Saturday, October 27, 2012

RIP VII Reads #10 & 11: The Sandman Volumes 1 & 2

During Read-a-Thon, I decided to finally start one of the few Neil Gaiman works that I hadn't read yet -- The Sandman graphic novels. It's somewhat strange to experience the work of a beloved artist in another medium. I mean, I've seen Mirrormask, Stardust and Coraline but those were interpreted and fleshed out by other people. I'm not sure if I'm making sense but these collections, even with various artists through the different issues, felt more like the essence of Gaiman -- his pacing, his words.

So far, Volume 1: Preludes & Nocturnes and Volume 2: The Doll's House are part of a continuing story -- the story of Morpheus' capture, confinement, escape and restoration to power as Lord of the Dream World. As you can expect from Gaiman, some parts of the story are beautiful and lyrical, others are shockingly dark and demented. The graphic aspect of some of it was quite uncomfortable to read but then, quick as a flash, the scene would be over and done with, Gaiman and The Dream King leading you on to another more pleasant illusion.

I'm definitely curious enough to keep reading this series. I've heard that it gets better and better as it goes along and I'm already entranced by Morpheus and intrigued by his sister, Death. Also, I feel like I won't fully "know" one of my favorite authors without reading it all. I'll probably only make it through once but it will be a journey worth taking.

Hoping the bedbugs don't bite,
K

11 comments:

  1. Oh, cripes, Sandman is SUCH an experience. If nothing else, just the illustrations! I think my favorite volume was The Kindly Ones, but each one was special. Hope you enjoy!

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    1. I definitely couldn't stop now that I'm started! I can't wait to see what's ahead.

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  2. I had a few false starts with Sandman, but I all the way love it now. I think I would have liked it faster if I had started a little later into the series -- like, if I had read the Wikipedia page for the first two books, and gone back to revisit them later. They're still not my two favorites, in spite of how much I love Rose Walker.

    Which is to say, yes! It will get even better as it goes! The first story in the third volume is one of my favorites, even with how completely creepy it is.

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    1. I think that reading the first book for read-a-thon was a good idea because I just busted through it. And then Memory warned me that it wasn't totally representative of the series so I shouldn't judge just based on that so I made sure to read the second volume soon after. But now I see that I have to get the third volume ASAP. :)

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  3. I'm attempting Gaiman again and listening to The Graveyard Book. Much better experience than my first one (American Gods).

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    1. Those are definitely two VERY different books. I can't wait to see what you think at the end! I bet it'll be a good report back. :)

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  4. I've been wanting to try out this series! I think it will be my next graphic novel series, as soon as I'm done with The Walking Dead and further into Fables.

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    1. Hah ... Fables is my next one after this! Which reminds me to put in a request for vol 3 of this one so I can keep moving forward.

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    2. Guess what?!? A friend of mine lent me the first one of this series last weekend!!! I can't wait to get to it!!

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    3. Awesome! I thought I had a hold on book three but I don't. I guess I'll put in for 3 & 4 at the same time. BTW, there's another series that I think you would really like. The first volume is out but not the second ... Snarked by Roger Langridge. It's a take off of Lewis Carroll's works!

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    4. Just added this one to my list!!

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