Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that there's a graphic sex scene early in the book and other references to sex and erections as the pages turn. Also, while there's not much violence compared to other fantasy novels, what is there is somewhat gruesome, especially the stabbing of a unicorn in the eye and its decapitation. Gaiman also manages to get in some swear words (including "f--k") and references to drinking and being drunk.
Families can talk about bringing a book to the big screen. How does the movie version compare? Do you think this book should have been made into a movie? What gets lost or is gained by creating a movie out of a novel? Families can also discuss the concept of love depicted here. In what way does Tristran love Victoria? How is that different from the way he feels about Yvaine? Why does he go on his quest? What does he learn along the way about true love?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
Though the reading level and type size make this book appear like any other fantasy aimed at older elementary- and middle-school readers, and though the movie will certainly make many tweens want to read the book, the graphic sex scene early in the story makes it clear that this book was never meant for children. Had that completely superfluous full-page description been left out, this book's audience would have been greatly expanded (despite some rather grisly violence toward animals). A poor marketing decision, it seems.
This book didn't make much of a splash when it was first published, but author Neil Gaiman has the hot hand now -- and a movie version -- so it's been reissued to coincide with the movie's release. The story itself is pleasant enough. Written in the style of a novel-length fairytale, it has both the advantages and disadvantages of that genre: the vivid magical setting and sense of surprise and wonder, but also the lack of any character development that might cause the reader to feel some emotional attachment. It's a lovely soap bubble, bright and glittering and entertaining, but without much heart.
From The Book
"For a kiss, and the pledge of your hand," said Tristran, grandiloquently, "I would bring you that fallen star."
He shivered. His coat was thin, and it was obvious he would not get his kiss, which he found puzzling. The manly heroes of the penny dreadfuls and shilling novels never had these problems getting kissed.
"Go on, then," said Victoria. "And if you do, I will."
Plot Summary:
Half-blood Tristran grew up on the human side of the wall between England and Faerie. One day, while trying to convince a local beauty to marry him -- or at least kiss him -- he promises to get her a fallen star (that happens to be a beautiful woman) that they saw shooting through the sky. Unfortunately, it (she) fell far on the other side of the wall.
So Tristran sets off through Faerie to try to find the star. But he's got some competition, as a witch-queen and her sisters want to catch the fallen star and cut out her heart while she's still alive in order to renew their youth. And, at the same time, three murderous princes set out to find the jewel that will give one of them the power to ascend their dead father's throne.
Related Books:
Other Books by Neil Gaiman
Coraline
M is for Magic
More Fairytale Novels
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber
Related Websites
Author's Site
Movie Site
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Sexual ContentA fairly graphic sex scene, sexual references, an oblique reference to erections. |
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ViolenceSome grisly violence including throat cutting, disemboweling animals, and killing a unicorn by stabbing it through the eye and then decapitating it. |
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LanguageSome swearing, including "f--k." |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoDrinking and drunkenness, smoking a pipe. |
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