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The Sandman
Sandman: The Dream Hunters
THE SANDMAN: THE DREAM HUNTERS is a comics adaptation of Gaiman's original prose novella by the same name illustrated by Yoshitako Amano. This graphic novel was illustrated by the legendary P. Craig Russell. A humble young monk and a magical, shape-changing fox find themselves romantically drawn together. As their love blooms, the fox learns of a devilish plot by a group of demons and a Japanese emperor to steal the monk's life. With the aid of Morpheus, the fox must use all of her cunning and creative thinking to foil this evil scheme and save the man that she loves.
126 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 469 reviews
September 1, 2018
Perfect, all I want now is a fox. It was such a cutie!
Loved the story, it was a bit unusually but still amazing. But I missed the Sandman a bit, wish he was more present.
Loved the story, it was a bit unusually but still amazing. But I missed the Sandman a bit, wish he was more present.
February 7, 2017
I read all the volumes of The Sandman and loved it but this is a spinoff work, published in 2009, a fable of a monk and a fox set in “old Japan,” that has the feel of something Gaiman adapted from a centuries old myth, but in fact was invented whole cloth all by his lonesome. And Japan is a good place for a story of this mythological complexity, because it is a country and culture steeped in mythologies and monsters, in a belief in yokai.
The Dream Hunters focuses on a monk and two spirit creatures in the form of a badger and a fox who want to oust the monk from his abode. They set up a bet that they both lose, but the fox also loses her heart to the monk in the bargain. The master of demons also wants to usurp the power of the monk, and the fox-spirit intervenes on the monk’s behalf, but Morpheus, the Dream Himself (from the Sandman) intervenes.
The Dream Hunters was first written by Gaiman as a novella, illustrated by Yoshitako Amano; it has blossomed into a wonderful graphic novel. The story is beautifully written, but it is more than matched by the amazing P. Craig Russell’s artwork, drawing on influences from Asian art (particularly woodblock prints) and European Art Noveau (particularly the work of Aphonse Mucha) to early Disney. The coloring by Lovern Kindzierski is also lovely, muted, with an ancient woodblock feel to it.
This is a stand-alone volume, doesn’t require you know the whole of The Sandman to appreciate its subtle beauties.
The Dream Hunters focuses on a monk and two spirit creatures in the form of a badger and a fox who want to oust the monk from his abode. They set up a bet that they both lose, but the fox also loses her heart to the monk in the bargain. The master of demons also wants to usurp the power of the monk, and the fox-spirit intervenes on the monk’s behalf, but Morpheus, the Dream Himself (from the Sandman) intervenes.
The Dream Hunters was first written by Gaiman as a novella, illustrated by Yoshitako Amano; it has blossomed into a wonderful graphic novel. The story is beautifully written, but it is more than matched by the amazing P. Craig Russell’s artwork, drawing on influences from Asian art (particularly woodblock prints) and European Art Noveau (particularly the work of Aphonse Mucha) to early Disney. The coloring by Lovern Kindzierski is also lovely, muted, with an ancient woodblock feel to it.
This is a stand-alone volume, doesn’t require you know the whole of The Sandman to appreciate its subtle beauties.
February 9, 2017
A quite enjoyable tale with a classic moral transcending the Oriental flavor, with cameos from a few of our favorite Sandman characters, including Dream, himself.
The art is, I believe, much better than most of the previous Sandman series, with clean lines and beautiful images, but that's also a taste of the thematic style, so obviously it was intentional on every level and not just an improvement on the series which is ostensibly ended... (but not quite, obviously.) :)
It was fun and light, with all the trappings of trickery, love, dreams, and revenge. A fairy tale with a moral? Sure! And it may deserve to be a classic and an ideal. :)
The art is, I believe, much better than most of the previous Sandman series, with clean lines and beautiful images, but that's also a taste of the thematic style, so obviously it was intentional on every level and not just an improvement on the series which is ostensibly ended... (but not quite, obviously.) :)
It was fun and light, with all the trappings of trickery, love, dreams, and revenge. A fairy tale with a moral? Sure! And it may deserve to be a classic and an ideal. :)
February 15, 2021
Another one of P. Craig Russell's adaptations of Gaiman's prose. I'm not sure why he's so obsessed with converting all of Gaiman's words to comics, but I'm glad he is. This was wonderful. Russell brings a different look to what was originally an illustrated novella. He gets how to adapt words into panels telling Gaiman's story visually when he can, removing a lot of the exposition that can really bog down a comic.
September 1, 2017
Neil Gaiman wrote a Japanese fable and apparently fooled a bunch of fans and academics, who all believed he had adapted an actual folk tale within his Sandman universe. Even his illustrator, the amazing P. Craig Russell thought this was just a really seamless absorption of a Japanese story into Morpheus' realm, but nope, it's 100% Gaiman. I read a lot of zen fairy tales when I began reading about Buddhism years ago, and while I am no expert, I can see why readers were fooled: the tone, rhythm and motif of the story within this lovely comic's pages are that strange and beautiful blend of whimsical and heartbreaking that are a trademark of many of Japanese folk tales.
A fox and a badger make a wager: if they can get a young, solitary monk to leave his tiny, remote temple, they will share his humble abode, as it is more comfortable than their dens. They try to fool the monk into leaving, but he sees through their deceptions. The badger eventually gives up, but the fox becomes unexpectedly attached to the young man, and when she hears demons whisper about a plan to kill him through his dreams, she undertakes a long journey to try to save the man she loves.
I cried reading this. It was a precious and tragic love story, illustrated in a style reminiscent of traditional Japanese water colors, but with Art Nouveau curves and stunning colors. Its a wonderful addition to the Sandman cannon, as well as a great little standalone story. Any fan of the series will enjoy this, as will anyone who enjoys Gaiman's work or who simply loves old folk tales... even if they are not 100% authentic...
A fox and a badger make a wager: if they can get a young, solitary monk to leave his tiny, remote temple, they will share his humble abode, as it is more comfortable than their dens. They try to fool the monk into leaving, but he sees through their deceptions. The badger eventually gives up, but the fox becomes unexpectedly attached to the young man, and when she hears demons whisper about a plan to kill him through his dreams, she undertakes a long journey to try to save the man she loves.
I cried reading this. It was a precious and tragic love story, illustrated in a style reminiscent of traditional Japanese water colors, but with Art Nouveau curves and stunning colors. Its a wonderful addition to the Sandman cannon, as well as a great little standalone story. Any fan of the series will enjoy this, as will anyone who enjoys Gaiman's work or who simply loves old folk tales... even if they are not 100% authentic...
August 28, 2018
P. Craig Russell is one of my favorite comic artists. He's known for his adaptions of classic plays and operas. He's also adapted a bunch of Neil Gaiman stories including Coraline. I'm not sure why Russell likes adapting Gaiman so much. I prefer his adaptions of older stories, but the setting of this story actually works really well for Russell's style.
Although technically a Sandman story, this can certainly be read without involving that lengthy series. It could be considered a story in that universe, and not an essential piece of it.
Apparently Russell himself believed Dream Hunters wasn't an original story but rather a Sandman re-writing of a classic Japanese parable. But, in reality this story was created purely from Gaiman's imagination. I feel like there is a strong connection to Aesop's parables and even Jim Henson's The Storyteller (but don't quote me on that one).
The true star of the book is Russell's gift of adaption. He does a fantastic job of converting sentences and paragraphs into comic panels. His incorporation of larger chunks of text avoids the usual issues associated with text in comics. The pages never feel bogged down, and the story's pace is kept even throughout.
Russell has a unique line, and I love his jagged edged look for angry and scary creatures. He does a fantastic job of showing emotion in the panels. My complaint with the art is the coloring. The color uses this faux-painted look that at worst ends up looking like a wall painted with Windows Paint gradient colors. It doesn't distract too much, and sometimes does look nice - I believe the attempt was to make the book look like it was created with old Japanese silk paintings. The colors are done by Russell's longtime collaborator Lovern Kindzierski who besides for that effect I dislike does a wonderful job as usual.
I've been reading a lot of of Mizuki's manga which deals with Japanese Folklore and Yokai. I think the ancient Japanese setting is a wonderful place to tell this story and for two Western creators they do a great job.
Although technically a Sandman story, this can certainly be read without involving that lengthy series. It could be considered a story in that universe, and not an essential piece of it.
Apparently Russell himself believed Dream Hunters wasn't an original story but rather a Sandman re-writing of a classic Japanese parable. But, in reality this story was created purely from Gaiman's imagination. I feel like there is a strong connection to Aesop's parables and even Jim Henson's The Storyteller (but don't quote me on that one).
The true star of the book is Russell's gift of adaption. He does a fantastic job of converting sentences and paragraphs into comic panels. His incorporation of larger chunks of text avoids the usual issues associated with text in comics. The pages never feel bogged down, and the story's pace is kept even throughout.
Russell has a unique line, and I love his jagged edged look for angry and scary creatures. He does a fantastic job of showing emotion in the panels. My complaint with the art is the coloring. The color uses this faux-painted look that at worst ends up looking like a wall painted with Windows Paint gradient colors. It doesn't distract too much, and sometimes does look nice - I believe the attempt was to make the book look like it was created with old Japanese silk paintings. The colors are done by Russell's longtime collaborator Lovern Kindzierski who besides for that effect I dislike does a wonderful job as usual.
I've been reading a lot of of Mizuki's manga which deals with Japanese Folklore and Yokai. I think the ancient Japanese setting is a wonderful place to tell this story and for two Western creators they do a great job.
November 6, 2020
I'll be honest; the story in this book does not rank amongst my favourite Gaiman tales... although, please understand me, 'bad' Gaiman is still better than most other writers. I don't know why, but it just didn't connect with me like most of Neil's work does.
The artwork, on the other hand... wow. P. Craig Russell's work is always great but in this book he doesn't just take it to the next level but a couple more levels after that. Wearing its dual inspirations of ancient Japanese art and art nouveau design and illustration affectionately on its sleeve, this book does nothing short of dazzle. Very impressive work, Mr. Russell.
The colour art is gorgeous too, although I am ashamed to say I've already forgotten the colourist's name. My memory is shockingly bad for names...
The artwork, on the other hand... wow. P. Craig Russell's work is always great but in this book he doesn't just take it to the next level but a couple more levels after that. Wearing its dual inspirations of ancient Japanese art and art nouveau design and illustration affectionately on its sleeve, this book does nothing short of dazzle. Very impressive work, Mr. Russell.
The colour art is gorgeous too, although I am ashamed to say I've already forgotten the colourist's name. My memory is shockingly bad for names...
June 24, 2021
Pare che, dopo aver letto la trama di Cacciatori di sogni, Russell avesse contattato Gaiman desideroso di offrirsi come disegnatore, affascinato da quella storia di cui già vedeva alla perfezione le tavole.
La storia era però destinata ad altro, a essere un racconto in prosa illustrato dal disegnatore giapponese, quindi non se ne fece di nulla.
Finchè, arrivati vicini al ventennale di Sandman, mentre lavoravano sull'adattamento a fumetto di Coraline, Russell torna alla carica. E questa volta ci riesce, ottenendo di disegnare il fumetto del racconto in prosa del decennale.
Un volume che avrebbe affiancato il primo, e che ne sarebbe stato complementare.
Dopo averli letti entrambi uno dopo l'altro devo dire però che messo a fianco dell'opera del decennale, questa impallidisce abbastanza.
Sarà che leggendoli si avverte bene quale fosse il formato pensato originariamente, sarà che l'artista nipponico riesce a rendere in maniera differente le atmosfere del racconto... mi dispiace ma per non c'è paragone, infinitamente meglio il volume in prosa illustrata.
Una chicca però la postfazione di Gaiman dove ammette di essersi inventato l'origine della storia nel decennale, e di essere rimasto sorpreso dalla mole di richieste ricevute anche da accademici che non riuscivano a trovare traccia del racconto originale giapponese. Lo stesso Russell aveva creduto ciecamente alla storia raccontata da Neil, e alla fine mi sono consolato di esserci cascato in pieno pure io.
La storia era però destinata ad altro, a essere un racconto in prosa illustrato dal disegnatore giapponese, quindi non se ne fece di nulla.
Finchè, arrivati vicini al ventennale di Sandman, mentre lavoravano sull'adattamento a fumetto di Coraline, Russell torna alla carica. E questa volta ci riesce, ottenendo di disegnare il fumetto del racconto in prosa del decennale.
Un volume che avrebbe affiancato il primo, e che ne sarebbe stato complementare.
Dopo averli letti entrambi uno dopo l'altro devo dire però che messo a fianco dell'opera del decennale, questa impallidisce abbastanza.
Sarà che leggendoli si avverte bene quale fosse il formato pensato originariamente, sarà che l'artista nipponico riesce a rendere in maniera differente le atmosfere del racconto... mi dispiace ma per non c'è paragone, infinitamente meglio il volume in prosa illustrata.
Una chicca però la postfazione di Gaiman dove ammette di essersi inventato l'origine della storia nel decennale, e di essere rimasto sorpreso dalla mole di richieste ricevute anche da accademici che non riuscivano a trovare traccia del racconto originale giapponese. Lo stesso Russell aveva creduto ciecamente alla storia raccontata da Neil, e alla fine mi sono consolato di esserci cascato in pieno pure io.
March 12, 2015
As a huge Sandman fan, I’m pretty easy to please, but this was wonderful.
Sandman: The Dream Hunters is an adaptation of a short story that Neil Gaiman wrote that combined both Dream from Sandman and Asian fairytale elements.
Dream Hunters is the story of a monk and a fox who go to great lengths for each other. The monk is minding his own business at his temple when both a fox and a badger try to convince him to move along and free up the nice spot. The ways in which they tried to persuade the monk were pretty entertaining and the interaction between the monk and the fox later on when the monk's life is in danger was heartwarming. Even though things don’t end up exactly as planned (when do they ever in a Gaiman story?) I loved every second of it.
The artwork is fantastic and perfectly fits the story. It’s very reminiscent of old Japanese woodcut artwork.
Most of all, I got to see Dream again! God I love that character so much. I would’ve read it for that alone.
If you’re a Sandman fan, this is worth reading as a chance to get to see Dream again. And even if you’re not, it’s a great little fairytale and one I’d definitely recommend!
And if you get a chance, check out the artwork they have in there from Yuko Shimizu, it’s pretty incredible:
Sandman: The Dream Hunters is an adaptation of a short story that Neil Gaiman wrote that combined both Dream from Sandman and Asian fairytale elements.
Dream Hunters is the story of a monk and a fox who go to great lengths for each other. The monk is minding his own business at his temple when both a fox and a badger try to convince him to move along and free up the nice spot. The ways in which they tried to persuade the monk were pretty entertaining and the interaction between the monk and the fox later on when the monk's life is in danger was heartwarming. Even though things don’t end up exactly as planned (when do they ever in a Gaiman story?) I loved every second of it.
The artwork is fantastic and perfectly fits the story. It’s very reminiscent of old Japanese woodcut artwork.
Most of all, I got to see Dream again! God I love that character so much. I would’ve read it for that alone.
If you’re a Sandman fan, this is worth reading as a chance to get to see Dream again. And even if you’re not, it’s a great little fairytale and one I’d definitely recommend!
And if you get a chance, check out the artwork they have in there from Yuko Shimizu, it’s pretty incredible:
July 9, 2021
🦊
It was interesting to read both versions of this story so close together. At first I had thought I might not be as engaged with this one because I've not longed finished the story really, but I loved how different it was, and P. Craig Russell's take on it swept me away as well. Both versions felt worthwhile and I really liked seeing how two drastically different artistic styles can make a story feel fresh and new.
It was interesting to read both versions of this story so close together. At first I had thought I might not be as engaged with this one because I've not longed finished the story really, but I loved how different it was, and P. Craig Russell's take on it swept me away as well. Both versions felt worthwhile and I really liked seeing how two drastically different artistic styles can make a story feel fresh and new.
January 10, 2017
Oh my goodness. I think my heart has just stopped!
Sandman: The Dream Hunters is a superb addition to the Sandman canon and once again, shows us the literary storytelling genius of Neil Gaiman. P. Craig Russell also deserves whole-hearted praise for his depiction of a Gaiman classic tale focusing on the love between a fox (who adopts the form of a beautiful woman) and a monk. The story is heart-breaking at times and focuses on the real meanings behind love, devotion, faith and life.
Honestly, this is a beautifully simple tale full of Gaiman's rich vocabulary and endless imagination, illustrated perfectly by Russell. I honestly think this is a writer/illustrator marriage made in heaven. They both complement each other so well and I feel privileged to be able to read, share and delight in the enchanting worlds they create. May their reign long continue!
I also thank Gaiman for pointing out in the afterword that Russell has also illustrated Oscar Wilde's short stories which I shall definitely have to get my hands on soon. Both men are simply geniuses.
Sandman: The Dream Hunters is a superb addition to the Sandman canon and once again, shows us the literary storytelling genius of Neil Gaiman. P. Craig Russell also deserves whole-hearted praise for his depiction of a Gaiman classic tale focusing on the love between a fox (who adopts the form of a beautiful woman) and a monk. The story is heart-breaking at times and focuses on the real meanings behind love, devotion, faith and life.
Honestly, this is a beautifully simple tale full of Gaiman's rich vocabulary and endless imagination, illustrated perfectly by Russell. I honestly think this is a writer/illustrator marriage made in heaven. They both complement each other so well and I feel privileged to be able to read, share and delight in the enchanting worlds they create. May their reign long continue!
I also thank Gaiman for pointing out in the afterword that Russell has also illustrated Oscar Wilde's short stories which I shall definitely have to get my hands on soon. Both men are simply geniuses.
December 3, 2020
I'm not quite sure, but this might actually be my favorite story in all of Sandman? Perhaps it's simply because it's self-contained, has a solid through line, and seems not to get ahead of itself. I really loved the feel of the love story and the magic and mysticism. It's... everything that Sandman has going well for it without any of the significant drawbacks.
January 22, 2022
A delightful and wonderful story. The artwork was beautiful. Loved how he created a Japanese style legend in the Sandman universe. So creative. Loved it
February 7, 2017
4 1/2 stars
January 6, 2023
This is a wonderful comic adaptation illustrated by P. Craig Russell, released a decade after the original illustrated novella, which I read last year. Neil had fans and academics fooled (Russell and myself included)—everyone believed he had adapted an old Japanese fable to fit into his Sandman universe, while he had in fact entirely made it up. Knowing this, the story itself is even more brilliant and awe-inspiring in its faux authenticity. I bought it hook, line, and sinker, I really did.
While the artwork is lovely and complements the story, I’m detracting a star because I didn’t really get anything new from this version. The original novella is already beautifully illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, and while Sandman was always at home in the graphic novel world, I find that the original format chosen for this particular story works better.
—————
My other Sandman reviews:
01: Preludes & Nocturnes · ★★★½
02: The Doll's House · ★★★★
03: Dream Country · ★★★
04: Season of Mists · ★★★★½
05: A Game of You · ★★★½
06: Fables and Reflections · ★★★½
07: Brief Lives · ★★★★½
08: Worlds' End · ★★★
09: The Kindly Ones · ★★★★★
10: The Wake · ★★★
Overture · ★★
Endless Nights · ★★★★
Death: The Deluxe Edition · ★★★★
Audible Original Act I · ★★★★★
Audible Original Act II · ★★★★★
Audible Original Act III · ★★★★★
While the artwork is lovely and complements the story, I’m detracting a star because I didn’t really get anything new from this version. The original novella is already beautifully illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano, and while Sandman was always at home in the graphic novel world, I find that the original format chosen for this particular story works better.
—————
My other Sandman reviews:
01: Preludes & Nocturnes · ★★★½
02: The Doll's House · ★★★★
03: Dream Country · ★★★
04: Season of Mists · ★★★★½
05: A Game of You · ★★★½
06: Fables and Reflections · ★★★½
07: Brief Lives · ★★★★½
08: Worlds' End · ★★★
09: The Kindly Ones · ★★★★★
10: The Wake · ★★★
Overture · ★★
Endless Nights · ★★★★
Death: The Deluxe Edition · ★★★★
Audible Original Act I · ★★★★★
Audible Original Act II · ★★★★★
Audible Original Act III · ★★★★★
December 24, 2021
"Nothing is done entirely for nothing. Nothing is wasted. Take what you have learned and move on."
Neil Gaiman's afterword was very telling: he was in fact only inspired by Japanese myths and did not remodel one after the Sandman fashion. This story is therefore wholly unique. And by golly is it unique. There could be hundreds of takeaways from The Dream Hunters, and none of them incorrect. The narration is dreamy, as is fitting.
Neil Gaiman's afterword was very telling: he was in fact only inspired by Japanese myths and did not remodel one after the Sandman fashion. This story is therefore wholly unique. And by golly is it unique. There could be hundreds of takeaways from The Dream Hunters, and none of them incorrect. The narration is dreamy, as is fitting.
June 26, 2023
Mi è piaciuto tantissimo 😭
February 11, 2010
Even though the story is based on a tale from Gaiman's head, it completely reads like a Japanese fairy tale. The story is a beautiful unrequited romance and the illustrations are gorgeous. I also like how the ending is left a little bit open, so that the reader can hope they ended up together.
September 11, 2022
The Sandman: The Dream Hunters collects issues 1-4 of the DC Vertigo series written by Neil Gaiman and adapted by P. Craig Russel.
Originally released as an illustrated novella, The Dream Hunters is a fable that Morpheus recites to Matthew the Raven regarding The Monk and The Fox.
Even though this story is bookmarked by Morpheus and Matthew, it can easily stand on its own as a fable. You can add in more Sandman mythos interpretations if you are familiar with Dream’s background and story. But the fable itself is beautiful and adding in Russel’s artwork makes it truly breathtaking. This may be one of my favorite Sandman works.
Originally released as an illustrated novella, The Dream Hunters is a fable that Morpheus recites to Matthew the Raven regarding The Monk and The Fox.
Even though this story is bookmarked by Morpheus and Matthew, it can easily stand on its own as a fable. You can add in more Sandman mythos interpretations if you are familiar with Dream’s background and story. But the fable itself is beautiful and adding in Russel’s artwork makes it truly breathtaking. This may be one of my favorite Sandman works.
October 5, 2022
A curious retelling of Japense fables ft our favourite shape-shifting King of Dreams 🕯
February 12, 2024
Gotta love a fairy tale fox.
December 1, 2018
The Dream Hunters was beautiful. I have no words to describe just how beautiful it was. Both in the stellar writing by Neil Gaiman, who has yet to disappoint me, and the marvellous art by Craig Russell. The two of them combined could not have created anything more brilliant.
As a lover of Japan and everything mythology, I was pleasantly surprised when I learned the plot was about both. I went into this graphic novel blind, having not previously read the famously acclaimed Sandman books and knowing virtually nothing about the story. So I can only speak for this one installment.
It's about a tragic forbidden love, pain, revenge, and lessons learned. Everything that could make my heart flutter and constrict in all the right places. And even after a good night's sleep, I still can't shake this story out of my head - it was so sinfully whole and satisfying.
The writing was melodic and fairy-tale like, strange, brutal, unapologetic - very Gaiman, very lovely. The art was not too vibrant, reminescent of 17th/18th/19th century Japanese drawings but never close enough to lose the modern reader's attention. It also had some Art Noveau and Disney influence in places, which can sound contradictory and a royal mess, but the three tied together made for absolute perfection.
To say any more would spoil the experience. You need to read this and take it in and want to cry and laugh and hug it to yourself, because you're a sappy mess of a person.
The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I needed and wanted more and even if it feels like the perfect length (theoretically) it's also incredibly short at the same time. I also feel like I didn't know enough about this world and the characters to fully appreciate it. I'd probably have to read Sandman first.
~ 4.5 stars ~ This book grants an Acceptable (A) grade in Muggle Studies (N.E.W.T.s) and thus concludes my Readathon! ~
As a lover of Japan and everything mythology, I was pleasantly surprised when I learned the plot was about both. I went into this graphic novel blind, having not previously read the famously acclaimed Sandman books and knowing virtually nothing about the story. So I can only speak for this one installment.
It's about a tragic forbidden love, pain, revenge, and lessons learned. Everything that could make my heart flutter and constrict in all the right places. And even after a good night's sleep, I still can't shake this story out of my head - it was so sinfully whole and satisfying.
The writing was melodic and fairy-tale like, strange, brutal, unapologetic - very Gaiman, very lovely. The art was not too vibrant, reminescent of 17th/18th/19th century Japanese drawings but never close enough to lose the modern reader's attention. It also had some Art Noveau and Disney influence in places, which can sound contradictory and a royal mess, but the three tied together made for absolute perfection.
To say any more would spoil the experience. You need to read this and take it in and want to cry and laugh and hug it to yourself, because you're a sappy mess of a person.
The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I needed and wanted more and even if it feels like the perfect length (theoretically) it's also incredibly short at the same time. I also feel like I didn't know enough about this world and the characters to fully appreciate it. I'd probably have to read Sandman first.
~ 4.5 stars ~ This book grants an Acceptable (A) grade in Muggle Studies (N.E.W.T.s) and thus concludes my Readathon! ~
March 8, 2023
Nice one sitting side story of the Sandman told of a Japanese monk and a fox.
April 2, 2010
I read this to compare with the original illustrated narrative version of Dream Hunters. It was good, but not as good as the first. It really started to work for me in the second half of the book the though. At the point where you see the monk's dream, Russel cut out all the narrative for this part and did the entire dream with only the pictures to speak. It was really well done.
The afterword was very enlightening. Neil Gaiman admits that he never meant anyone to take the afterword of the original version seriously. In other words, there was never any Japanese fairy tale called "The Monk and the Fox" and he didn't base it on those stories. He took many different parts of Japanese mythology and incorporated them into his story, but those were independently researched. Well, he had me fooled, as you can see by my review of the original book. I even tried to look up the story he referenced (as did a lot of other people apparently) and when I couldn't find it, I was a little bummed. Isn't it appropriate that I read this on April Fool's Day? I'm leaving my original review untouched as a reminder that authors are nothing more than really good liars.
The afterword was very enlightening. Neil Gaiman admits that he never meant anyone to take the afterword of the original version seriously. In other words, there was never any Japanese fairy tale called "The Monk and the Fox" and he didn't base it on those stories. He took many different parts of Japanese mythology and incorporated them into his story, but those were independently researched. Well, he had me fooled, as you can see by my review of the original book. I even tried to look up the story he referenced (as did a lot of other people apparently) and when I couldn't find it, I was a little bummed. Isn't it appropriate that I read this on April Fool's Day? I'm leaving my original review untouched as a reminder that authors are nothing more than really good liars.
January 3, 2021
3.5 stars. This was pretty good. A story about duty, love and revenge. Well told with some wonderful art. This book could have easily achieved 4 stars but it had one of those ambiguous endings that I’m not the fondest of.
March 18, 2018
Siempre es bueno reencontrarse con el viejo Morfeo. En este caso P. Craig Russell hace un gran trabajo con las ilustraciones, como siempre, pero la historia no me terminó de gustar
February 14, 2022
Nothing is done entirely for nothing. Nothing is wasted. You are older, and you have made decisions, and you are not the fox you were yesterday. Take what you have learned, and move on.
August 22, 2022
classic.
January 29, 2018
Linda fábula de Neil Gaiman y con increíbles ilustraciones de P. Craig Russell. Todo se vuelve aún más genial al saber que es una historia creada completamente por Gaiman, y no la adaptación de un antiguo cuento japonés, como se podría suponer al leer los tintes mágicos y líricos que tiene el relato.
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