Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders

Gaiman, Neil

ISBN 10: 0062003674 ISBN 13: 9780062003676

Publisher: HarperAudio, 2010

Synopsis

A mysterious circus terrifies an audience for one extraordinary performance before disappearing into the night, taking one of the spectators along with it . . . In a novella set two years after the events ofAmerican Gods, Shadow pays a visit to an ancient Scottish mansion, and finds himself trapped in a game of murder and monsters . . . In a Hugo Award-winning short story set in a strangely altered Victorian England, the great detective Sherlock Holmes must solve a most unsettling royal murder . . . Two teenage boys crash a party and meet the girls of their dreams—and nightmares . . . In a Locus Award-winning tale, the members of an exclusive epicurean club lament that they've eaten everything that can be eaten, with the exception of a legendary, rare, and exceedingly dangerous Egyptian bird . . . Such marvelous creations and more—including a short story set in the world ofThe Matrix, and others set in the worlds of gothic fiction and children's fiction—can be found in this extraordinary collection, which showcases Gaiman's storytelling brilliance as well as his terrifyingly entertaining dark sense of humor. By turns delightful, disturbing, and diverting, Fragile Things is a gift of literary enchantment from one of the most unique writers of our time.

About this title

Review:

"One delight after another." -- Booklist (starred review)

"FRAGILE THINGS is a delightful compendium...[Gaiman] is indeed a national treasure."--Washington Post Book World

"A powerful and oddly unified collection, a perfect introduction to Gaiman's work for new readers and a thrilling reminder to his long-time fans . . . [T]he shorter prose form allows Gaiman a greater freedom of whimsy and provocation than even his graphic work, with stunning results."--Toronto Star

"Readers will be reminded most in these stories of that master craftsman...Ray Bradbury...Gothic tales of high caliber."--Baltimore Sun

"Fiercely playful and very grim, wisps of whimsy and wonder buoyed by the happy heart of a tragic poet."--USA Today

"Those with a taste for inventive idiosyncracy will find themselves fully rewarded."--San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

"Charming, at times creepy, and good fun . . . [W]ell-worth adding to any collection; highly recommended."--Library Journal

"[Gaiman] is a one-man story engine. . . . FRAGILE THINGS is a delightful compendium . . . [Gaiman] is indeed a national treasure."--Washington Post Book World

"Strange, or sweet, or eerie, or heartfelt stories . . . wonderfully peculiar . . . Gaiman relishes the sacred act of telling stories."--Entertainment Weekly

"Lush prose...and a winning faith in the enchantment of stories. Expect the unexpected. Then savor the chills."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Book Description:

A dazzling collection of short stories from one of modern fiction's greatest and most imaginative writers.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0062003674
• ISBN 13: 9780062003676
• Binding: Audio CD