Stardust
by Neil Gaiman
- First published 1995
- 241 pages
- English
In the quiet English village of Wall, a stone wall separates the ordinary world from the magical realm of Faerie. Young Tristran Thorn, driven by a desire to win the affection of the beautiful Victoria Forester, makes a bold promise: he will cross the forbidden wall and retrieve a star that they have just seen fall from the sky. His journey takes him into a land of myth and enchantment, a place far more wondrous and perilous than he could have ever imagined, where even the simplest quest is fraught with unknown dangers.
Once in Faerie, Tristran discovers the fallen star is not a piece of rock, but something entirely unexpected. He is not the only one seeking this celestial prize; there are others, powerful and ruthless, who hunt the star for their own purposes. What begins as a simple, romantic gesture evolves into a dangerous adventure that will challenge Tristran's understanding of the world, the nature of love, and the true meaning of his own heart's desire. This is a story that explores what happens when the world of magic collides with the ambitions of mortals and the destinies of stars.
Once in Faerie, Tristran discovers the fallen star is not a piece of rock, but something entirely unexpected. He is not the only one seeking this celestial prize; there are others, powerful and ruthless, who hunt the star for their own purposes. What begins as a simple, romantic gesture evolves into a dangerous adventure that will challenge Tristran's understanding of the world, the nature of love, and the true meaning of his own heart's desire. This is a story that explores what happens when the world of magic collides with the ambitions of mortals and the destinies of stars.
What readers say
4.09
490K ratings across the web 8 in 10 readers loved it
Many reviewers celebrate the author's exceptional talent for storytelling, often likening him to a magician who conjures rich, imaginative worlds. His prose is frequently praised for its simplicity, modernity, and accessibility, yet also described as clear, pretty, and beautiful, evoking a sense of wonder. The book is lauded for its distilled imagination, escapism, creativity, and novelty, offering a charming and whimsical take on the adult fairy tale genre. Readers appreciated the blend of humor and seriousness, realism and fantasy, finding the narrative captivating and moving at a surprisingly fast pace with vivid descriptions. For some, the experience was further enhanced by listening to the author's own narration in the audiobook or by reading the illustrated edition.
However, the book draws considerable criticism, particularly regarding its inclusion of graphic sex, violence, and gore, which many reviewers found jarring and out of place within an otherwise fairy-tale-like narrative. This adult content often led to disappointment for readers expecting a lighter tone, especially those who compared it to classic children's fantasies. The plot itself was sometimes described as conventional, cliché, shallow, or predictable, relying on familiar fantasy tropes. Character development is a frequent point of contention, with the protagonist often labeled as unsympathetic, self-obsessed, or even problematic due to his actions and perceived misogynistic tendencies. Some reviewers also felt that interesting side plots or characters were underdeveloped, and the world-building lacked the depth expected from the author. The ending, in particular, was criticized by many for being flat, predictable, or less than satisfying. A few reviewers explicitly disliked the author's writing style, finding it confusing or not to their taste, and some noted the inclusion of offensive language like racial slurs.
Overall, the book elicits a decidedly mixed response, often garnering a "good" but not "great" rating from those who enjoyed it with reservations. While acknowledging the author's imaginative prowess, many found this particular work to be uneven. It is consistently presented as an "adult fairy tale" due to its mature themes and content, making it distinct from traditional children's stories. Readers who would likely enjoy this book are those seeking a whimsical and adventurous journey into a magical realm, who appreciate evocative prose, and are open to a darker, more mature interpretation of fairy tale elements. It may also appeal to fans of the author who are prepared for a different tone compared to some of his other works. Conversely, readers looking for a lighthearted fantasy, deep character exploration, or a strictly innocent fairy tale, or those sensitive to graphic content and problematic character portrayals, might find themselves disappointed, especially if they have seen the more cheerful movie adaptation first.
However, the book draws considerable criticism, particularly regarding its inclusion of graphic sex, violence, and gore, which many reviewers found jarring and out of place within an otherwise fairy-tale-like narrative. This adult content often led to disappointment for readers expecting a lighter tone, especially those who compared it to classic children's fantasies. The plot itself was sometimes described as conventional, cliché, shallow, or predictable, relying on familiar fantasy tropes. Character development is a frequent point of contention, with the protagonist often labeled as unsympathetic, self-obsessed, or even problematic due to his actions and perceived misogynistic tendencies. Some reviewers also felt that interesting side plots or characters were underdeveloped, and the world-building lacked the depth expected from the author. The ending, in particular, was criticized by many for being flat, predictable, or less than satisfying. A few reviewers explicitly disliked the author's writing style, finding it confusing or not to their taste, and some noted the inclusion of offensive language like racial slurs.
Overall, the book elicits a decidedly mixed response, often garnering a "good" but not "great" rating from those who enjoyed it with reservations. While acknowledging the author's imaginative prowess, many found this particular work to be uneven. It is consistently presented as an "adult fairy tale" due to its mature themes and content, making it distinct from traditional children's stories. Readers who would likely enjoy this book are those seeking a whimsical and adventurous journey into a magical realm, who appreciate evocative prose, and are open to a darker, more mature interpretation of fairy tale elements. It may also appeal to fans of the author who are prepared for a different tone compared to some of his other works. Conversely, readers looking for a lighthearted fantasy, deep character exploration, or a strictly innocent fairy tale, or those sensitive to graphic content and problematic character portrayals, might find themselves disappointed, especially if they have seen the more cheerful movie adaptation first.
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Details & editions
- This edition
- Headline Book Publishing, 2021
- ISBN
- 9780755322824
- Language
- English
Original edition La Doctora Cole Originally published in 1995 · Spanish · EDB FICCION
