April 13, 2008
Gaiman’s Stardust
So I finally finished one book on the Once Upon a Time Challenge – at this rate, I’ll finish this challenge when Carl starts next year’s round.
I’m taking a great risk here to be honest about my feelings about this book because I know so many of you are Neil Gaiman fanatics. And let me couch this review with the statement that I, not knowing that this book existed, saw the film version last year and really liked it. So keep all of this in mind as you read on. (And if you haven’t read the book or seen the movie – do so – but don’t read this review as I’m not sure I can avoid giving stuff away).
So to recap for most of you, Stardust is the story of Tristan Thorn, a man half of this world and half of the world of Faerie, who goes on a quest to capture a fallen star as a gift for his “true love.” In the process of this journey, he meets exciting folks who help and hinder him, as any true hero does, and he of course falls in love with the star, Yvaine, and gives over his love for the other girl.
And I love this story – perhaps because it’s timeless – the quest, the love, the helpers, the enemies – it reads like Propp’s morphology says it should – a quintessential fairy tale. I am particularly fond of Tristan, and I loved the princes. And the little furry guy that helps Tristan – he’s a hit.
But I didn’t feel like the story was fully-developed. I kept thinking that I didn’t know people well enough yet – like Yvaine – I wanted to hear more about her . . . to understand her more. Perhaps this perceived lack is because I saw the film first – something I never do for any book adaptation – and because the cast in the film was so amazing. Claire Danes is one of my favorite actresses, so her Yvaine beat out anything I could imagine from Gaiman’s words. And in the book, I did miss seeing more of the trip on the Perdita. In the film, Robert DeNiro is so delightful as the cross-dressing captain that I couldn’t get over that this part of Tristan’s voyage was so simple, so fundamental but unembellished.
In some places, however, the book does beat out of the movie by miles. For instance, I was so glad that Gaiman hadn’t belabored the witch’s quest as the film did – with a 20 minute fight sequence. I was glad, too, that the princes, as delightful as Rupert Everett is in the film, died of rather quickly.
So in the final evaluation, I think the book is great – very fun and delightful – and hence, that’s why it made such a good film. But I will hold to my practice of reading before watching because sometimes a good film can make a book look flimsy.
Other Reviews – Eva at A Striped Armchair
Andi
P.S. The winner of the “Favorites” giveaway is Kerry of So Many Books, So Little Time. Send me your address and your book selection – Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Lamott’s Traveling Mercies, Kidder’s House, or Byatt’s Possession – and I’ll get your book out to you via Powell’s.
P.P.S. Thanks to Free Range Librarian for introducing me to Twitterprose, a website that posts a great line of creative nonfiction every day.
Filed by Andi at 6:47 am under Book Recommendations
7 Comments
Thanks for the great review of Stardust, Andi. I, too, read it for the Challenge. I plan to see the movie now. I thought of this book as a novella, with lots of details left out. It was so sweet to read, however, I forgave it.
Wow! I won a book in your favorite things contest. I never won a book before, and I am so excited. Thanks. If you would email your email address to me, I will send you my home address.
qugrainne@yahoo.com
Thanks again. I am enjoying your blog.
I really enjoyed reading Stardust. Such a simple tale in many ways. I saw the movie almost directly after reading the book which isn’t always a good thing and I thought the movie was good, but I am partial to the book.
I enjoyed reading your take on both the movie and the review. Sometimes I do think it makes a difference which you experience first.
I know what you mean about wishing it were more developed – I wanted to read more about the characters too. That didn’t detract form my enjoyment of the book, but I understand how it did for you.
I’ve read a little Gaiman before–American Gods and Coraline. I have to say, I really enjoyed Coraline much more. I thought his writing was better suited to the shorter juvenile format. I didn’t really feel like I knew the characters very well in American Gods at all. I have one of his short story collections, Smoke & Mirrors and the novel Neverwhere on my stacks somewhere. I hope I have better luck with those than I did with American Gods.
I’m not a big fan of the film, which is probably odd considering I gave it rather glowing reviews when I saw it. I think I was so relieved that they didn’t completely butcher one of my favorite novels that I let it slide on many accounts. It isn’t a bad film, it certainly has its magical moments, but a second viewing revealed many of its problems and is frustrating considering changes that weren’t really necessary. I thought DeNiro was really fun but I liked the character better as portrayed in the book. I think this kind of fairy story is written in this way to allow you to have to have some parts unexplained, to let your imagination wander and to wonder just what other things are going on in that world that you the reader aren’t privy to. I certainly agree with your thoughts on the whole witches thing. I though the way they were handled was much more interesting and emotionally resonant in the book although I understand the need for a film like this to have some sort of adventurous climax. I also like the melancholy ending of the book much better.
Never be worried about being honest about your feelings about a book. Any author, especially those who have wildly devoted fans, is still someone who isn’t going to appeal to everyone and not everyone is going to have the same experience with a book. We bring ourselves to each experience as well as what we are currently going through in our lives, are in the mood for, etc. and that heavily influences how we connect with, or don’t, certain stories. Being honest is the best thing we can be in regards to how we feel about things.
I saw the movie a little while ago, but haven’t read the book first. Thanks to your review, I am very curious now which I will prefer. As I tend to prefer books to movies, I can guess, but for now, your review is interesting and thoughtful. Thanks. As Carl says, don’t be afraid – see my review of Inkheart, I actually had to take a deep breath before I hit the send button! Honest reactions to books are the only ones that count, because that is the connection made. It’s not good or bad, it just is. At least, in my opinion as a reader and a writer.
It sounds like you found the book to be entertaining, so that’s a good thing. I really liked it and promptly bought the version with the Charles Vess illustration. They are amazing.