“I grew up loving and respecting short stories. They seemed to me to be the purest and most perfect things people could make: not a word wasted in the best of them. An author would wave her hand and suddenly there was a world, and people in it, and ideas. A beginning and a middle and an end that would take you across the universe and bring you back.” (Neil Gaiman, in his Introduction to Trigger Warning)
Nobody writes like Neil Gaiman.
A bold statement, and one that could be written with conviction about any beloved author.
Because the statement encapsulates a two-fold truism: each author has their own way of crafting the stories that occupy their head and heart, and each reader has their own personal encounter with the stories that captivate their imagination.
We all have our favorite authors, those whose skill–for any author whose work inspires high esteem could be said to possess some skill–and creativity combine to make their stories into the ones we cherish and hold closest to our hearts. Their ability to capture our affections could almost be described as magical for all the success we would have in defining just what combination of ingredients make their stories so potent.
Neil Gaiman is one of those authors, for me. I was hooked with Sandman and its many allusions to great works of literature, to mythology, and to the history of comics. But it was the novel Neverwhere that convinced me that Neil Gaiman had the uncanny ability to pluck story threads from the canvas of my daydreams. He was the first author I had ever encountered that gave me a feeling that a story had been written just for me.
He continues to do that to this day.
Perhaps you begin to see why I wrote that this is ostensibly a review of Neil Gaiman’s newest short story collection, Trigger Warning.
Trigger Warning contains a double dozen* of Neil Gaiman’s short stories and poems, published between 2004 and 2015. It is his third collection and to my mind one of his most even collections. But that is entirely a matter of personal taste, as you will see.
The title of his new collection has not been without controversy, given the weight that the phrase “trigger warning” has for those who have experienced traumatic life events, though Gaiman does make an effort in his Introduction to explain that the title was inspired by the way the phrase has moved beyond that to the idea of putting warning labels on works of literature, art and film. He writes:
“There are things that upset us. That’s not quite what we’re talking about here, though. I’m thinking about those images or words or ideas that drop like trapdoors beneath us, throwing us out of our safe, sane world into a place much more dark and less welcoming. Our hearts skip a ratatat drumbeat in our chests, and we fight for breath. Blood retreats from our faces and our fingers, leaving us pale and gasping and shocked.
And what we learn about ourselves in those moments, where the trigger has been squeezed, is this: the past is not dead. There are things that wait for us, patiently, in the dark corridors of our lives. We think we have moved on, put them out of mind, left them to desiccate and shrivel and blow away; but we are wrong. They have been waiting there in the darkness, working out, practicing their most vicious blows, their sharp hard thoughtless punches into the gut, killing time until we came back that way.”
I like a good dark story, but the way in which we define “dark” is so entirely subjective to our own experiences and brings with it our own individual tolerance levels. Trigger Warning is given the tagline: Short Fictions and Disturbances, a description that initially gave me pause. In each of his previous collections, Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things, Neil Gaiman has included stories that are disturbing to me because of their sexual abuse/violence. Stories that could easily come with a “warning: for mature audiences only” label. They are stories that I do not like. They are well written, but their subject matter and purpose are a stark contrast to the fairy tales and whimsical stories and even the darker tales and poems in each collection. They are not for me.
I was afraid this collection would lean more heavily in that direction. In my opinion, it did not.
That isn’t to say that the stories in Trigger Warning are devoid of violence and terror and characters meeting less than happy ends. You cannot cook up stories of vengeance and regret and the monsters that lurk in the shadows without breaking a few eggs. For my personal experience, Trigger Warning includes the kind of dark and disturbing stories that I tend to describe as “delicious”. They tickle the spine, they give a little fright…they seem somewhat innocuous, perhaps not that dark at all, until you take a second look, and then, brrrrr…here come the chills.
But not every story in the collection is this way. There is a loving tribute to Ray Bradbury (The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury) that also takes a look at memory loss and the importance of remembering stories. There is a clever Sherlock Holmes story (The Case of Death and Honey) that looks at what happens when there are no more mysteries left to excite the imagination of the world’s greatest consulting detective…except the mystery of death. There is a tale about an imaginary girlfriend (The Truth About Cassandra) that goes in a very unexpected, surprising direction.
And Weep, Like Alexander will rouse a cheer from those who find some of the latest technology downright annoying, despite its convenience.
Trigger Warning features Neil Gaiman’s wonderful Twitter/BlackBerry project, A Calendar of Tales. The collection ends with an original story featuring the character Shadow, from the novel American Gods and the sequel novella, Monarch of the Glen.
While none of the poems in this collection impacted me the way previous poems like “Instructions” or The Day the Saucers Came, I still enjoyed reading them.
Neil Gaiman’s passion for and mastery of short fiction is on display here throughout. The quote from his Introduction that started this review encapsulates beautifully the way I feel about short fiction. I do not take for granted the talent and dedication it takes to create the kind of fully realized world that readers, myself included, get lost in when we read a novel. But I always find it somewhat miraculous what can be done in and with a good short story. I am internally, and sometimes externally, standing in awe, mouth wide open, at the sheer creativity of it all.
As readers of Neil Gaiman’s short fiction collections have come to expect, his Introduction is filled with non-spoiler background information for each story. Trigger Warnings is a special treat because so many of these stories were influenced by/written in homage to authors who have had an impact on Neil Gaiman. It is the kind of Introduction that leaves you with a big To Be Read pile. It also contains a hidden gem*.
Trigger Warnings is a collection worthy of your book buying dollar and your immediate attention. Before I had even finished the collection I went and ordered the audio version. Neil Gaiman is a consummate storyteller, and this is nowhere more apparent than in his audio narration of his own work. The experience of listening to Neil read his short fiction has always broadened my appreciation of stories I already liked when reading them myself and has often opened my eyes to something engaging in those I had not made a connection to.
My Rating 9/10. Well worth the wait since the 2006 release of Fragile Things.
I understand that Neil Gaiman does not have this effect on everyone, and that fact leaves me curious about the authors who speak to you the way that Neil Gaiman speaks to me, particularly when it comes to short fiction.
Well now, I will be downloading this one from Audible today after this review. I knew I was saving my credits for a reason!
I can’t wait to listen to it on audio. I ordered the CD’s so I could loan it around.
I’ve only read the first 28% of it so far and I’m enjoying it as much Neil’s previous collections. It will be hard for him to beat Smoke and Mirrors in my book but I know I will find a few gems in Trigger Warning I’m sure.
I know this sounds cliche but Neil’s writing seems almost magical to me. He just doesn’t waste words either. They are all their for a reason. It may take me several readings to some times see how they all fit but make no mistake he doesn’t include fluff. I can’t place my finger on it but there is no one I can compare him too. He scratch’s a reading itch for me that no one else can. He’s my top 5 for sure. When it comes down to it I reread his works more than anyone else.
On top of all his writing skill he is an incredible audio book narrator. He has this way of drawing you in and making you BELIEVE. I had the pleasure of meeting once and he is incredible with the time and love he shows his fans while at the same time coming off so down to earth.
My favorite novel of his is Stardust. Magical. My favorite short story is the “The Price” although who knows I may find a new champion in Trigger Warning. Other stories I love are “The Wolves in the Walls” and “Unfortunately, the Milk”. I also can’t recommend the Sandman series enough. There is just SO much to that series. It bears re-reading. Last year’s “The Ocean at the End of Lane” and “American Gods” are also great mature reader novels. They really stick with you and make you think.
Any day we can talk about Neil is a great Carl. Thanks for the post. I know I’m going to want to read some Bradbury after finishing Trigger Warning and I can’t wait as it’s been way too long since I’ve read Bradbury. I used to love reading his stories as a young adult and as an adult I got away from reading him which is sad on my part. I also wonder if he speak to me the same way now as he did as a young man. I saw you review The Martian Chronicles recently and that is one of his I haven’t read. Perhaps that is where I will wander to after I finish Trigger Warning.
Of course I’m dying to get back to my Flash Gordon Alex Raymond collection and my Hal Foster Prince Valiant collections. Choices, choices,… 🙂
This is so great, thanks Jeff. Nice to see a long comment on one of our favorite authors.
I agree, “The Price” is one of THE BEST. It may be my top as well. I remember years ago sitting down over a work lunch in my office and reading it aloud to two of my co-workers. They loved it.
I’m with you on the ‘no wasted words’ statement. And his skill with using them is hard to describe and hard to equal. I read “The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury” aloud to Mary and I had read it myself and her first comment had to do with how great he is at the way he describes things, the way he uses words. Have to admit, that story choked me up a bit.
As far as favorite Gaiman novels go, I firmly believe that had I read Stardust first, it would have been my favorite. I think part of my connection to Neverwhere is that I read it right when it came out and it just blew me away. As did Stardust, and American Gods and The Graveyard Book. Stardust is certainly the one I’ve re-read (and re-listened to) the most.
I’m wanting to get back to some more Bradbury too. I plan on reading Fahrenheit 451 for that 1950’s challenge (I’m a couple of books away from getting to it), but I also want to read The Illustrated Man since I was told it has a short story structure similar to The Martian Chronicles.
Hard to believe that in September this year it will be a decade since we made that trek to Chicago to see Neil Gaiman. That was such a fun trip.
WOW. This September will make TEN years since our Gaiman Chicago road trip. I can’t believe it. I wish I could afford to make another trip to somewhere new sometime soon but I’m too strapped. Atleast we have Worldcon coming to KC in 2016. I can’t wait for it plus we have SFAL4 and Planet Comicon this year.
I have a copy of The Illustrated Man I haven’t read yet either. Let me know when you crack yours open and maybe I can read mine then as well too. I would love to reread F451 plus I would love to reread Dune sometime as well.
Too many classics and too many modern books on the TBR pile vs. too little time. 🙂 My quest this year is to read at least 80% of books I already own this year. Less adding to the TBR pile is the goal. We will see how that goes. 🙂
Yes, it would be cool to travel to some shows we haven’t hit, and we will some day, but for now we have some great stuff coming to KC over the next couple of years.
I’m trying to crack into more books that I own as well, which means that I may be reading more classics than usual, what with having tons of them and with the 50’s challenge and desire to read more Whelan covered books.
It is crazy that it will be 10 years. We need to road trip like that again one day.
28% you do the math? Why not page count? Oh, I suppose the ebook doesn’t have page numbers. *** SIGH ***
Jeff and I were just talking about this the other day, how our whole concept of reading is shifting because of ebooks. I’m finding a large majority actually do have a page count, but it always shows you percentages and between ebooks and tracking reading progress on sites like Goodreads, it is becoming the norm to think of books in terms of percentages read. I don’t even blink anymore when I see it because, even as little as I read ebooks in comparison to print versions, it has become a habit.
Carl, I’m afraid I’m one of those who just don’t see the magic of Gaiman’s writing. The short stories of Bradbury, Arthur C Clarke, Asimov, Eric Frank Russell, Poul Anderson, Kage Baker and others pull me right in, but Gaiman, for some reason, doesn’t.
I admit I have only read some, not all by any means of his stuff, but when I’m not enjoying, I have to stop at some point.
We all have our own tastes, Richard. I imagine we all feel a little sad when someone else doesn’t connect with a book, author, story like we do, but I’m convinced we wouldn’t have many good conversations in our lives if we all felt exactly the same about everything.
Given your interest in Bradbury, you should check out “The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury”. I imagine you would get all the references to Bradbury stories in it.
http://io9.com/5918839/must-read-neil-gaimans-tribute-to-ray-bradbury
What a great review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I love Neil Gaiman but haven’t read all of his works – and, some can be a bit too much reality for me. I read Smoke and Mirrors and enjoyed some of the stories but not all – which is a surprise considering I like The Sandman which is incredibly graphic!! I still haven’t read American Gods and don’t know why other than I almost think it won’t be my favourite, which is totally ridiculous considering I also didn’t want to read The Graveyard Book (which I think I picked up courtesy of your good self and loved!). I need to get over my fear!! I’ve put him on a pedestal and love his more fae/whimsical tales which for me, like you said, feel almost personal. I will definitely pick this up now I’ve read your review even though short stories are not my favourite.
Thanks again Carl.
Lynn 😀
American Gods has a few elements that push the envelope for me, like the stories you are most likely referring to in Smoke and Mirrors, but the main character is great and the greater portion of the story is a fantastic read. It also has some similar elements to Sandman with its layering in of mythology and folklore. It really is worth reading.
I will definitely read American Gods – and I must admit you make me feel more keen to pick it up!
Ta
Lynn 😀
Just remember my disclaimer about the envelope. 🙂
Will do 😀
I plan on reading TRIGGER WARNING this weekend. I’ve enjoyed Gaiman’s other short story collections. Gaiman wrote one of my favorite DOCTOR WHO episodes, “The Doctor’s Wife.”
His Doctor Who short story is in this collection, and I enjoyed it.
I’ll be interested in your reaction to the collection, George.
As we know, I am sort of on the fence about Gaiman. Sometimes I love him… Other times, not so much. But, I still buy his books and have read most of them. I think maybe I am always looking for that one book to wow me and show me what I have been missing. I am sure I will get this one at some point because I have enjoyed several of his short stories in the past.
I had forgotten that until you mentioned it, Kailana, but I do remember that. Hopefully when you get to this one you’ll find some that you enjoy.
Did you see my question about reading the Kate Elliot book for Once Upon a Time?
No! Sorry! I was actually just about to email you about a book, that’s why I am here! I will go find that comment and then email you. 🙂
lol as soon as I see the name Gaiman on a book I KNOW that you will be reading it!
wow! you and Jeff are hitting the tbr and classic piles eh? I wish you both success! I need to get that sort of energy towards some of my “reality” books which I seem to have deserted for mysteries of late!
oh! and had to smirk when I read you wanted to read more books with Whelan covers! lol… gunna read some Pern books? he did quite a few covers! Not just the first 3! lol
I’m not sure what I’ll be reading for my Whelan covers, there are A LOT that I already own to choose from. Gonna be fun, though.
Yes, no chance I would have passed up reading a new Gaiman collection right away.
I have read Gaiman’s other short story collections. And, as you said, there were a few stories that focused on abuse that didn’t speak to me like his other work. I was concerned his latest collection would lean more heavily towards those type of stories. I am so glad I read your review and that you have found the book worthy. I plan to add this book to my TBR pile.
I’m happy it ended up not being as “disturbing” as advertised. Hope you enjoy it too.
Neverwhere is definitely my favorite Gaiman, although it’s been so long that it might change if I gave his bibliography another go. I zoom through novels, but I’m probably the slowest short story reader in the world, so I don’t know if I’ll ever get around to this, but I’m happy to hear that the stories in this one are dark and, as you say, “delicious.” I prefer the more adult Gaiman, and his more recent stuff has felt watered down to me. Great ostensible review!
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the review. There is indeed some great stuff here. I go through periods where I just crave short stories, and then I tend to step away from them for a spell. I’m in one of those craving moods right now.
I’m actually set to read my first Neil Gaiman book soon, Neverwhere, soon. Have heard such good things about him the past few years.
Wonderful! I hope you enjoy it. And whether you do or not, I hope you pop back here and put up a link to your review as I’d love to check it out.
This looks wonderful, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it. Gaiman’s stories bridge the whimsical and the thoughtful, and I appreciate his perspective on the world. I recently read Anansi Boys with my book club (haven’t gotten around to writing a review yet) and absolutely loved it.
You’ll enjoy it, Grace. Happy to hear that you liked Anansi Boys. It is a little different than his other novels, but one I thoroughly enjoy. I read it when it first came out and have listened to the audio version several times. I’m kind of in the mood for it again, now that you mention it, and may need to pull the audio out for Once Upon a Time.
I can’t wait to read this one! Like you, I just don’t think anyone else writes quite like Gaiman.