Review for ‘Sleeper and the Spindle’ by Neil Gaiman

Name of the Book: Sleeper and the Spindle

Author: Neil Gaiman

Year of publication: 2013

Genre: Fairy tale, Fantasy Fiction, Short story

Literary period: Contemporary

Writing style: Simple language

Rating: 5🌟 (4 for the story 1 for illustrations)(or u can say its a tie between stoey as well as illustrations)

Page Count : 66

Illustrated by: Chriss Ruddel

Goodreads Blurb:

A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell – weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers spellbound from start to finish.On the eve of her wedding, a young queen sets out to rescue a princess from an enchantment. She casts aside her fine wedding clothes, takes her chain mail and her sword and follows her brave dwarf retainers into the tunnels under the mountain towards the sleeping kingdom. This queen will decide her own future – and the princess who needs rescuing is not quite what she seems. Twisting together the familiar and the new, this perfectly delicious, captivating and darkly funny tale shows its creators at the peak of their talents.Lavishly produced, packed with glorious Chris Riddell illustrations enhanced with metallic ink, this is a spectacular and magical gift.

My Review:

Firstly, let me tell me THIS BOOK IS REALLY REALLY BEAUTIFUL. INSIDE OUT.

Now, you should know this, that this book is unusually short. I bought this book because its beautiful and thought that its a full fledged novel. But, Alas! It wasnt ! It is a SHORT STORY. A really really short story.This story is about princesses, u wont find naive princess waiting for her prince in this story. Its all Girls. (Cheers for girl power).

This book also lacks in naming its characters. So, there are little or names in this story. It is obviously a retelling, which makes this book a must read. We see in it, a princess on her way to rescue another princess(maybe) and also to protect her town from the sleeping spell which is spreading from one town to another. At the beginning u would feel that its just another normal story, where princess will rescue the sleeping beauty and a happily ever after. If thats what u think, you are highly mistaken. Believe me, the twist that Neil Gaiman has put in this story is quite unique, not anything quite like sleeping beauty. And that twist was what made me stop midsentence and read again. I think all of those who hav read this book would agree at one thing, that the book is unusally short and one connect with the characters as they would have if this story was extended to atleast as a novella. And the touch of three little and fat dwarves add interest to the story. Amd ofcourse Author will give a lot of amazing imaginations through his beautiful descriptions.

So if you are one who loves retellings this book is for you.(Though its quite expensive for a short story book). Though not expensive for those who love to collect books. All in all i loved this book and the story, n it has added a beautiful touch to my shelf. So, yeah Go for it. This book also talks about Choices that one makes in thier life. And how a people themselves are responsible for the choices they make. And it’s you who who got to make choice for yourself not others.

About the Book and Cover:This book is available in hardcover. The dust jacket is transparent with prinying on it. While the cover of the book too is printed with illustrations. And thus when book and dust jacket are kept together, it creates a beaitiful look. And the illustrations in the book are quite pretty. So, if u r bool hoarder, u cannot miss to add this beauty on your shelves.

A treat for eyes