Friday, September 18, 2015

Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman

Publication Date:  February 3, 2015
Publisher:  William Morrow
Series:  Stand Alone
Pages:  310
Genre:  Short Stories
Synopsis:  Trigger Warning explores the masks we all wear and the people we are beneath them to reveal our vulnerabilities and our truest selves. Here is a rich cornucopia of horror and ghosts stories, science fiction and fairy tales, fabulism and poetry that explore the realm of experience and emotion. In "Adventure Story"--a thematic companion to The Ocean at the End of the Lane--Gaiman ponders death and the way people take their stories with them when they die. His social media experience "A Calendar of Tales" are short takes inspired by replies to fan tweets about the months of the year--stories of pirates and the March winds, an igloo made of books, and a Mother's Day card that portends disturbances in the universe. Gaiman offers his own ingenious spin on Sherlock Holmes in his award-nominated mystery tale "The Case of Death and Honey". And "Click-Clack the Rattlebag" explains the creaks and clatter we hear when we're all alone in the darkness.

Review:  Neil Gaiman never fails to impress.  The only short story collections I have read before have been fairy tales, and Trigger Warning surpasses them all.  I am not, and never have been, a short story kind of person.  I prefer lengthy story arcs and epic adventures.  But sometimes a glimpse is all you need, and it leaves you with more to wonder.

I wonder, "Are fictions safe places?" And then I ask myself, "Should they be safe places?"

The writing is...unrivaled.  Neil Gaiman's stories know no bounds, and I wouldn't want them to.  Some stories stand out more than the others, but all intrigue and envelope you in epic adventures, some that end well, and many that do not.  But who likes happy endings, anyway.

Making a Chair:  It's a poem about the writing process, one that I actually enjoyed, which is odd, since I am a self-proclaimed Poem Cynic (also a self-proclaimed Queen of the Universe and All it Contains).

A Lunar Labyrinth:  Reminds me of a grown up version of the Goosebumps books you would read as a kid.    

The Thing About Cassandra:  I would attempt to form a coherent thought about this story, but I am still unable to fully process it as of right now.

Down to a Sunless Sea:  Meh.  Good writing...but meh.

The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountain:  This one is...interesting.  I'm fairly certain I didn't actually like it, but it was interesting.

My Last Landlady:  I am never staying in a hotel or apartment ever again.  This reminds me of something in the back of mind, but it refuses to come out of the realm of subconsciousness.

Adventure Story:  ...what?  Also...more, please?

Orange:  This one made me laugh until I could hardly breath, yet I also have a slight aversion to it.  

A Calendar of Tales:  One tale per month, creating an eclectic selection in itself.  I won't say what I think about all of them, but December's story made me sit back and think, and also made me a little sad, which in turn made me happy, because stories that make me sad always turn out to be wonderful.

The Case and Death of Honey:  Sherlock Holmes, bees, and the secret to life and death--the biggest mysteries of all. One of my personal favorites, and also one of the best Sherlock stories I have yet to read.  Neil Gaiman did Arthur Conan Doyle justice. 

The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury:  This one is a rambling piece, and I quite liked it that way.  It is poetic in its own peculiar way, and Neil Gaiman does peculiar particularly well.

Jerusalem:  Turns out that brief moments of insanity are due to the location in which you lost your marbles.  I didn't feel like I was going crazy, but I was apathetic about the outcome of this tale.

Click-clack the Rattlebag:  I knew the end as soon as I began, but that didn't stop it from sending chills down my spine.

An Invocation of Curiosity:  This one also made me sad--in a strangely nostalgic way, although I have no idea what it was I was nostalgic for.  Would you want to witness the beginning of everything?  

Nothing O'Clock: This masterpiece of a Doctor Who story may just be my favorite in the entire book.  Brilliant, as Ten would say and mind boggling, and paradoxical in the most spectacular of ways.

Diamonds and Pearls: A Fairy Tale:  Better than the original fairy tale, but not more memorable.

The Return of the Thin White Duke:  Irresistibly enchanting.  This one makes me want to peer into Neil Gaiman's mind, just for a minute or two.  I am uncertain if having access to his mind would be astounding, terrifying, or both.  Probably both.  I am uncertain if I mind that or not.

Feminine Endings:  Intensely uncomfortable in the most imaginative way.

Observing the Formalities:  Oh, how I do love the view from the villain's side.

The Sleeper and the Spindle:  Endlessly clever and whimsical. Sleeping Beauty, meet Snow White.  Chaos ensues.

Witch Work:  Unfortunately, I cannot recall what this one was about.  Not for the life of me.

In Relig Odhrain:  Another interesting one.  Yet I just couldn't manage to bring myself to care.

Black Dog:  Uncanny events happen to uncanny characters.  I enjoyed the story, although I am positive that it would have meant more if I had previously read American Gods.

Better to have flamed in the darkness, to have inspired others, to have lived, than to have sat in the darkness, cursing the people who borrowed, but did not return, your candle.

Trigger Warning is made of the most wonderful type of magic known only to Neil himself (@neilhimself is coincidentally his Twitter name--I suggest you follow him).  If you so choose to read this curious collection, consider yourself warned:  the author himself states that his stories are triggers, and they're looking for yours.  Now, excuse me while I go build an igloo made exclusively out of books in my backyard.

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13 comments:

  1. Sounds like something I'd love to read. Only thing I'd add is that you borrowed it from our public library. Libraries are so awesome. I won't mention that you returned before I got a chance to read it. Whoops......

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    1. I FORGOT, I'M SORRY! :( Just let me request it for you--it's so good! :)

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  2. I've like only read a book of short stories once...and it wasn't by Neil Gaiman so therefore LET'S FORGET ABOUT IT AND FOCUS ON THIS *wishes wildly for this book* I've only read 4 of his books so far but every single one has impressed me beyond belief and I LOVE THEM. I need more. XD
    Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!

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    1. Short stories aren't usually my cup of tear--BUT REALLY NEIL GAIMAN DOES NOTHING WRONG. I haven't read all of his books yet, either but am loving all the ones I have! His writing is indescribable. How does he do it? Thanks for commenting! :D

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  3. I'm reading my first Neil Gaiman book now (The Graveyard Book) and LOVE it, so I'll have to give this one a try at some point. I don't normally read short stories but this sounds great.

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    1. Yay! The Graveyard Book is one I haven't read yet. :( I'll have to soon, though--and you have to read this one! Anything written by Neil Gaiman is just superb. Thanks for commenting!

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  4. Self Proclaimed Queen of the Universe and All It Contains, this is an awesome review. The only book I've read by Neil Gaiman is The Ocean at the Edge of the Lane, but I really want to read more from him. Your reviews make me want to go and read all of his books right now (I hate school for making me have no free time). Some of these stories sound so cool, especially the Dr Who one!

    Also, can I come visit your book igloo? ;)

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    1. Your Grace will do just fine! ;D Thanks, Emma! The Ocean at the End of the Lane is my favorite so far, but all of his books are excellent. His writing never fails to impress me. Clearly he must have magical writing abilities. I know what you mean about school--it's so awful. The Doctor Who one is my favorite! Read this! Preferably in my book igloo. Thanks for commenting! XD

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  5. I love a good short story... they can be strangely satisfying, the way they make you think and cry and laugh and flail in only a few pages. I am definitely going to read this book at some point. I WILL! Erin, please make sure that I don't forget. A Calendar of Tales sounds particularly interesting... As usual, this is an amazing review! <3 But why stop at an igloo? Why not build a book PALACE to rule the universe from?? ;-D

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    1. Exactly! There's no slow pacing, no waiting for the equal... When it's over, it's over. It can also be a bit sad sometimes, though. Definitely read this book! I will annoy relentlessly until you do! Thanks so much, Rebekah! I am currently building a book palace, plus a summer manor house on the coast of France--heard backs are the best! Thanks for commenting! :D

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    2. Exactly! There's no slow pacing, no waiting for the equal... When it's over, it's over. It can also be a bit sad sometimes, though. Definitely read this book! I will annoy relentlessly until you do! Thanks so much, Rebekah! I am currently building a book palace, plus a summer manor house on the coast of France--heard backs are the best! Thanks for commenting! :D

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  6. "Trigger Warning explores the masks we all wear and the people we are beneath them to reveal our vulnerabilities and our truest selves."

    This sounds absolutely amazing Erin! I love short stories; they usually are much more thought-provoking and intelligently written than full-length novels. This sounds like exactly the kind of anthology I'd love; the way it focuses on how people are rarely who we think they are. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥

    Quick question though - is it YA or adult?

    ~ Zoe @ Stories on Stage

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    1. It is astounding! Short stories are wonderful and I am so happy that I finally picked up a collection of them. Short and sweet, just enough to give you a taste. The stories here are all unique and strange and beautifully written. What do you expect with Neil Gaiman? Thanks for commenting, Zoe! :D

      Also, Trigger Warning is definitely an adult novel!

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