Very good start to much acclaimed series (Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes - Neil Gaiman)

Member Name: captainraz

Product:	Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes - Neil Gaiman
Date:	23/08/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent engaging story, brilliant artwork

Disadvantages: Not for everyone; can be a little weird

Preludes and Nocturnes is the first of ten volumes in Neil Gaiman's much acclaimed Sandman series. It follows the personification of Dream as he is captured by mortals, escapes and searches for his personal artefacts that compliment his power.

Overall I found this book to be a very easy read. The story is engaging, and the artwork compliments it well. Though it is usually Neil Gaimen who gets all the acclaim as the writer, the artists must really be congratulated as well. The story is great, but without the excellent artwork it wouldn't be nearly as compelling.

The main character is The Sandman, or Dream, and throughout this book it becomes very clear that though he is called the master of dreams, he is also a master of nightmares. Several of the plot elements have a nightmarish quality to them, and explore darkness and madness and the less appealing sides of human nature. The section call 24 Hours is a particularly good example of (and is also my favourite chapter).

Preludes and Nocturnes is a very good book in it's own right and an excellent start to the saga. There's nothing truly mind-blowing in here (provided your mind isn't blown by demons and dreams and madness). but it is very good.

The major downside to this series, as with any graphic novel is the price. At around £14 per novel (and considering there are ten in the series) it is a very expensive read. But then, the price is fairly justifiable, given the amount of work that goes into producing them. My advice would be, if you're not sure that this series is for you (and it won't be for everyone, it is quite odd at times) rent the first few books from a library and see if you like them.

For myself, I really enjoyed this graphic novel, and I already have the second in the series in front of me just waiting for me to read it.

Summary: Worth getting from a library to check it out