A Beautiful Fairy Tale

The Once Upon a Time challenge is now over, but it will have lasting effects on me. Carl, at Stainless Steel Droppings, was the host of the challenge and a the self-professed biggest fan of Neil Gaiman. I have to say, that love is spilling over to me. I've read 3 of his books this year. Each one different, but equally as good. Stardust (238 pgs, Avon) is an adult fairy tale and beautifully written.

There was once a young man who wished to gain his Heart's Desire. And while that is, as beginnings go, not entirely novel (for every tale about every young man that ever was or will be could start in a similar manner) there was much about this young man and what happened to him that was unusual, although even he never knew the whole of it.

And so opens the beginning of this beautiful tale. At the turn of the Victorian era, in the English countryside, there was a town called Wall. It was named as such for the stone wall that was built to divide the city from the land of Faerie. Once every 9 years, a magical fair took place in the meadow outside Wall. It was the only time people were allowed outside the gap.

Young Tristran Thorn wanted only one thing. He wanted the love of the beautiful, but rather shallow, Victoria Forrester. As he was walking her home one night, they saw a falling star. Tristran told Victoria he would bring her that star if she gave him his "heart's desire". And Victoria, thinking how foolish Tristran was, agreed.

So with a pack on his back, Tristran sets off in the land of Faerie looking for the star. But he is not the only one looking. The witches of Lilim need the heart of the star to regain their youth. And the Lords of Stronghold are looking for the star in hopes of gaining the right to rule the land of Stronghold.

This book is magical. Set in the land of faerie, we encounter unicorns and talking trees; witches and goblins; pixies and stars. Stardust is beautiful in it's simplicity and it's lyrical prose. I can't believe I waited so long to read it! The characters are unique and full of life. They were written with such a vividness that I can picture each and every one. If you haven't read this wonderful little fairy tale, you should. It will have you believing in magic and happily ever afters again! 5/5

A Tale of a Trickster

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (pgs 336) is a book that I read for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. This book is my second foray into the world of Gaiman, and I am now certain I'm a HUGE fan!!

It begins, as most things begin, with a song. In the beginning, after all, were the words, and they came with a tune. That was how the world was made, how the void was divided, how the lands and the stars and the dreams and the little gods and the animals, how all of them came into the world. They were sung.

"Fat" Charlie Nancy was an unexciting man living in London in an unexciting flat, working at an unexciting job while planning an unexciting wedding with his fiance Rosie. And he was fine with that, until one day it all changed. Fat Charlie's father died in a horrible Karaoke incident, once again causing Charlie major humiliation. When he flew to Florida to the funeral, he once again met up with old neighbors and friends of the family. And Charlie found out a secret....his father wasn't just any of man. He was a God.....the human form of the trickster Anansi. And not only that.....but Charlie had a brother who inherited all the God "stuff" from good ol' Dad. All he had to do was whisper to a spider, and his brother would come. Now to Fat Charlie, this was all too much. He didn't really believe any of that nonsense. Of course, that didn't stop him from whispering to a spider one night in London after a few too many glasses of wine. From here, the quest to find out more about himself begins for Fat Charlie.

What I loved so much about this book is Gaiman's sense of humor. Where American Gods was more of a serious book, this one showed his sense of humor. This definitely falls in the folklore category of the Once Upon a Time Challenge. There were a lot of stories about Anansi, the Trickster. Since ALL stories are Anansi's! Gaiman wove a tale, like that of a spiderweb. All things are tied together somehow. And when Charlie opens the Pandora's box by whispering to a spider, it's really kind of a coming-of-age story. Gaiman sucks you in immediately and all you have to do is enjoy the ride!! 4.5/5

Once Upon a Time.....

That's it! I'm certifiably crazy! Another challenge, you say?? Sure. Just add my name. But this one is a challenge that I am REALLY looking forward to. It's a Fantasy challenge. After finishing American Gods by Neil Gaiman, I can see myself firmly planting myself in this genre. It is hosted by the most helpful Carl V at Stainless Steel Droppings and is to take place from March 22 (the first day of Spring) and run till June 21st (Midsummer Night's Eve).

Not only is it just a mere challenge....it's a QUEST! "A chance to celebrate spring, the time of rebirth and renewal, by experiencing the type of storytelling that connects us with our past." So, I have decided I will challenge myself to Quest #3. Here are my selections:

• Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan - Fairytale
• Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman - Folklore
• The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley - Mythology
• The Skewed Throne by Joshua Palmatier - Fantasy
• A Midsummer's Night Dream by Shakespeare

I think that's a pretty good list. The Mists of Avalon is a classic, and I've never read it. Always "one of these days". Well....I guess that day is here. Anansi Boys seemed easy since I just read American Gods. And The Skewed Throne is nominated this year for the Compton Crook Award.

So....it's off to Fantasyland for me!!

Later!