Stardust
by Neil Gaiman
1999, 248 pp.
Rating: 4/5
I was excited to read this after absolutely loving Coraline earlier this year. I also wanted to read it before the movie comes out in August. I did like the book quite a bit, but I didn’t love it, and I wanted to love it. I’m not sure what happened–maybe I just expected too much.
Tristan lives in a village where there is a hole in the wall. It’s guarded by the villagers because it leads into a fairy land. No one is allowed through. Once every 9 years, however, there is a festival where the fairy people and villagers do mingle.
Tristan is in love with the prettiest girl in the village, and wants to prove his love for her by getting her a star that they both see fall in the night sky. However, it has fallen in fairy land. His adventures in trying to obtain the star are magical, to say the least. We meet some very interesting characters from fairy land as well. Does he get the star and/or the girl? Read the book or see the movie to find out. Caution: Parents should read the book first as it’s not for children. I wouldn’t recommend it for under 16. These sections were few and far between, though.
Claire Danes plays one of the leads in the movie, and I knew this going into the book. She was TOTALLY right for this part. I could just imagine her saying her lines from the book.
I’ll probably see the movie in the first night or two. Can’t wait!
1. kookiejar – July 20, 2007[Edit]
I’ll see it in the first couple of days of its release as well. I must read it first though.
2. Stephanie – July 21, 2007[Edit]
I’m sorry you didn’t love it! I really did. I thought it was just a magical, beautiful little story!
I’ll definitely see the movie!!
3. Debi – July 21, 2007[Edit]
I, too, loved Coraline. The only Gaiman I’ve read to this point. I can’t count how many times I’ve picked up Stardust at the bookstore, only to set it back down. I have bought M is for Magic and American Gods, neither of which I’ve had a chance to read yet. I know sooner or later I won’t be able to resist Stardust any longer.
4. Nabeel – July 22, 2007[Edit]
hmm, I hope it’s good. Lately, Robert Deniro has been doing movies that have failed.
Such a fantastic book. Extremely charming, just like everything else Gaiman has written. I got lucky, and got a sneak preview of the movie last night. I wrote up a review that should give you a good idea what to expect.
In short, it’s absolutely brilliant.
I agree that Claire Danes is just perfect for the part
I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t getting any new posts from you on Google Reader. I forgot to change your address…DUH! :/
I haven’t read either Coraline or Stardust. I am hoping to get to them this fall though. I did read Neverwhere and am looking forward to American Gods soon.
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