Rate this book

The Sleeper And The Spindle (2014)

by Neil Gaiman(Favorite Author)

4.34 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1408859645 (ISBN13: 9781408859643)

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

publisher

Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

review 1: I accidentally found this book in Hong Kong International Airport while waiting for my homeward bound flight. Initially wanting to purchase some trashy magazines, this book brainwashed me all of a sudden. The name 'Neil Gaiman' is enough for me to instantly decide burning 218 HKD (and this is the time when poor students are supposed to be poorer). Not wanting to wait for a long time, I burnt more money only to get a seat in the ever-busy HKIA (and some junk food). While crunching my fried chicken and fries, the pages started to flip themselves in front of me. It was clear since the beginning that this is a retelling of Perault's 'Sleeping Beauty' -judging from the title. However, it was darker with countless twists. Not in the same level of 'The Wolves in the Walls' dark, ... morebut in 'Sandman' dark. My first impression was that Gaiman tried to ride the same wave brought by Disney's attempt to resurrect Sleeping Beauty through 'Maleficent'. Yet the more I read, the more I realised that he took a completely different path. Instead of (only) reinventing the antagonist, Gaiman wove two similar fairy tales. What is true love kiss? I guess this question started to linger in our mind since the release of 'Maleficent'. Gaiman put the emphasis on that concept here in his witty way, in his intricate telling. In doing so, he also changed our perception of 'damsel-in-distress' and 'prince charming'. In a more open world as we have now, why limit our mindset of fairy tale-esque plot to the outdated gender construction? One of my most favourite part in this book is when the pot-girl said " '....And brave men,' continued the pot-girl. 'Aye, and brave women too, they say, have attempted to travel to the Forest of Acaire, to the castle at its heart, to wake the princess ...." (p.16) Another thing from the newly resurrected Sleeping Beauty (still through the horribly written 'Maleficent') that I hate was the toning down / power stripping of Aurora. Thankfully, Gaiman gave me the remedy in his way of treating the Sleeping Beauty here. I won't tell you how, since it will be a major spoiler.....In terms of graphic department, Chris Riddell's illustration is perfect for this book. I always associated Gaiman's story with Dave McKean's style / Sandman-ish style, but Riddell's style capture the soul and heart of this dark fairy tale. All in all, another perfect serving from Gaiman. Kudos, sir!!!
review 2: I actually got sent this as a Christmas present from Bloomsbury, so thank you to the publisher for being so kind to do that.This book was simply beautiful in so many ways. This is a twist on Sleeping Beauty and Snow White and I love both of those stories. But this isn't Disney. Neil Gaiman will put a dark spin on it and Chris Riddell will have illustrations that will make you love this book.A perfect quick read that is so darkly pretty. less

Download links for: The Sleeper and the Spindle

Advertising