The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

The Sleeper and the Spindle - Neil Gaiman, Chris Riddell

I've been a fan of Neil Gaiman for quite a long time now. I've been a fan of his ever since I read Coraline a few years ago. I love his way of story-telling, his writing is among the most beautiful prose I have ever read, and his characters are always so memorable. I am slowly going through all of his works and I hope to complete reading all of his works within this next coming year.

 

That being said, I decided to get a bit of a head start and I read one of his latest works. I saw this book at the library and I just could not leave it there. I brought it home with me in a heartbeat. And I am SO GLAD I did.

 

This book is so clever. It takes two very well known fairy tales and twists it in a way you're not expecting. I love what Gaiman did here. I love how empowering it feels. I love how his message is saying that women, too, can be heroes and can make a life for themselves. And I love that his story is saying that just because someone tells you something and tries to pass it off as fact, does not necessarily make it to be so.

 

Chris Riddell's art is a great addition to Gaiman's story. I am quite pleased with his design for "Sleeping Beauty." She is supposed to be this beautiful maiden, with golden hair and eyes the color of the sky, yet he chose to give her one slight imperfection: a gap between her teeth. It shows you that beauty is more than our typical sense of the word. It's bloody brilliant!

 

Everything about this book is amazing! If you haven't read anything by Gaiman before, please do. So much of his works is just incredible and I feel you must experience them for yourselves. If you're already a fan of his, then read this one. You will not be disappointed. Also, if you just love fairy tales in general, then this is definitely one you should pick up!