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Preludes & Nocturnes

Book 1 in the series:The Sandman

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'Preludes & Nocturnes' in the series 'The Sandman' by Neil Gaiman introduces readers to the story of Dream of the Endless, who is captured by men, escapes weakened after 70 years, and embarks on a journey to regain his powers. Throughout the narrative, readers also meet Dream's sister Death and are given glimpses into the rest of the family. The writing style is described as dark and the protagonist, Dream, is portrayed as a cruel yet sympathetic character. The illustrations are noted to be rich, sometimes gruesome but always effective, setting the groundwork for a series that promises to take off from this volume.

Characters:

Characters are richly developed and complex, with Dream and Death standing out as pivotal figures in exploring moral and emotional themes.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is complex and poetic, weaving philosophical themes with a surreal narrative that combines horror and fantasy.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Dream's captivity and subsequent quest to regain his lost powers, exploring themes of human emotion and mythology.

Setting:

The setting is a mix of the dream realm and the waking world, portrayed through dark and gothic imagery, with interlacing elements of the DC Universe.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow and disjointed but improves significantly as the story progresses, particularly in the final segments.

Notes:

Preludes and Nocturnes is the first volume of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series.
The main character, Dream, is the personification of dreams and is also an Endless being.
Dream is initially captured by a group of occultists trying to summon Death but ends up trapped for 70 years.
His imprisonment causes a sleep sickness among mortals, leading to chaos in the waking world.
The story follows Dream's attempt to recover his stolen symbols of power: a pouch of sand, a ruby, and a helm.
Dream's character displays indifference towards mortal concerns, illustrating his otherworldly nature.
The volume features key characters like John Constantine, Lucifer, and elements of the DC Comics universe.
The art in the series is noted for its dark and surreal quality, complementing the story's themes.
One of the most disturbing chapters, '24 Hours', showcases the horrors that occur in Dream's absence.
The final act, 'The Sound of Her Wings', introduces Death, who contrasts Dream with her cheerful demeanor, adding depth to the storyline.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Trigger warnings include depictions of violence, death, mental illness, and other disturbing imagery throughout the graphic novel.

From The Publisher:

One of the most popular and critically acclaimed graphic novels of all time, Neil Gaiman's award-winning masterpiece The Sandman set the standard for mature, lyrical fantasy in the modern comics era. Illustrated by an exemplary selection of the medium's most gifted artists, the series is a rich blend of modern and ancient mythology in which contemporary fiction, historical drama, and legend are seamlessly interwoven.

Ratings (87)

Incredible (25)
Loved It (36)
Liked It (19)
It Was OK (6)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (178):

Read It (92)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (48)
Not Interested (36)

3 comment(s)

Incredible
3 months

Mandatory reading for any comic book fan.

 
It Was OK
3 months

Bueno, mas cruel de lo que lo imaginaba. Es una buena introduccion al mundo Sandman, aunque aun esta calentando motores.

Aun siguen sin gustarme las portadas, ya se que son arte y tal, pero a mi personalmente me disgusta que sean tan inconsistentes con el resto del estilo.

 
It Was OK
8 months

Slow and interesting. The exposition of the side characters felt like a firehose of unimportant information. I like the character of Dream, he feels very grand like an immortal force should.

 

About the Author:

Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Medal-winning The Graveyard Book and Coraline, the basis for the hit movie. His other books include Anansi Boys, Neverwhere, American Gods, and Stardust, (winner of the American Library Association's Alex Award as one of 2000's top novels…

 
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