phil_caron's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
una_10bananas's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
frogman_doug's review against another edition
5.0
As a Literature Major I will make it my purpose to get these books read in academia. The world doesn't deserve such golden works as these.
jdisarray's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.75
marinamelanidis's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bdesmond's review against another edition
5.0
The longest volume of The Sandman yet turned out to be one of the best. I will attempt to be vague reviewing it because discussing this volume in detail would easily creep into spoilerific territory And for that matter, so does the introduction by Frank McConnell. In fact I recommend that a first-time reader skips it entirely. Journey before destination and all that yada yada, I know. I stand by my recommendation.
The Kindly Ones is about Hippolyta Hall and her quest for vengeance against the dream lord (whom she blames for the disappearance of her child by her late-husband), as she seeks support from The Furies, the Kindly Ones. This revenge has deep-seated effects on the Dreaming and its inhabitants in the wake of Morpheus' doings with his son Orpheus in the volume previous.
This volume actually felt like the culmination of Gaiman's work on The Sandman, which has turned out to be an absolutely fantastic series about Lord Morpheus of the Dreaming, King of Stories, The Lord Shaper, brother to the other Endless, those being Destiny, Death, Destruction, Despair, Desire, and Delirium. Several different loose strands of story from the previous volumes are revived and concluded here in a very satisfying manner - which Gaiman has a habit of doing.
At its heart The Sandman is a story for those who love story. I count myself among those. I'm glad to have read it, and I am ready to see what the final volume has in store. I recommend this series to anyone. After all, where else can you see Lucifer running his own nightclub in L.A.?
The Kindly Ones is about Hippolyta Hall and her quest for vengeance against the dream lord (whom she blames for the disappearance of her child by her late-husband), as she seeks support from The Furies, the Kindly Ones. This revenge has deep-seated effects on the Dreaming and its inhabitants in the wake of Morpheus' doings with his son Orpheus in the volume previous.
This volume actually felt like the culmination of Gaiman's work on The Sandman, which has turned out to be an absolutely fantastic series about Lord Morpheus of the Dreaming, King of Stories, The Lord Shaper, brother to the other Endless, those being Destiny, Death, Destruction, Despair, Desire, and Delirium. Several different loose strands of story from the previous volumes are revived and concluded here in a very satisfying manner - which Gaiman has a habit of doing.
At its heart The Sandman is a story for those who love story. I count myself among those. I'm glad to have read it, and I am ready to see what the final volume has in store. I recommend this series to anyone. After all, where else can you see Lucifer running his own nightclub in L.A.?
corvusastrum's review
4.25
Spoiler
I think that was the first book-character death to ever make me cry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
nclcaitlin's review against another edition
4.5
Read for my degree - last text on my list before Christmas🎄
The Kindly Ones is the ninth collection of issues in the DC Comics series, The Sandman.
I haven’t read any of the previous instalments, yet I don’t think this is necessary to enjoy and become utterly immersed in this edition.
I haven’t had the best of luck with Neil Gaiman. I didn’t understand his humour and didn’t relate to any characters or themes. I’ve even read some of his graphic novels too but I still couldn’t understand the hype.
However….
This graphic novel? Phenomenal. The captivating, vivid artwork, the pure imagination and characterisation…
Finally, Gaiman’s writing was addictive, truth-piercing and generational.
‘Robespierre has been called an idealist by some and a dictator by others-neither side realizing that it's possible to be both at the same time. Idealistic dictators, of whom there have been many, are the most dangerous kind.’
‘YOU SHOULDN'T TRUST THE STORY-TELLER; ONLY TRUST THE STORY.’
I think Gaimen’s work can be summarised perfectly by New Musical Express:
"The state of the art as far as mainstream adult comics are concerned; a head-on collision of metaphysics, myth and mayhem.”