *Stardust.- Headline, 1999. to write songs, poetry and short  *American gods.- Headline, 2001. stories. (2006) is  : a play for voices. his latest short story collection. It (2001) contains some admirable examples of  Adventures in the dream trade: a his unique story-telling talents. Again miscellany. (2002) some familiar themes are reworked, and  Snow, glass, apples: a play for voices. Shadow, from American gods makes an (2002) appearance.  *Coraline.- Bloomsbury, 2002. So, for fans of Neil Gaiman, the future  Melinda limited publication of 1500 looks rosy. The man with the notoriously prints (2003)  Kaapse Bibl., Jan/Feb 2007 21 BOOKWORLD INCWADI YELIZWE

 *.- Bloomsbury, References 2003. http://www.neilgaiman.com (The official Neil  *Anansi boys.- Review, 2005. Gaiman web site)  *Fragile things, a collection of Neil http://www.imdb.com (Internet Movie Database) Gaiman’s short stories.- Headline, 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.neilgaiman.co.uk Film and television http://www.factmonster.com  Neverwhere BBC television series; avail- http://www.amazon.com able on DVD (1996) http://fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/neilgaiman  *Princess Mononoke (1997) http://www.abebooks.co.uk  Babylon 5: series #5 day of the dead Television Episode (1998) Note: *Titles available in Provincial Library  A short film about John Bolton (2003) Service stock.  Mirrormask. (2005)  Beowulf. (2007)

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