Thoughts on Stardust (audio) by Neil Gaiman
Title: Stardust [Audiobook] [Physical]
Author: Neil Gaiman
Narrator: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Fantasy
Running Time: 6 hours 38 minutes
Date Published: October 30, 2012
I’m actually quite embarrassed that I’ve never read any Neil Gaiman, so when the opportunity arose for me to listen to the audio of Stardust, I jumped at the chance.
I actually went into this not even knowing what Stardust was about. Gaiman says in the Introduction that this story was born out of his desire to write a fairy tale for adults. I was instantly hooked. A fairy tale for adults? HELLS YEAH! I’ll admit, though, that my heart sank a little when I found out the Gaiman was the performer for this audiobook. The author? What the hell?! I’ve been to more author appearances than I can count, and honestly, I haven’t heard too many great author readings. The reading is stilted, emphasis is placed on the wrong words, and it always feels like they’re reading so I never get lost in the words. But Gaiman did an amazing job, making me eat my opinion about authors reading their own books in a very short period of time. It makes me wonder if he’s performed other novels of his, and if so, I want to get my hands on them!
Stardust is about Tristran Thorn who is in love with Victoria Forester. One night he tries to get a kiss from her and they see a falling star. She tells him that he can have anything he wants if he retrieves that very star for her. So off he goes to find the star so that he can present it to Victoria. He finds the star quite easily, which turns out to be a girl who, due to falling from the sky, has broken her leg. Tristran captures her and takes her on the journey back to his village. Along the way they encounter a unicorn, witches, elves (I think?), slaves that have been turned into animals, and an assortment of odd characters.
Since this was a fairy tale for adults, there was some swearing and sex. Which I actually really enjoyed. It wasn’t over the top. It was a nice juxtaposition of the quaint fairy tale with modern words sprinkled in. Gaiman is still able to keep the traditional feel of fairy tales with the way he writes, while still nodding to the fact that this book is for adults who still love fairy tales.
The writing was always so much fun, to the point that I would laugh out loud at the way Gaiman turned a phrase. At one point I got out of the car and was just grinning because I was so happy to be immersed in this book. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t listening to it at that very second (I mostly only listen to books in the car). I felt like a teenager whose crush just asked her out on a date. I was smiling LIKE A FOOL. And when I was away from the book, I was thinking about it. I was positively giddy to get back in my car and start the story again.
I’m sure the book is great, but I highly recommend the audiobook. Do yourself a favor and get Stardust for yourself for Christmas. I will be listening to this book again. And again.
Five out of five stars! I want to throw stars at this book it was so good. This guy can tell a story.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:45 am
I read this book about a year ago, and loved it, but I haven’t heard the audio, and enough time has elapsed that I forgot the pertinent details of the story, so your idea of checking out the audiobook sounds enticing. Did you know they made a movie of this one? It wasn’t as good as the book, but it was pretty interesting and had a fun cast. Great review today, Trish!!
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December 17th, 2012 at 10:56 am
I really loved this book, too. It was my first (and only, so far) exposure to Gaiman, also. I quite enjoyed the movie; it was different, but still fun.
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December 17th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Everyone seems to sing the praises of Gaiman and I still haven’t read any of his work! I need to get with it!
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December 17th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
I haven’t read this book , but love the movie. If you get a chance see the movie
. Yes I admit I haven’t read his at all, bad book blogger. Its truly is a great fairy tale .
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December 17th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
I saw the movie and enjoyed it. Will check out the book. Just bought, The Boy in the Suitcase. Looking forward to Christmas break and read it.
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December 17th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
I saw the movie a long time ago. I bet his narration was wonderful!
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December 17th, 2012 at 11:46 pm
Neil Gaiman is one of the few authors that I enjoy listening to as a narrator. Try The Graveyard Book, he also reads that one, it was wonderful. I haven’t read Stardust yet but when I do I’ll go with the audio.
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December 18th, 2012 at 8:59 am
I enjoyed the film, but I had no idea it was based on a book.
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December 18th, 2012 at 9:11 am
I would listen to Neil Gaiman read the phone book. He’s read a LOT of his books. And they are all fantastic. So glad you enjoyed this one! Now I’m kinda itching to reread it.
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December 18th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Isn’t it wonderful! This was one of the first Gaiman books I read and I really should re-read it this year. I love his narration in all of his books too. He is one of the few authors who does it really well.
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December 18th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
I’ve never read any Neil Gaiman either. And I even follow the guy on Twitter – go figure! I put Stardust on my TBR list. Thanks for the great review!
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December 21st, 2012 at 3:32 pm
Gaiman is basically what got me into audiobooks – he’s just so good at reading them. His Neverwhere is amazing.
I got the Stardust graphic novel as a gift years ago and loved it. I should try the audiobook.
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December 21st, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Oh, I’m so glad you liked this! I love Neil Gaiman. You should check out his audio of The Graveyard Book. I agree with you completely about authors often being horrible readers of their own stuff. I have heard recordings of T. S. Eliot, E. E. Cummings, and Langston Hughes reading their poetry, and I was so disappointed. Neil Gaiman is an excellent reader, however. Love to hear him talk!
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December 23rd, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Gaiman has a wonderful voice. I’ve listened to him on a podcast before. Glad you enjoyed this and although audio books are not my thing, this on i would try. Read it several years ago.
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December 25th, 2012 at 4:38 am
Stopping by to say Merry Christmas
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December 27th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I haven’t read any of Neil Gaiman’s books either. He must be very talented to be able to be the voice of his audiobook. Not many authors can pull it off.
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