In which CFJ is VERY late to the party...

[frahulettaes]

Look, here's the thing: If I hear or read that everyone and his bro/sis/mom/dad/uncle wtf-ever, loves something, I tend to run the other way. I don't generally like mass popular fiction/movies/songs/fandoms. And mostly that works for me. I like finding the little gems lost in the giant popular shuffle. But this is one time I have to concede that I was wrong.

I saw Stardust a couple of years ago and was vaguely disappointed. It seemed hopelessly over the top and more of the same fantasy triteness that I'd come to be really bored of a decade ago when I stopped reading fantasy/scifi fullstop. On a friend's recommendation I bought and tried to read Sandman and just...had no way to enter into what was being talked about. I just didn't get the whole graphic novel as great literature thing I was being sold so I gave it away.

So when I ran into Neil Gaiman AGAIN, I was less than enthusiastic to try than I might have been otherwise. It's gotten to the point in modern culture/writing/art that if you haven't read ANY Gaiman, you're going to be left in the cultural dust. So I sighed and huffed and blew and bought the Anansi Boys. I was at a terrific book store in Glendale called BookFellows, which, if you're in the neighborhood, please visit because it is the BEST Scifi/Fantasy/Horror and Mystery store I've ever found.

So, after like, six years of reading almost exclusively slash online for free, I bought and read a paper book. Like, woah.

And I have to say, I finally get what the blather is about. Boy, really good writing. Sort of like a really funny Vonnegut. Commentary, satire and good storytelling.

So I went to the library and got some more Gaiman. Graveyard book and some Sandman prequel and something called 1602. I still think I'm better off with his prose, the graphic novel has never really been my thing. But I'll read them and see what happens.

So, yeah. Late to the party. But hey, at least I made it. Is there still beer in the keg? *avoids drunken frat boy*

Comments

[manic1066.livejournal.com]

AM back on Sunday where I will stock you up on Gaiman - 1602 is acutally about Marvel superheroes - will dig out Sandman things

[frahulettaes.livejournal.com]

Have Preludes and Nocturnes, Graveyard Book, Coraline and Anansi. What else? Didn't much like Neverwhere but will try if pressed.

[pecos.livejournal.com]

You didn't even mention the fact that he's sexy rock star, did you?

[frahulettaes.livejournal.com]

um...no? I don't particularly find him that sexy but really, my sexy percieving oculars were burnt out by the white hot purity that is Jensen Ackles. :(