Fragile Things

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Most of my readers (if indeed I have any at all) will probably know that I adore stories and the telling of them in all their forms. What you may not know is that I am also an aspiring writer with my first story in the works (a collaboration with my grandmother). Recently, I had hit that horrible, dark, and seemingly immovable wall of writers’ block and the work on my first draft has been suffering aaand making me somewhat reluctant to do anything (hence the terrible gaps between book reviews).

But I am happy to say that I have finally managed to scale that despairingly tall wall and it was thanks to Neil Gaiman! Reading his anthology of short stories and poems, Fragile Things, reinvigorated my love of narrative and stirred a little current in the stagnant pool that had become the narrative flow of my story. So... my greatest thanks to you, Neil.

Fragile Things is a collection of short stories and poems that both entertain the readers and work as a wondrous exploration into literature, genre, the longevity of both, and how past authors’ works affect the present. Beginning with a mystery that screams Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, transcending into delightful young adult sci-fi, crisp and clever poetry, explorations into Norse mythology and faerie tales, Lovecraft, Poe, and finally a spin-off of one of Gaiman’s own most celebrated works.

What I loved the most about this book was how much it said about the author. Gaiman is a person who really adores stories and Fragile Things shows just how much stories and literature in general has affected and shaped him. The glorious melting pot of genres and narrative tropes that is this book is truly inspiring and a real celebration of stories and their wonder.

Image credit: HarperCollins Publishers

Gaiman shows off all his creative muscles with this collection, producing fantastic narratives that are original, but at the same time are reminiscent of other canonical works.

This was also one of the few books that my co-workers have seen my nose buried in and have jerked me out of my reverie with exclamations of “how good is it?!” (and I try to read a book a week, so they see me with my nose buried in a lot). Anyone, absolutely anyone who loves reading must read Fragile Things!

Fragile Things is a collection of short stories and poems written by Neil Gaiman. It was published in 2006 by Headline Review, an imprint of Headline Publishing Group.