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Trigger Warning

Short Fictions and Disturbances
Sep 10, 2016goddessbeth rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Neil Gaiman could write an instruction manual for an IKEA bookcase and I'd probably love it. But that said, this was everything I hoped it would be. Gaiman has a delicious way of utilizing language and expectation to create truly disturbing, thought-provoking, and unique things. This anthology contains both short stories (of varying length) and poetry. Some are familiar, some are new (to me, anyway). Some were disturbing, some were amusing, all were entertaining and a joy to read. I've found it rare to encounter an author who is as good with full-length novels as short stories, considering the very different styles each requires. But Gaiman's masterful art of wordplay really supports his talent with these short stories. Each one has a 'how it came to be' story in the prologue, which was fascinating. Of all of them, The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury was the most deeply personal. Not creepy at all, but it felt like reading my own inner self (only, more poetic). I don't know that I've ever read something so intimate it felt like I wrote it, before. And I can't help thinking I would LOVE to hear Neil read it- what luck, he narrates the audiobook version of Trigger Warning! Also: there was not a single story or poem in here that was forgettable or 'meh'. Whether you like classic horror, or Doctor Who, or fairytale retellings, or novellas tied into longer works of fiction, or dark fantasy, or poetry, or folktales, or musings, there will be something in here for you. Probably multiple somethings. I highly recommend this collection.