Speaking in Tongues

by Neil Gaiman

Three stories and two poems written and read by the author.
01. Daughter of Owls
02. Instructions
03. The Price
04. The Sea Change
05. The Facts In The Case of The Departure Of Miss Finch

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

Audio CD

First published January 31, 2004

Reviews

[Dev · Rating 2 out of 5]

actual rating: 2.5

So turns out I had actually read most of this before. Normally I would complain about that but I think this was kind of a limited release CD sort of thing so I guess it makes sense that he would put them in other story collections later on. Still, I didn't really enjoy it and I needed it for a book published in 2004 for a challenge so two stars it is. A single CD audiobook with a few short stories on it is cool as a nostalgia value kind of thing, but I didn't really care for any of the stories actually featured.

Instructions and The Sea Change were the two poems and those were both new to me. I liked instructions and the other one was just okay really. Daughter of Owls I had read in a graphic novel before and while I'm not wild about it I guess it does handle sexual assault in a better way than many of his other works. I haaate The Price so much and this is the THIRD collection I've seen it in. Dear authors, stop making me sad about cats! I didn't even listen to this time but it makes me remember it and I hate it! The Facts In The Case of The Departure Of Miss Finch I actually listened to like fifteen full minutes of before realizing that I had heard it before so that's how much of an impression that particular story made on me.

[Alatea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing about Neil Gaiman that fasinates me the most is his creativity - his ability to create so many unique, entertaining stories that are so different from each other. And this collection of short stories, even though by far not the best work by Gaiman, proves it well.

[David Raz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this in mp3 format, as part of the Neil Gaiman Rarities Humble Bundle. I am not a big fan of listening to literature and it took me years to get myself to listen to it.
The collection does not contain much material, and even less that was new to me. It is still a fine collection of Gaiman's short creations, but as I already encountered almost all of it, I was hoping for added value coming from Gaiman's narration. While Gaiman is not a big dramatic reader, his soothing voice does fit the material and punctuates the wit, though I can't say it was much more entertaining than reading the thing yourself. On the other hand, The "music" and sound effects combining the things was distracting and redundant. I suppose it was meant to create an atmosphere, but it didn't work for me.
The bottom line is that I'm still not sure there is much added value in this over reading the stories in paper (or on screen). I give it three stars out of five, if only for the novelty (in my eyes).

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really dig Gaiman's writing. This little collection, which seems to only exist in audio format, is a gem. Gaiman himself reads the stories and poems and interstitial music is by Adam Stemple (Jane Yolen's son), whose work, both written and musical I have enjoyed in the past. The only thing that marred an otherwise perfect audio-fiction experience, is that despite the musical interludes (or perhaps because they weren't limited to between the 5 pieces of writing) it was slightly difficult to tell when one piece ended and one began. There was no declaiming of the title or anything like that. Just a launching into the meat of it. But this was not enough to dock off a star, mostly because when I'm walking around town or putzing around the house, it happens that I am sometimes distracted from listening in a way that doesn't happen when reading. It could have been me.

[April Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what you'd expect from a collection of Gaiman's short stories: wit, warmth, surprising insights and a touch of melancholy.

[Emy M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I wonder if fairies could really exist among us and if that were the case what sort of wonderful and mysterious tales they could shower us with. Well, if that was indeed the case then I'm 100% Neil Gaiman is more fae than human, or maybe just his mind is. I mean the man spins the most magical and beautiful stories like Rumpelstiltskin spun gold out of straw! The Daughter of Owls especially had my eyes widening like saucers. Yep, Neil Gaiman's mind is a national treasure and it should be protected AT ALL COSTS!!!

[Jolene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this collection of short stories on audible.com. and really enjoyed it. It is narrated by Neil Gaiman who has a hypnotic, soothing and calming way of transporting you to another fantastical and creepy reality. If you like Neil Gaiman you will enjoys these.

[Sara Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this is a collection of short stories and poems, it is somewhat difficult to rate this book as a whole. I found some stories fascinated and entertained me more than others.
I would rate the Instructions poem (a poem about what to do if you find yourself in a fairy tale) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Daniel Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stars 1-4 for the stories and poems, which are crisp and interesting and laden with good language. Star 5 is for the luxuriant revelry wrought by Gaiman's voice.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short story.

[Hanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.6

[Nishant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so good. But my counter for the year is going up.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories here aren't among my favorites of Gaiman's, but him telling them elevates them to something just a bit more special. I'm a sucker for a Neil Gaiman audiobook.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the short stories Miss Finch and The Price. I didn't really get into the poems or the other short story.

[nic p · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughter of Owls 4.5/5
Instructions 4/5
The Price 4.5/5
The Sea Change 3.5/5
The Facts In The Case of The Departure Of Miss Finch 3/5

[Ondřej · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuťovka. Zvlášť kočičí povídka.

[Charles Lupo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories read by Neil Gaiman. He is such a good narrator. Seems to be only available on audible.com.

Three of the selections are very short, the last 2 are more story length, all are on the creepy side.
If you have an audible account and like anything by Neil Gaiman, you will like these too.

My only complaint is the music/sound effects. The mix is horrible, with the music *significantly* louder than the narration, and in several places (chapter #4) it is hard to hear the story because of this.

Recommended.

[Fugo Feedback]

Supongo que este "audio book" lo tengo como "to read" porque lo marqué en la época en la que le daba al to-read ante cada libro de un autor que me gusta que no conociera. Creo que algunos de los cuentos los tengo en libro, después tengo que chequear.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories themselves are wonderful, creepy and unsettling. Pure Neil Gaiman yarns through and through.

My only complaint with this is the music and audio effects that overpower the narration at points. It gets annoying really quickly.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neil Gaiman writes stories as if they have always been there. He reads stories as they should be heard. These tales are sometimes good campfire stories. At other times these stories for floating in the clouds.

[Serge Boucher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but good. Audio production is typically brilliant.

[Xa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about audio books is Neil reading his stories.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this at a Can't Stop the Serenity event. Love it as I love his other work. (And just listening to him speak, whatever he says, is always worth the price of admission.)

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super quick read. 3 short stories and 2 poems. So good. The audiobook is actually read by Neil Gaiman; I love listening to him read his own stuff.

[Al Costa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for the musical interludes and even the stories weren't as good as typical Neil Gaiman stuff is.

[Turtle713 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Gaiman-persoectivey. Interesting.

[Dragonlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adored this.

[Mayumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosto muito do Neil Gaiman lendo os próprios contos/poemas. E apesar de achar a música um pouco invasiva, gostei muito da música de fundo do Adam Stemple também.