The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction

by Neil Gaiman, Marlon James (Foreword)

An outstanding array—52 pieces in all—of selected fiction from the multiple-award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, curated by his readers around the world, and introduced with a foreword by Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James

Spanning Gaiman’s career to date, The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction is a captivating collection from one of the world’s most beloved writers, chosen by those who know his work best: his devoted readers. 

A brilliant representation of Gaiman's groundbreaking, entrancing, endlessly imaginative fiction, this captivating volume includes excerpts from each of his five novels for adults —Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys, and The Ocean at the End of the Lane—and nearly fifty of his short stories. 

Impressive in its depth and range, The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction is both an entryway to Gaiman’s oeuvre and a literary trove Gaiman fans old and new will return to many times over.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Short Stories, Audiobook, Horror, Science Fiction, Anthologies

752 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2020

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s more. Toni Morrison once wrote that Tolstoy could never have known that he was writing for a black girl in Lorraine, Ohio. Neil could never have known that he was writing for a confused Jamaican kid who, without even knowing it, was still staggering from centuries of erasure of his own gods and monsters. Sure, myths were religions once, but they are at the core of a people’s and a nation’s identity. So, when I saw Anansi, on the other side of erasure, responding to being rubbed out and forgotten, I found myself wondering who the hell was this man from the UK who just restored our story. I understood what being taken away from out myths meant for me, but I had never considered what it meant for the myth.
—Marlon James from the introductory forward of The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction

It’s a revisit with old friends or more like a visit with an image caught when you knew them because they haven’t changed. All but one story, “Monkey and the Lady,” readers selected on an Internet poll. So, familiar to long time readers or a good introduction for new ones.
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Generously provided by:

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a history and snapshot of some of Neil's writings with excerpts from a few stories. Well crafted. 8 of 10 stars

[luce (cry bebè's back from hiatus)]

DISLAIMER: i wrote this review prior the allegations so it reflects a view of gaiman that i no longer have. i know some people are able to divorce a work from its author, while others go full on full on damnatio memoriae...i for one am no longer interested in engaging with the work of someone as vile as gaiman "allegedly" is.


The Neil Gaiman Reader showcases Gaiman's range as an author. Gaiman moves between genres and tones like no other. From funny fairy-talesque stories to more ambiguous narratives with dystopian or horror elements. While I have read most of his novels and a few of his novellas I hadn't really 'sunk' my teeth in his short stories. The ones that appear in this collection have been selected by his own fans, and are presented in chronological order. While it was interesting to see the way his writing developed I did not prefer his newer stuff to his older one. In fact, some of my favorite of his stories are the ones from the 80s and 90s. Even then his writing demonstrates both humor and creativity. Some of the stories collected here read like morality tales while others offer more perplexing messages. Many of his stories revolve around the act of storytelling or have a story-within-story structure. At times he retells old classics, such as Sleeping Beauty, while other times he offers his own take on Cthulhu, Sherlock Holmes, and even Doctor Who. A few favorites of mine were: 'Chivalry', 'Murder Mysteries', 'The Goldfish and Other Stories', 'The Wedding Present', and 'October in the Chair'. If you are a Gaiman fan and, like me, have not read many of his short stories you should definitely consider picking this collection up.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read "The Sandman" last year, and tempted as I was to simply start rereading it, there are still many unread novels and short story collections by Neil Gaiman that I want to read, so I'm going to make a start on that first. This book seemed a good launching point - I bought it last year, and it's been near the top of my reading pile ever since - - it took me a little while to actually get to it, but it was worth the wait.

It was fun in a way I hadn't expected to read the selections, which are arranged in order of publication. I never had a period that stood out - as in I enjoyed early Gaiman, recent Gaiman, and all the years in between.

I didn't read this book on a daily basis, often instead saving it for a day when I had an hour or more to lose myself completely in two or three stories. I loved them all, but I will list a few favourites, if only so this review has something to it!

-Murder Mysteries (1992)
-The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories (1996)
-A Study in Emerald (2003)
-The Problem of Susan (2004)
-The Return of the Thin White Duke (2004)
-'The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains...' (2010)
-The Case of Death and Honey (2011)
-Black Dog (2015)

These are probably the ones I have spent the most time thinking about, especially "Murder Mysteries" which I keep returning to in my head over and over.

The introduction, written by Marlon James, was also excellent and thought-provoking. I have a couple of his novels to read soon as well, which I am looking forward to.

[Caro the Helmet Lady]

thanks Neil for making us all feel shitty.

[Kayla Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. Neil Gaiman is one of my all time favorite authors, and I was so excited to see what stories were going to be included in this collection. Including stories from the start of his career to some of his most recent, The Neil Gaiman Reader is a fantastic collection. Perfect for long time fans, who are familiar with is work or for someone picking up one of his stories for the very first time. The short stories included were selected by a vote from readers, meaning that there is a fantastic range of stories included. Also included are excerpts from five of Gaiman's novels,, perfect snippets of story to entice those who may not have read them and great reminders for those that have. The Neil Gaiman Reader is a collection of short stories not to be missed.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's strange. I’ve bought every Neil Gaiman short story collection over the years. And yet many of these feel brand new to me, as if I’m reading them for the first time.

Part of that may be that I've yet to reread any of those books. So, if I’ve read any given story more than once, it's because I’ve encountered it more than once. In some cases, that's because I’ve read a particular various authors anthology--Legends II, for example. In others, it's because I’ve read the graphic novel adaptation. There have certainly been a lot of those over the years …

(Aside: Taking a peek at my Neil Gaiman books on the shelf, I notice one particular short story collection--or at least, that's what I recall it to be--that isn't listed among his collections on the Also by Neil Gaiman page: Angels and Visitations. Odd. I wonder why that is?)

Part of that is simply Neil’s gift for writing. His work is so irresistible and compelling that it feels fresh and new every time.

There's also a sense of … I don't know … inevitability? Some of the stories--particularly the fairytale retellings--feel more discovered than written. It's as if they were always there, just waiting for someone with just the right cast of mind to come along and suss them out.

Gaiman’s use of language and tone often put me in mind of Harlan Ellison or Ray Bradbury. Like them, he has a similar knack for blurring the line between fantasy and reality in a way that approaches poetry.

If you’ve never read Neil Gaiman before, this book is an excellent place to start, with short stories and excerpts from some of his novels spanning his entire career. Highly, highly recommended!

[Sad Sunday (Books? Me?!? NEVER!!!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be brief - this is out-of-this-world fantastic and N. Gaiman is a grand-master of short stories. Loved all choices, never read anything like it - he masterfully conveys tons of emotions simply by doing a great job and not trying too hard (or at least how it seems). I hope by reading it, I became a better writer (at least by 0,000000000001% :P).

Forever a fan.

[Amanda NEVER MANDY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains 52 entries that consist of short stories and tidbits of novels from Gaiman’s career to date (1984 – 2018). I went into this book with the hopes it would be mostly new to me stories but that was not the case. For a person that does not like doing rereads, I still managed to enjoy the journey so there is that. I did consider for a moment breaking this review down by entry but felt that would be overkill because I have already done reviews on most of them. If that disappoints you then comment below and I will do nothing.

I think this would be the perfect book for somebody that is brand new to the author as well as the reader that is already familiar with him. It would probably be a terrible book for somebody that loathes him and/or his writing. In conclusion, I am recommending it to new and existing readers but not to haters. Step off haters.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several Neil Gaiman stories but this collection also contained many I hadn't read before. I enjoyed revisiting old favourites and discovering new delights.

One of the stories really piqued my interest so I asked Neil Gaiman on Tumblr about it. He actually responded and here is his answer. And yes it is really him. You should check it out for fascinating tidbits about his writing.


----
(Key: ✔️ = read, ✅ = read the whole book, x = link to separate review)

✔️ We Can Get Them for You Wholesale x
✔️ 'I, Cthulhu'
✔️ Nicholas Was...
✔️ Babycakes
✔️ Chivalry
✔️ Murder Mysteries
✔️ Troll Bridge
✔️ Snow, Glass, Apples x
✔️ Only the End of the World Again
✔️ Don't Ask Jack
✅ Excerpt from Neverwhere
✔️ The Daughter of Owls
✔️ The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories
✔️ The Price
✔️ Shoggoth's Old Peculiar
✔️ The Wedding Present
✔️ When We Went to See the End of the World by Dawnie Morningside, Age 11 1/4
✔️ The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch
✔️ Changes
✅ Excerpt from Stardust x
✔️ Harlequin Valentine
✅ Excerpt from American Gods x
✔️ Other People
✔️ Strange Little Girls
✔️ October in the Chair
✔️ Closing Time
✔️ A Study in Emerald
✔️ Bitter Grounds
✔️ The Problem of Susan x
✔️ Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire
✔️ The Monarch of the Glen x
✔️ The Return of the Thin White Duke
✅ Excerpt from Anansi Boys x
✔️ Sunbird
✔️ How to Talk to Girls at Parties
Feminine Endings
✔️ Orange
✔️ Mythical Creatures
✔️ 'The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains...'
✔️ The Thing About Cassandra
✔️ The Case of Death and Honey
✔️ The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury
✅ Excerpt from The Ocean at the End of the Lane x
✔️ Click-Clack the Rattlebag x
✔️ The Sleeper and the Spindle
✔️ A Calendar of Tales
✔️ Nothing O'Clock
✔️ A Lunar Labyrinth
✔️ Down to a Sunless Sea
✔️ How the Marquis Got His Coat Back
✔️ Black Dog x
✔️ Monkey and the Lady

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Sure, I’d read more than half of the 52 short stories included in this collection in other short story collections by Gaiman but they’re just so good that I didn’t mind reading them again. And amongst those 52 stories there were a few that I hadn’t read so that was a lot of fun.

The stories range from 1984 to 2018 and it was great reading them in chronological order to really get a grasp of how Gaiman’s writing really evolved throughout the years. Some of the earlier work I hadn’t read (particularly Nicholas Was… (1989) and Murder Mysteries (1992)) so that was really cool. His writing has always been amazing but man his growth is crazy. He’s always had that Neil Gaiman style but it’s established now.

I think this would be a good starting place for someone trying to get into Neil Gaiman’s work and it’s also perfect for people who are already huge fans of his like myself. It was a fantastic read.

[Ettelwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kromě Severské mytologie a Odda, jsem si s Gaimanem zatím moc neporozuměla. A ani tady naše cesta nebyla vůbec přímá. Tak proč čtyři hvězdičky? Protože to bez debat bylo skvělé. Protože středobodem nezdaru jsem tentokráte já. Věci, ve kterých se mísí pořádná porce našeho světa s jakýmsi podivnem, mysterióznem i fantastikou, pro mě vždycky měly zvláštní příchuť. Překážka, kterou jsem nikdy nepřekonala a asi nikdy nepřekonám.

Gaiman umí úžasný věci. Dokáže jednoho zalarmovat. Dostat mu brouka do hlavy. Doslova mu vnutit úvahy nad běžností, na kterou tak často zapomínáme.

Nelituju.

[Dan Trefethen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two types of readers in this world:

Those who love to read Neil Gaiman, and those who haven't discovered him...yet.

OK, I exaggerate. But Neil is so crafty, so clever, so careful with language, that there's probably something for everyone. I'm not wild about everything he has written, but I can always admire how he does it.

This compendium has 47 short stories and short excerpts (10 pages or so) from his novels. A couple of the stories tie into his novel “American Gods” and one ties to “Neverwhere”. Two novels not excerpted that I missed were “The Graveyard Book” and “Good Omens” (perhaps because it was a collaboration with Terry Pratchett).

Neil is unabashedly genre, but he has an interesting niche. His horror is not as horrific as Stephen King, his humor is not as funny as Pratchett, but he occupies a sweet spot between them. Coming from a comics background, he often goes for a visually arresting image in his fiction, and he's always clever about leading up to it.

Where Neil excels is in taking a theme or characters from myth, legend, fairy tale, old genre stories, and repositioning them in a modern context. He has written entire books like this (“American Gods”, “Anansi Boys”, “Norse Mythology”), but his short stories are quick snippets of reference that are clever in their twisty way, whether written for shudders or for laughs. Neil loves to deeply mine the riches of the fantastic.

There are also a couple of fun homages, “The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury” being full of Easter egg references to Bradbury stories (try to spot them all!), and “Nothing O'Clock” being a Dr. Who pastiche.

If I have a gripe, it's because the stories are printed in chronological order, and Neil's earliest stories are a little shallow and thin in their tricksy behavior. I can almost recommend reading this book backwards, since I wouldn't want someone to be put off by Neil's journeyman work.

Still, Neil selected these stories because they represent his full range, and it's fun to review in one place the career arc (so far) of this remarkable artist.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free, advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Melinda Nankivell · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful and diverse collection! Dark fairytales, humour, creepy children, trolls and fairies, and even an homage to David Bowie, some Doctor Who and short stories with Shadow from American Gods. This really does have it all and although it’s a huge book, the short stories meant I could dip in and out while reading other books.

Gaiman truly is today’s Grimm brothers.

[Kelly Furniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
A big weighty tomb of a collection of all different stories.
Some I wasn't keen on others I loved ( Troll Bridge👹). As a fan, many of these I had come across before. But I think everyone would find something here of interest, existing fans and readers new to his work.
This brilliant collection showcases Gaiman's marvellous imagination and his skills of creative writing exhibiting an array of emotions, sad, funny, serious, scary, strange, weird and most of all thought provoking, his stories always make me stop, think and reflect.
A book I would certainly recommend and pure escapism in strange times as we start off the New Year 2001.

[Farah Mendlesohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all collections a bit uneven, and tastes will vary, but overall a fascinating collection of the weird, the ghostly and the unnerving.

[Romulus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nie jestem miłośnikiem opowiadań Neila Gaimana, ponieważ na ogół krótkich form literackich nie lubię. Mimo to lubię wyobraźnię Gaimana. "Sandman" czy "Amerykańscy bogowie" to dla mnie dwa najważniejsze tytuły autora i zaliczają się do najważniejszych tytułów w ogóle.

Ten zbiór to też najlepsze z najlepszych opowiadań Gaimana. Ułożone chronologicznie, co pozwala prześledzić rozwój jego twórczości. Choć nie sądzę, aby to było najważniejsze. Aczkolwiek, selekcja do tego zbioru odbyła się na podstawie internetowego głosowania zatem to bardziej "mądrość tłumu" niż efekt fachowego namysłu. Doskonała szata edytorska sprawia, że chętnie zostawię tę książkę na półce a pozbędę się zbiorów opowiadań w innych wydaniach.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire anthology was a re-read for me, anywhere from the third to the fifth time, depending on the story. That alone should tell you how I feel about Gaiman's writing. Anthologies usually have weaker pieces, but when you're as prolific as he is, and you let your readers decide what to include in them, there's very little room for improvement. That said, I would have picked different excerpts from his novels, but of course, that's because I've already read them. Both as an introduction to his writing and as a comfort anthology you can pick up when you need to read a little Gaiman, this is a fantastic collection.

[Morgan]

This is a hefty read, but it’s one that can be taken in bits and pieces, a short story here and a shorter one there. Every bit is wonderful, from Gaiman’s earliest works to those from the past few years. A few of them, such as “The Sleeper and the Spindle” and “How to Talk to Girls at Parties” have grown into other forms beyond a short story, but they are absolutely fantastic in their original form.
This collection is well suited for anyone from a Neil Gaiman novice to a reader who’s been following his entire career. Those already familiar with his work will be drawn into stories they already know and might find something they haven’t previously read. For the beginners, this hefty book will give representation of the multifaceted, often fantastical literature of Neil Gaiman.
If nothing else, who doesn’t want a book with Neil Gaiman’s face on the cover on their coffee table?

[ashareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil Gaiman’s latest book, The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction, is perfect for Neil Gaiman fans! It’s also a great first book to pick up for readers who never read his work, but are interested in reading fantasy and don’t know where to start. It’s amazing to see how his writing has changed through the years and that he truly can write anything from happy to shivers up your spine type stories. Though the book may seem intimidating by size, don’t let that stop you! There are quite a few stories in here are truly gems. I highly recommend picking this one up regardless of what you read. You won’t regret it!

Disclaimer: I received a finished copy of this book from William Morrow in exchange for my honest opinion. This has no effect on my opinion, review, or rating.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite stories were:
*We Can Get Them for You Wholesale
*The Price
*The Wedding Present
*Other People
*The Monarch of the Glen
*Sunbird
*The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury
*Nothing O'clock
*Black Dog

Before this collection, I was not aware that Shadow from American Gods appeared in other stories.

[M L · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 love gaiman so much, but for some reason this really makes me want to read something by Alan Moore

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection!

[Susan]

Foreword essay by Marlon James 5/23/2021
Preface essay 5/23/2021
We Can Get Them for You Wholesale 5/23/2021
I, Cthulhu
Nicholas Was ... 5/24/2021 (says no poems, so Neil doesn't consider this a poem)
Babycakes 5/24/2021
Chivalry 5/27/2021
Murder Mysteries 5/27/2021
Troll Bridge 5/29/2021
Snow, Glass, Apples 5/29/2021
Only the End of the World Again 6/6/2021
Don't Ask Jack 6/6/2021
Neverwhere (excerpt) 6/7/2021
The Daughter of Owls 6/7/2021
The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories 6/11/2021
The Price 6/11/2021
Shoggoth's Old Peculiar 6/12/2021
The Wedding Present 6/12/2021
When We Went to See the End of the World by Dawnie Morningside, Age 11¼? 6/13/2021
The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch 6/13/2021
Changes 6/14/2021
Stardust (excerpt) 6/14/2021
Harlequin Valentine 6/15/2021
American Gods (excerpt) 6/15/2021
Other People 6/16/2021
Strange Little Girls 6/16/2021
October in the Chair 6/17/2021
Closing Time 6/17/2021
A Study in Emerald 6/21/2021
Bitter Grounds 6/21/2021
The Problem of Susan 6/23/2021
Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire 6/23/2021
The Monarch of the Glen 6/24/2021
The Return of the Thin White Duke 6/24/2021
Anansi Boys (excerpt) 6/25/2021
Sunbird 6/25/2021
How to Talk to Girls at Parties 6/26/2021
Feminine Endings 6/26/2021
Orange 6/28/2021
Mythical Creatures 6/27/2021
"The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains..." 6/27/2021
The Thing About Cassandra 6/28/2021
The Case of Death and Honey 7/2/2021
The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (excerpt)
Click-Clack the Rattlebag
The Sleeper and the Spindle
A Calendar of Tales
Nothing O'Clock
A Lunar Labyrinth
Down to a Sunless Sea
How the Marquis Got His Coat Back
Black Dog
Monkey and the Lady

[Sergey Selyutin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is the recipe for this compilation:

1) Add together the contents of Smoke and Mirrors, Fragile Things and Trigger Warning collections
2) Subtract from the sum all those nice introductions to individual short stories
3) Subtract some weaker stories
4) Subtract all the pieces of poetry
5) Add (completely unnecessary) extracts from the novels by Neil Gaiman
6) Add a short story I, Cthulhu that you can read for free on Neil Gaiman's web-site
7) Add a short story Mythical Creatures (2008)
8) Add a short story Monkey and the Lady (2018)
9) Add a very brief introduction by Neil Gaiman
10) Add an introduction by Marlon James, who might be a good writer (I have never read anything by him), but obviously fails to get that aforementioned I, Cthulhu (just as the two other Cthulhu mythos short stories in the collection) are spoofs, and meant not to scare but make you laugh.

If you have never read anything by Neil Gaiman, buy this book. If you are a long-time fan, there is very little new material for you here.

[Peter Tillman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A huge collection, and definitely a mixed bag. ToC and story histories: https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?...

I wasn't feeling well when I read this, as a library ebook, and the book came due before I finished it. Note that there are several novel excerpts included, all of which I skipped. Highlights by memory ( (I didn't take notes), ranked in order, best first:
● The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains (2010), novelette. 5-star story!
● October in the Chair (2002), 4.5 stars
● Troll Bridge (1993), 4 stars.
Short stories unless otherwise noted.
There may be some other Good Stuff I should call out. If so I don't remember them. Too bad I waited this long to write this up!

And past that, a lot of ephemera and things I didn't care for. But the best carried the collection. If you are a Gaiman fan you will definitely want to check this out.

[Lucka Strmisková · Rating 5 out of 5]

Čteno ušima: Gaiman si svou čítanku načetl sám a poslouchat ho byla čistá radost. Sbírka ukazuje, jak geniálním autorem Gaiman je a jak obrovskou má fantazii. Některé povídky byly zábavné, některé napínavé a některé velmi znepokojivé. A pak jsou tam takové, které ve mně budou rezonovat ještě dlouho (Babycakes; Murder mysteries; Snow, glass, apples; The wedding present; The thing about Cassandra; Black dog).

[Samantha C.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I anticipated that this book would be 5 stars and I was certainly correct! It was wonderfully curated, each piece flowed effortlessly into the next one and it was a perfect mix of selections and standalone prose. Gaiman is one of my favorite authors and this collection just cemented it, I recommend it to those who are just starting to explore his work and for longtime fans!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Neil Gaiman can be a magnificent story teller (see: The Graveyard Book, Neverwhere, The Ocean at the End of the Lane), but he isn't always (see: Anansi Boys, American Gods). This collection leans heavily toward the latter category. In fact it isn't actually that he tells the stories badly, it's more that the stories are deeply troubling, and not in a good way. I wish I hadn't read them.