#AmReading – Trigger Warning

Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman (2015) – A collection of short stories by the modern writing master.  24 stories that span many ideas, from a re-visit to his “American Gods” universe, to a script for “Dr. Who”.  Some have appeared elsewhere, while “Black Dog” (the “American Gods” story) was written especially for the collection.

Let’s see, I am a huge short story fan, and am becoming a Gaiman fan at the speed of light.  So I was thrilled when I stumbled on this collection, his third.  In the end, I was very disappointed.

Disappointed that it was the end.  Because the collection was amazing!

Normally, I include a few words about my favorite stories, but it’s very hard to pick.  They are all wonderful.  Some of the stories that stayed with me the most.

Down to The Sunless Sea – the gentlest horror story I’ve ever read, as a mother shares the story of her son’s death at sea, to a stranger, in the rain.

The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains… – The story of two men, a quest for gold, the return of the king, and vengeance.

The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury – Bradbury is a special favorite of mine, so I was excited when I saw the title.  Gaiman creates something so Bradbury-esque that I’ll leave the description at that.  Stunning.

Click-Clack the Rattlebag – Children are terrifying.

The Return of the Thin White Duke – A duke who lived beyond desire, who goes on a quest, and finds a heart, but leaves it all for a smoky pub in England.  It won’t make sense till you read it.

Feminine Endings – It may be the scariest love letter of them all.

Those jump out at me, and then the voices begin inside my head:

But Jay, what about “Jerusalem”.  Oh how can you leave out “And Weep, Like Alexander”, or “The Sleeper and the Spindle”, or “Black Dog”?  How can you not list them all?”

Good questions all.  Every story is wonderful, to the point that I wonder why I bother trying to write myself.  This is what I want to be, this is what I want to create.  But I started too late, I haven’t the gift, I will never, can never…

Maybe that’s true, maybe it’s not.  But I can still read these stories.  And go the places they lead.

Rating – **** Recommended