World Famous Comics: Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust: Being a Romance Within the Realms of Faerie
Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust: Being a Romance Within the Realms of Faerie
By: Neil Gaiman Publisher: Dc Comics Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 224 Publication Date: 1998-10 Studio: Dc Comics
Amazon.com Review: Stardust is an utterly charming fairy tale in the tradition of The Princess Bride and The Neverending Story. Neil Gaiman, creator of the darkly elegant Sandman comics and author of The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, tells the story of young Tristran Thorn and his adventures in the land of Faerie. One fateful night, Tristran promises his beloved that he will retrieve a fallen star for her from beyond the Wall that stands between their rural English town (called, appropriately, Wall) and the Faerie realm. No one ever ventures beyond the Wall except to attend an enchanted flea market that is held every nine years (and during which, unbeknownst to him, Tristran was conceived). But Tristran bravely sets out to fetch the fallen star and thus win the hand of his love. His adventures in the magical land will keep you turning pages as fast as you can--he and the star escape evil old witches, deadly clutching trees, goblin press-gangs, and the scheming sons of the dead Lord of Stormhold. The story is by turns thrillingly scary and very funny. You'll love goofy, earnest Tristran and the talking animals, gnomes, magic trees, and other irresistible denizens of Faerie that he encounters in his travels. Stardust is a perfect read-aloud book, a brand-new fairy tale you'll want to share with a kid, or maybe hoard for yourself. (If you read it to kids, watch out for a couple of spicy sex bits and one epithet.) --Therese Littleton
Product Description: In the tranquil fields and meadows of long-ago England, there is a small hamlet that has stood on a jut of granite for 600 years. Just to the east stands a high stone wall, for which the village is named. Here, in the hamlet of Wall, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester. And here, one crisp October eve, Tristran makes his love a promise -- an impetuous vow that will send him through the only breach in the wall, across the pasture...and into the most exhilarating adventure of his life.
favorite movie ^ This happens to be one of my favorite movies ever. I think it can be loved by nearly all ages and all types of people. I loved all the actors, and I think Charlie Cox, who was little known before this movie will become a big star. He has an absolutely great smile and great laughter. This is something I hope to see more of in movies because I'm tired of the sour-looks that have seemingly become popular. I also liked Mark Strong in this film, even though he wasn't a smiley person, but his character usually didn't call for him to be. Seeing people like Rupert Everett in small supportive roles was also great. And the scenery of Iceland, Scotland, Wales, and wild parts of England was such an incredible backdrop for this very fine film. I very rarely write reviews, so you can be sure that this movie really made me go out of my way.Stardust (Widescreen Edition)Stardust (Widescreen Edition)
Imagination 4eva' ^ A book of pure fantasy, nice to read, but a little too weird sometimes. There is a movie (Stardust, 2007) which is perhaps not as imaginative, but it softened the sharp edges of the characters, and put a happier ending (hey, this is just my opinion!). Though the story is definitely less predictable and more original in the book, that's for sure. But anyway, Yvaine is too cold, I don't really see how she and Tristan fell in love, and the relationship between Tristan and Victoria is strange too. However, the fantasy is the one thing that defines the book for real. The ending for the witches was more epic in the movie, but more interesting (stylish?) in the book. And I loved the market scenes and the search for the fallen star.
Stardust review ^ This book has a lot of Neil Gaiman's signature writing. It is a wonderful tale filled with fantasy, good and evil, and even a little love. It has wonderful truths about human nature. It is a wonderful book!
A Fun Read ^ Stardust is a fast paced fantasy with engaging characters and plot. This novel is not part of a series which is a nice change from most fantasy books where exactly no time has passed in the first 100 pages. However, I thought the character development wasn't in depth enough for me to really care about the characters. Instead, I was merely amused by them and didn't worry too much if they reached their goals or not.
The story is about Tristran (a name which looks nice but I stuttered over the extra "r" every time) a teenager whose mother was from Faerie, a place of magic outside the town of Wall that he lives in. He decides he is in love with the most beautiful girl in Wall, Victoria Forester, and she promises to give him anything he desires if he brings her a fallen star. He sets out on this quest with no hesitation but he is not the only one searching for the star.
The character of Tristran was bland. He decided he was so in love with Victoria (from what I could tell just because she was pretty) that he'll do anything for her. When he finds out part of that is kidnapping he doesn't really notice or care. I can't describe his personality because he hardly had one and Yvaine must have fallen for him for lack of a better option. Yvaine was a good character in that she wasn't the typical damsel in distress and until the end, thought Tristran was a bit of a twit. The supporting cast was quirky and the magic, inventive. I would recommend this book if you want a quick, mostly light-hearted fun read.
This should not be marketed to Young Adults. ^ I really did enjoy this book, but I am disgusted that it is being marketed as a Young Adult novel. There are two very erotic scenes, and one use of the "F" word. I don't even think the "F" word was being used during Dickens' time. Shame on you Mr. Gaiman for marketing smut to children.
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