Book 17 - A Collection of Strange, Strange Fiction

Title: Trigger Warning Author: Neil Gaiman Genre: surrealist short-fiction anthology

More than anything, experiencing this fantastical collection made me want to crack open a new notebook and get writing again.

I think I've said this before, in my review of the Ocean at the End of the Lane, but I've never been a hugehuge Gaiman fan. Neverwhere was super British; Stardust was adorable; and American Gods was a tale of epic proportions that, in my opinion, amounted to a big fucking letdown. But then, Ocean at the End of the Lane blew my mind with it's Madeline L'Engle-esque science-fueled fairytale vibe, and Trigger Warning, despite my initial misgivings, not only began with a bang but has even elevated my newfound love for Neil Gaiman.

In his trademark, chillingly surrealist way, Neil slides effortlessly from story to story (and sometimes poem...yeck), spanning all kinds of genres and themes - there's fan fiction, there's horror, there's invisible girlfriends...nothing is off limits. There are so many ideas executed so well in such a small space it makes me weep for how tiny my own imagination seems in comparison. A few of my favourite tales are:

* Nothing O'clock (if it's anything like this story, I really need to watch Dr. Who one of these days)

* Jerusalem (so simple, so strange, so effortlessly moving)

* Click Clack the Rattlebag (one long, skin-crawly work: creeeeeepy)

To my surprise, I even liked the short story from the American God's universe, which closes off the collection by taking the reader along a thoroughly creepy encounter at Shadow's side.

And So, the Takeaway

Neil, would you stop being so amazing and give the rest of us a chance? JEEZ.

Rating: 📠📠📠📠/5

Sorry buddy, gotta take one away because: poems. I have yet to find any kind of love/passion for poems, and it definitely didn't suddenly blossom in this case.