A review by mimosaeyes
The Doll's House, by Neil Gaiman
4.0
Oh, now. This is just unreasonably good. The unifying motif of the doll's house - the way the narrative centres on mortal characters' interactions with otherworldly ones - those last few pages drawing it all together - just, chef's kiss.
There's something about the position of Dream in this story that I can't really put into words, but I know I like it. It's something about how he feels curiously absent from the story. He's the protagonist of this series, but he doesn't feel like the protagonist of this arc, which has fascinating implications on the thematic concerns I've mentioned above.
Some interesting and likeable supporting characters are introduced in this volume. I note a certain level of diverse representation too, which is neat. Most of all, though, I'm just marvelling at the mastery with which Gaiman has woven this story together. It's not often you get such a perfect confluence - a story that engages you both emotionally and intellectually, and makes it all feel effortless.
There's something about the position of Dream in this story that I can't really put into words, but I know I like it. It's something about how he feels curiously absent from the story. He's the protagonist of this series, but he doesn't feel like the protagonist of this arc, which has fascinating implications on the thematic concerns I've mentioned above.
Some interesting and likeable supporting characters are introduced in this volume. I note a certain level of diverse representation too, which is neat. Most of all, though, I'm just marvelling at the mastery with which Gaiman has woven this story together. It's not often you get such a perfect confluence - a story that engages you both emotionally and intellectually, and makes it all feel effortless.