He invites the reader to look at things differently and reconsider the traditional image of princesses and knights in shining armour.
After all, Gaiman is a proud follower of Angela Carter, fully aware of the fact that fairytales are a loaded gun, not only describing, but also shaping the world around us. The story itself is a mash-up of two fairytales we all know, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, but in spite of this the story feels far from familiar. The illustrations accompany, and even enrich, the story in a beautiful way. Tereza: What first captured me about The Sleeper and the Spindle, were, as expected, the beautiful illustrations by Chris Riddell – if I remember correctly, the most famous one (as seen above) is now hanging in the bedroom of Neil and his wife Amanda Palmer. As a piece to review, The Sleeper and the Spindle is quite problematic – how to review a book only few pages long, whose message cannot be analysed without revealing a substantial part of the story? So instead of a classic review, the editorial board of Re:Views decided to share the views of three of its members about the book itself.
Because some of them are also in our editorial board, the candidate for the spring Re:Views issue suggested itself. A spectacular book that deserves a spot on every bookcase.At the end of 2014, Neil Gaiman published a new book, called The Sleeper and the Spindle, and many Gaiman fans rejoiced. Even the production of the book is exquisite, with its stunning cover and black and white print highlighted with flashes of gold. Chris Riddell's illustrations are simply incredible, dark, luscious and filled with intricate detail that match the tone of the words exactly. His female protagonists are powerful and in charge of their destiny, a far cry from the usual female role in a fairy tale.Įvery page is filled with magic and menace as the story winds towards its climax. Neil Gaiman weaves a tale in which 'happy ever after' is not the end, and beauty and youth should not be trusted as a sign of innocence and goodness.
This magnificent book combines two well-known fairy tales and challenges everything familiar about them. But things in this far away kingdom are not as they seem, and rescuing the princess may not result in a happy ever after. Postponing the wedding and swapping her sumptuous gown for chainmail armour she sets off with the dwarves to locate the sleeping princess whose curse is engulfing the land. When three dwarves inform her of a sleeping sickness that is travelling over the mountains causing everything in its path to fall into a deep, deep slumber, the queen knows she must act to save her people. In a magical land far away, a beautiful young queen prepares for her wedding, wondering if these will be the last few days she has control of her life and unsure if she really wants to get married.
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