My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow, I had no idea Neil Gaiman had written that many introductions and speeches.
Nor did I know that he thought his stories have genders (and apparently that I am sort of sexist, having read only his little-boy's book, Neverwhere, and his male novel, American Gods; I'm not counting Sandman, some volumes are male, others female).
I thought Gaiman had been celebrated a little too much in his lifetime compared to his work volume, but this non-fiction collection, besides being a name-dropping parade itself, is the proof why.
This man loves books, libraries, storytellers and their stories and speaks no ill of anyone. Period.
He has such a love for the genre that moved him originally to write stories, that he's made me fill three airsickness bags, back and front, with notes and references of books, authors, comics and artists I want to follow and find out more about. He made me chuckle one too many times and he moved me to tears just by talking with such fondness about people I haven't heard before.
This non-fiction collection will make you all wooshy woobly warm and fuzzy inside for the things Neil Gaiman loves. I don't know if I'll be an avid fantasy/science fiction reader after this, but sure I'll give it an honest try. And I'll look up his movie suggestions and music recommendations. And I'll try to move myself closer to whatever is the mountain that I'd like to see its top. And I'll try to make good art.
Neil Gaiman has met giants and has walked among them, and, well, you can say, after all is said done, he is rightfully one of them.
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