Maroon Weekly

By Sara Muessel

Every now and then a reviewer uses the words “every now and then” to start a review, which is usually followed by a glimmering review of a very artsy, but very bad book. With this book, though, it is completely appropriate. To say that every now and then a story collection comes along that will, in the end, change the way we read short stories is entirely appropriate. The last time this happened was, perhaps, King’s “Night Shift.” Before that, pick any Ray Bradbury collection.

But Gaiman’s collection is both and more put into one. “Smoke and Mirrors” is an absolute masterpiece and seems like it would satisfy almost any avid reader’s tastes. There is humor, social commentary, poetry of all kinds and even a few examples of remarkably tasteful erotica included in this timeless collection. The dark side of the reader is revealed in a reassuring and, at the same time, frightening way.

Reading Gaiman is not mere recreation, it is experience. It is not bogged down by “trying to make a point,” despite the points it does make on the reader. It is simply telling a story, and the reader takes it as he or she wishes. This, in the end, is the essence of writing, and Gaiman has mastered it perfectly.

The stories are diverse: humor and dark, poetry and prose, with some stories undoubtedly stronger than others.  However, no matter which story you read one thing remains constant, Gaiman’s superb ability in the art of storytelling.

In “Chivalry,” a woman finds the Holy Grail in a secondhand shop, and Galahad must trade something for it that will look just as good on her mantle.

Demons take over London in “Cold Colors,” because the devil has learned how to network and God can’t get “saintware” up and running.

“Snow, Glass, Apples” is not your grandmother’s Snow White, and Gaiman himself states that he hopes the reader will not read the original fairytale the same way ever again. He succeeds. This story is worth the price of the book alone.

Ever wonder how Christmas is in the Gaiman household? “Nicholas Was…” shows it is dark, haunting, and achingly beautiful. Possibly my favorite, despite its (sadly) short length.

“The Goldfish Pool and Other Stories” — the longest and one of the best stories hands down in this book. Neil takes the big hypodermic needle of writing and instead of sucking the life right out of what could have been a boring story, injects it with a subtle shadow and oodles of glitter. The intriguing world behind these pages is indeed smoke and mirrors, just a step or a word or a story away from our own.

Every now and then a story collection comes along that will, in the end, change literature. Here and now, that collection is “Smoke and Mirrors.” Neil Gaiman shows us just what can be done by a master illusionist who knows how to use the tools of his trade to perfection. Some people may tell you that illusions are only smoke and mirrors and not magic, but perhaps they’ve never come under the spell of a real wizard.