I’m a lover of all things Neil Gaiman, as I’m sure you know by now. I absolutely love listening to the audiobooks that he narrates, and his collection of selected nonfiction is no exception!
Summary
An inquisitive observer, thoughtful commentator, and assiduous craftsman, Neil Gaiman has long been celebrated for the sharp intellect and startling imagination that informs his bestselling fiction. Now, The View from the Cheap Seats brings together for the first time ever more than sixty pieces of his outstanding nonfiction. Analytical yet playful, erudite yet accessible, this cornucopia explores a broad range of interests and topics, including (but not limited to): authors past and present; music; storytelling; comics; bookshops; travel; fairy tales; America; inspiration; libraries; ghosts; and the title piece, at turns touching and self-deprecating, which recounts the author’s experiences at the 2010 Academy Awards in Hollywood.
My Thoughts
5/5 stars
I have to give this 5 stars because how can you rate someone’s personal experiences? I loved listening to this book, so it gets 5 stars!
Beyond the narration, which I knew before even starting that I would enjoy, the content was both entertaining and educational.
Or maybe educational isn’t the right word, but because of this book I now have many more authors I am interested in, and more music, comics, movies, and stories I would like to explore.
I admire how Gaiman was able to infuse his nonfiction pieces with the same style and wit that made me fall in love with his works of fiction. A few years ago I had signed up for a creative nonfiction writing class but it was cancelled due to low enrollment. Reading this collection of creative nonfiction reminds me that I’m still interested in the subject. I learned about a variety of subjects and was entertained the entire time.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of Neil Gaiman and those who wish to learn a bit about a lot of subjects. There are many seemingly great recommendations for various people and art forms in this book, so I’m sure you will gain something from giving this a read or a listen.
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