altayyuce's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Sexual violence, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Child abuse, Confinement, Blood, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Suicide
ky001113's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Moderate: Blood, Death, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Violence, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Physical abuse, and Rape
Minor: Pedophilia
bibliophilicjester's review against another edition
1.5
This was... shockingly bad.
I'm sure it was a Big Edgy Deal in the 90s or whatever, but what the actual fuck did I read?!
Morpheus was vaguely interesting in the beginning, but by the later volumes, it felt like an entirely different character (not just bc the illustrators etc made him look more human). Death was fantastic and I wish we'd spent more time with her.
I also kind of liked the midsummer night's dream one because I love the play.
Most of this didn't connect at all except for, oh hey it's the sandman! I was never a superhero comic book person, and so I have no idea who all the random (I assume DC?) characters who popped in were, and I honestly didn't care.
Really, this is a vaguely connected bunch of stories that maybe have something to do with dreams. Occasionally. I was sold on the mix of mythologies and dreamscape type things, but that's not at all what I got.
What *did* I get? Boobs. A fuck ton of boobs. Lots of objectifying women. Sexual assault. Frequent rape - in fact, when one character literally acquires possession of a woman, the first thing he does is rape her. There's a convention of serial killers (with some admittedly clever puns) who call themselves collectors. There are literal JOKES about rape. I really wish I was exaggerating. Homophobia. Pedophilia. Idk if I can even list all the TW/CW bc there's just so much. And no, the behavior is not corrected.
I have no desire (side note: desire was an interesting character) to watch the adaptation, though the things I've heard about it seems positive. Or at least like gaiman and crew are trying to make it less offensive (she said hopefully). I'm assuming the mc is called dream most often in the adaptation bc that's how most reviews refer to him, though he has many names in these volumes.
I honestly don't recommend this at all. To anyone. It wasn't dark..just a lot of gratuitous violence and gore and way too much boobs/sex/zero consent. I will now be extra careful with book recommendations from people who have given this 5 stars. Truly.
Graphic: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Child abuse, Rape, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, Torture, Pedophilia, Transphobia, Sexual violence, and Murder
tinuviel77's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Animal death, and Child abuse
alphabetseeds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Child abuse, and Rape
Minor: Homophobia, Animal cruelty, and Ableism
kaiyakaiyo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Child abuse, and Death