Bottom Shelf Reviews: Trigger Warning by Neil Gaiman

I am kind of ashamed that this  book has sat on my shelf long enough that it qualifies as a Bottom Shelf review. I bought it the day it came out with every intention of reading it immediately, yet somehow a year has passed and I’m just now getting it read. Even more sad, the last book I reviewed under this category was also a Neil Gaiman book that took me much longer than it should have to read.

Title: Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances
Author: Neil Gaiman
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Format: Hardcover
Rating 4 stars

In this new anthology, Neil Gaiman pierces the veil of reality to reveal the enigmatic, shadowy world that lies beneath. Trigger Warning includes previously published pieces of short fiction–stories, verse, and a very special Doctor Who story that was written for the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved series in 2013–as well “Black Dog,” a new tale that revisits the world of American Gods, exclusive to this collection. …

A sophisticated writer whose creative genius is unparalleled, Gaiman entrances with his literary alchemy, transporting us deep into the realm of imagination, where the fantastical becomes real and the everyday incandescent. Full of wonder and terror, surprises and amusements, Trigger Warning is a treasury of delights that engage the mind, stir the heart, and shake the soul from one of the most unique and popular literary artists of our day. (Goodreads)

I always struggle to review short story collections, since it’s multiple different stories instead of one cohesive narrative to critique, but I will do my best. I always enjoy Gaiman’s short story collections. As much as I love his novels, sometimes I think I almost enjoy his short stories more.

This collection had a wide variety of stories, most published before but it also included a brand new American Gods short story about what happens when Shadow heads to the UK after what happened in America.

This is a terrific collection of short stories, and I would say it may be my favorite except for the fact that it’s been a while since I read his first two collections, so I can’t be sure. However there were a lot of stories in this one that I loved – “Nothing O’clock” (a Doctor Who story), “Adventure Story,” “The Sleeper and the Spindle” (a Sleeping Beauty/Snow White mashup and retelling) and many others. I can’t really list them all here. I loved almost every story for one reason or another. Some where funny, some where dark, some creepy, and others charming. Gaiman has a wide range in his storytelling ability and it is wonderfully showcased in this collection.