The Sandman, Vol. 6: Fables and Reflections by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Is there a distinction between comic books and graphic novels? Some say yes, some say no. Some say that graphic novels are more complete, that the stories are finished in one or two issues, where comic books can stretch a storyline for months. Others will say they are the same thing, with different focus. I don’t know. I used to read what we called comic books many years ago. You know- those small, thin paper books that came out every month, and were mostly superhero stories. The Sandman books are nothing like those. These are developed, intricately plotted short stories, told with illustrations. The series has overall arcs, but the individual stories, for the most part, are separate. They are like comic books in that the illustrations, coloring, even the lettering choice all add to the story as much as the plot lines. And they are very, very good.
Yes, I am a fan of Neil Gaiman. I love his stories, his style, and his imagination. And the Sandman stories are no exception. For those who may not be familiar, the Sandman is Morpheus, or Dream as he is known in the stories. He is one of the Seven Endless (the others are Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium, and Destruction). Morpheus rules over the Dreaming, and the stories are usually set there.
Volume 6 is a collection of short pieces, instead of one longer story. The stories are:
Fear of Falling
Three Septembers and a January
Thermidor
The Hunt
August
Soft Places
Orpheus
The Parliament of Rooks
Ramadan
They are all different, and incorporate Gaiman’s usual blend of horror, fantasy, and mythology. There are retellings of classic myths (Orpheus), historical references (Thermidor and The Hunt), and lessons to learn (Three Septembers and a January, and Ramadan). Dream himself often takes a back seat to the other characters in the stories, which is a departure from other volumes. The exception is Orpheus, which is played out here as sort of a family history, with all the Endless appearing.
This is a wonderful addition to the Sandman series. The individual stories are good, though some are better than others. Some may not like there not being a strong story line for Dream here, but the sidenotes and backgrounds we get are fascinating. I liked the anthology format, since each story can be read separately and wraps up its story line in short bites. Fans of Gaiman and the Sandman will enjoy it.
=======================================================
Available now:
After five years away, Kaili is coming home for the ceremony to install her sister as head of the family business. When an old rivalry threatens the family, Kaili and her partner need to use all their skills to save the sisters’ lives. Learn more here.
A collection of six short fantasy stories set in varied worlds of magic and mayhem. Learn more here.
A short novelette set in a dystopian Earth after the final environmental collapse. Sam is a genetically engineered chameleon who may hold the key to mankind’s survival. Learn more here.
In a world reeling under the effects of severe climate change, food shortages are common, and arable farmland is scarce. Unscupulous distributors like Beni Oligowma take advantage of the shortages for their own gain. When a promising new technology for growing food even under the harsh conditions is unveiled, grocery store owner Frank is determined to see that everyone is able to benefit from the results, not just the Benis of the world.
Feed My People is a short story, set in a dystopian science fiction world, and is free. Learn more here
Demon hunters Johnny and Cerise travel to the small town of Carroll Fork where they find a demon-possessed thrift store, a sweet old lady who is more than she seems, and an army of underworld inhabitants. Can Johnny and his trusty yo-yo save the town from a devil of a problem?
Five and Daemon is a short novelette in an urban fantasy setting, with elements of the supernatural and humor. It is free to download.
Learn more here
And So On... 
One thought on “Friday Review: The Sandman Volume 6: Fables and Reflections by Neil Gaiman”
Comments are closed.