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| The View from the Cheap Seats |
Title: The View from the Cheap Seats
Author: Neil Gaiman
Publication Date: 5/31/16
Pages: 544
Genre: Nonfiction
How I Found It: TLC Book Tours
Date Completed: 5/14/16
Summary: A collection of essays, speeches, and other nonfiction work from the course of Gaiman's career.
What I Thought: I haven't read too much of Gaiman's work, but I am slowly working on remedying that conundrum. He just seems like an author I not only should have read more of, but would want to read more of. I put him in the same category as Margaret Atwood - I want to be a fan, but I really have not exposed myself to enough of their collections to say so definitively.
Reading a collection of Gaiman's nonfiction was a wonderful way to get to know him better as an author and a person. Throughout a career so long and distinguished as Gaiman's, one inevitably writes a lot of this type of thing: essays, speeches, forwards for peers' books, articles, commentaries on various and sundry topics. To put them all together in one collection is not only a great way to get them organized for long-time, interested readers, but also a way for newcomers to familiarize themselves with Gaiman's thought processes and writing style.
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| Neil Gaiman |
I enjoyed this anthology. Per Gaiman's own instruction at the beginning, I did not feel pressured to read every single essay in it. Rather, I skipped a few about other authors or subjects with which I was unfamiliar and felt I would not, at this time, be able to catch the full meaning or value. Some in that category I read anyway, in an attempt to learn.
I particularly enjoyed Gaiman's thoughts on reading and writing and the industry itself. I found those most applicable to my own life and interests. Any young reader or writer can benefit from the wisdom of someone who has already spent time - successfully! - in the world. Gaiman's thoughts are no exception.
There's plenty to enjoy here, particularly if you already enjoy Gaiman's writing style and work, or if you enjoy similar subject matter. He has a lot of interesting thoughts on a variety of things that were fun to read. Plus, an essay collection like this is always perfect to pick up at bedtime. You read one or two and can feel satisfied. No cliffhangers keeping you up until 1am - just good writing soothing your soul before sleep.
*To read other bloggers' thoughts on The View from the Cheap Seats, check out the full tour schedule.*
Quote I Loved: "I believe that in the battle between guns and ideas, ideas will, eventually, win."
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Will I Re-Read: Some of the pieces, yes
A Reduced Review: A peak into the mind and personality of Gaiman, seen from a "real life" perspective, rather than the typical, fantastical window.
Gaiman is a fascinating individual, both in his writing and in his real life. I'm definitely a fan!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.