Review of Stardust by Neil Gaiman

I have long been interested in reading Neil Gaiman on recommendation from some of my fellow grad students. Though, I really wanted to read American Gods first, I have not been able to find a copy. I have listened also to Coraline on CD, and I enjoyed it (even though I don't normally listen to books-on-tape).

The first thing that Gaiman impressed upon me in Stardust is how adept he is at creating a world out of nothing. Though the book is under three hundred pages, the author has no problem creating the world of Faerie, where ships can fly and one can walk on clouds and a candle can act as a teleportation device and  where stars are girls. My image of Faerie was somewhat tainted by the film adaptation of the book, but it gave me a starting place. In all reality, the book is far more imaginative and fantastic than the film ever dared.

One major theme that Gaiman plays with is that of imagination and consciousness. The wall in the city of Wall is what separates imagination and reality or consciousness and sub-consciousness. The book could be read as completely taking place in the imagination, but the omniscient narrator does not treat it as such, and often treats the unbelievable events that take place in a book as commonplace and certainly nothing out of the ordinary. Tristran has the most unique perspective in the book, being a child of both worlds. His journey into Faerie marks the beginning of his manhood. Tristran certainly meets the requirements for an epic hero in his trial by fire.

One thing that I now don't particularly like about the film version is the treatment of the seven brothers. In the movie, the brothers serve no purpose other than comic relief, and in Primus' case a vehicle for the plot. Not to say that the brothers are not humorous, but Gaiman treats the brothers with the seriousness that they deserve. They are seeking to become rulers of a kingdom in earnest. They are not the oafs that are portrayed in the film. Septimus, in particular, is cunning and persistent. The brothers also really motivate the plot in the novel.

As in every fantasy novel of this nature, all details, no matter how small, are integral to the plot. I also thought it was really interesting how Gaiman manages to tie all of Tristran's loose ends up, without making the ending seem trite. This is probably because Yvaine's eternal fate is a little less certain and a little less upbeat. The conclusion of the novel is exactly what it needs to be. It doesn't drag on for ages as so many conclusions in fantasy novels do, but gives the reader the necessary information. The concentration of the story is on the journey itself, and doesn't hinder itself with things like lore and history.

I would recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys a fantasy novel, male or female, teen or adult. It is an easy and enjoyable read.