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Sunday, April 29, 2001 Stardust Review - New Straits Times Posted by lucy_anne at 3:00 AM PDT | Comments (0) "Another little pocket of stardust", New Straits Times, 29 April 2001. STARDUST By Neil Gaiman Spike Fiction RM33.90, pp336 MOST of you may have already heard of Neil Gaiman (author of the award-winning graphic novel series The Sandman), although you have possibly not had the impetus to go out and get one of his pockets of magic. Well now, there comes another opportunity in the form of Stardust. A paperback version of the original collaborative efforts between his genius in story-telling and Charles Vess beautifully painted illustrations. Although Vess' exquisite interpretation is not present in this version, the enchantment is accentuated through Gaiman's mastery of words which has the ability to propel the powers of imagination beyond its limits. The tale begins in Wall, a secluded English village where the inhabitants and houses root closely to its topological features of rock, fields and tempestuous weather. To the east of the village, there is a high stone wall with a gap that is guarded constantly by two villagers to prevent entry or exit, and beyond the wall, there is a forest where odd shapes and glimmering things can sometimes be seen flitting amongst the trees. Once every nine years, the guards are relaxed for a fair on the meadow before the forest where new eyes, bottled dreams, storm-filled eggshells and other wonders are traded. It is on one of these fairs that Dunstan Thorn was given the gift of attaining his heart's desire, and this gift was to extend to his first-born child and beyond. Consequently, Tristran Thorn was conceived. He grows up, conscious of his difference to his sister Louisa, and makes an oath of love to beautiful Victoria Forrester to retrieve a fallen star. Thus begins his adventures beyond the wall to the realm of Faerie where goodness has a hairy voice, and evil wears a mask of benevolence (and a red dress). His journey in this mystical land will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can, whilst he and the star escape powerful ancient witches, deadly clutching trees, and the devious sons of the dead Lord of the Stormhold. The story is crafted with down-to-earth elements entwined comfortably around magic, and is in turn dark, whimsical, ghastly and very funny. Gaiman skilfully blends rich folklore, comic romance and traditional tales with distinctive wit, narrative energy and a true sense of historical knowledge. Definitely a book to curl up with when you have a long lazy afternoon, and a desire to escape from the dustiness of 3 p.m. meetings. If you plan to read this out loud to children, which it is entirely perfect for, watch out for a couple of sexy spicy moments.   Wednesday, April 25, 2001 High Cost Of Living Script Review Posted by puck at 12:14 AM PDT | Comments (1) Ain't It Cool News has a review of the first script for the High Cost Of Living movie. It's not the most flattering review but the points seem valid and well thought out. There are a few spoilers involved, though I'm sure you've all read HCoL anyway.   Saturday, April 14, 2001 Neil Gaiman Visual Bibliography Posted by puck at 2:45 PM PDT | Comments (0) Grand Moff Zoe has an excellent Visual Bibliography, including cover art, and some pictures of Neil on the CBLDF cruise. Nel Gurgle and Signing Dos and Don'ts Posted by puck at 1:20 AM PDT | Comments (0) Neil has updated his journal at AmericanGods.com with a little piece about Maddy and some "Dos and Don'ts" for those of you going to the book signings (below). American Gods Tour Dates Posted by puck at 1:08 AM PDT | Comments (5) Here it is folks, the American tour dates for Neil's American Gods Tour! Thanks to the Fabulous Lorraine for sending these along a few days ago. Sorry I was a bit slow about posting these, I've been terribly busy with my godlike powers and taking care of Ishmael here. (Bonus points to those that know where I got the name -- post guesses in the comments)   Saturday, April 7, 2001 Neverwhere Review - Southland Times Posted by lucy_anne at 3:00 AM PDT | Comments (0) from the April 7th The Southland Times: VISITORS to London beware. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman introduces the reader to the city beneath the city, London Below. It's a place where those unrecognised by society go - as the author puts it, "the people who fall through the cracks." A very literal world - Earl's Court is, simply, an earl's court, while Knightsbridge becomes the Night's Bridge, and is to be greatly feared, and travelling on the Underground will take on a whole new meaning. Into this world falls Richard and, after rescuing one of its inhabitants, he becomes a resident himself. In his struggle to return to London Above, his life is changed forever by the amazing people below - many of whom show shades of both Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams in their characterisation. Yet Neverwhere is not only comedic but a mystery that becomes more enthralling as each page is turned. One of the best fantasy releases of the past year. Published by Headline; RRP, $19.95.   Tuesday, April 3, 2001 Fantasy.Com 2001 Posted by lucy_anne at 3:00 AM PDT | Comments (0) From the April 3rd Jerusalem Post: Tuesday, April 10 The Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy is hosting Fantasy.Con 2001, a two-day convention at the Mofet Theater, at the corner of Krinitzi and Herzl streets, Ramat Gan. Lecturers will include Dr. Immanuel Lotem writer and translator of SF&F books and Dr. Ilana Gomel, an English Literature Professor at Tel Aviv University. Accompanying the convention will be on-line chats with fantasy authors Neil Gaiman, R.R. Martin, Guy Gavriel Kay and SF author Greg Bear. One of the highlights of the convention will be the launch by Keter Publishing of the first book in its new SF&F series Blood Music which is authored by Bear. For further information call Eli Herstein, 051-568006, or Irit Doron, 052-951465.   Monday, April 2, 2001 TV rights optioned for The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish Posted by lucy_anne at 3:00 AM PDT | Comments (0) "The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish.(TV rights optioned)", Publishers Weekly, 248(14), p. 24 Children's television producer Sunbow Entertainment, a subsidiary of Munich-based children's programming company TV-Loonland, has optioned the rights to two book properties, Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean's The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish and Edward Eager's Half Magic, which was published by Harcourt in 1954. The former is in development as a children's animation series and the latter as a 90-minute live-action television feature. Powered by Coranto   Looking for books by Neil Gaiman?