The View From the Cheap Seats
Selected Nonfiction
Book - 2016 | First edition
"An enthralling collection of nonfiction essays on a myriad of topics--from art and artists to dreams, myths, and memories--observed in #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman's probing, amusing, and distinctive style. An inquisitive observer, thoughtful commentator, and assiduous craftsman, Neil Gaiman has long been celebrated for the sharp intellect and startling imagination that informs his bestselling fiction. Now, The View from the Cheap Seats brings together for the first time ever more than sixty pieces of his outstanding nonfiction. Analytical yet playful, erudite yet accessible, this cornucopia explores a broad range of interests and topics, including (but not limited to): authors past and present; music; storytelling; comics; bookshops;travel; fairy tales; America; inspiration; libraries; ghosts; and the title piece, at turns touching and self-deprecating, which recounts the author's experiences at the 2010 Academy Awards in Hollywood. Insightful, incisive, witty, and wise, The View from the Cheap Seats explores the issues and subjects that matter most to Neil Gaiman--offering a glimpse into the head and heart of one of the most acclaimed, beloved, and influential artists of our time" -- Provided by publisher.
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Publisher:
New York, NY : William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2016]
Edition:
First edition
Copyright Date:
©2016
ISBN:
9780062262264
0062262262
9780062459626
0062459627
0062262262
9780062459626
0062459627
Characteristics:
xviii, 522 pages ; 24 cm
Alternative Title:
View from the cheap seats
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shayshortt
Jun 24, 2016
“Ask me with a gun to my head if I believe in them, all the gods and myths that I write about, and I’d have to say no. Not literally. Not in the daylight, nor in well-lighted places, with people about. But I believe in the things they can tell us. I believe in the stories we can tell with them. I believe in the reflections that they show us, when they are told. And, forget it or ignore it at your peril, it remains true: these stories have power.”
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Add a CommentA collection of essays, speeches, and articles from Neil Gaiman that speak out in defense of libraries, reading, dreaming, and so much more.
I really wanted to like this, but it just didn't grab me. I loved the beginning where he talked about the importance of literature and libraries and reading to children, but after that it was just introductions to books and authors I didn't know.
This is a great book. I love Gaiman's non-fiction essays. So smart, so personal! Highly recommend.
I love Neil Gaiman and am glad I read this compilation of his speeches and essays. However, I found myself skipping several chapters as the content was similar to earlier chapters.
Very much enjoyed this. Actually, I bought it. He's thoughtful and funny; he's a good essayist as well.
Loved this! While it's a little hefty, the format makes it move super quickly. I highly recommend the audiobook, read by Gaiman!
A collection of Neil Gaiman's nonfiction writing, predominantly book introductions with a smattering of speeches, newspaper/magazine articles, and general essays. As one would expect of Gaiman, the prose is beautiful, thought provoking, and, as he promises in the introduction to the collection, at least one of the essays will point you to books, films, authors, artists, or musicians you now want to explore. Despite weighing in at just over 500 pages, I found the collection a quick read and a delight to explore. A read worth dipping into if you're a Gaiman fan.
from Brain Picking
The best way to approach this book is to select the pieces you want to read. There are whole sections which I read every one of the essays and sections I skipped a ton in. Very thoughtful pieces and maybe some will even introduce you to new writers/artists/books.
Inspiring on reading, writing, art, and life in general, even to me - not (yet) a fan. My thorough (not necessarily in the order of sections compiled) reading of each piece exposed me to paths that I'd like to explore further, but also dotted with redundancies (collections of overlapping subjects) and trifles, compounded by my unfamiliarity with the writers, artists and works that many articles were dedicated to.
One of the best introductions (not just from this book): (p308) The Best American Comics, 2010.
(Typo found)