From #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman, an astonishing collection of short fiction that stretches the boundaries of imagination, probes the depths of human experience, and reveals how the ordinary and the fantastical are intertwined.
Fragile Things showcases the distinctive storytelling genius that has made Neil Gaiman one of the most admired literary artists of our time. The thirty-two gems of prose and verse in this astonishing collection stretch the imagination and engage the intellect even as they illuminate the vagaries of human experience. Whether he’s conjuring a mysterious traveling circus, exploring the rarefied tastes of an exclusive epicurean club, or visiting a strangely altered Victorian England, Gaiman reveals how the ordinary and the fantastical are transmutable and intertwined.
With breathtaking clarity, Fragile Things illumines Gaiman’s brilliance as well as his terrifyingly entertaining dark sense of humor. By turns delightful, disturbing, and diverting, this volume is a gift of enchantments that will startle the senses and stir the soul.
Industry Reviews
"One delight after another." -- Booklist (starred review) "FRAGILE THINGS is a delightful compendium...[Gaiman] is indeed a national treasure."--Washington Post Book World "A powerful and oddly unified collection, a perfect introduction to Gaiman's work for new readers and a thrilling reminder to his long-time fans . . . [T]he shorter prose form allows Gaiman a greater freedom of whimsy and provocation than even his graphic work, with stunning results."--Toronto Star "Readers will be reminded most in these stories of that master craftsman...Ray Bradbury...Gothic tales of high caliber."--Baltimore Sun "Fiercely playful and very grim, wisps of whimsy and wonder buoyed by the happy heart of a tragic poet."--USA Today "Those with a taste for inventive idiosyncracy will find themselves fully rewarded."--San Francisco Chronicle Book Review "Charming, at times creepy, and good fun . . . [W]ell-worth adding to any collection; highly recommended."--Library Journal "[Gaiman] is a one-man story engine. . . . FRAGILE THINGS is a delightful compendium . . . [Gaiman] is indeed a national treasure."--Washington Post Book World "Strange, or sweet, or eerie, or heartfelt stories . . . wonderfully peculiar . . . Gaiman relishes the sacred act of telling stories."--Entertainment Weekly "Lush prose...and a winning faith in the enchantment of stories. Expect the unexpected. Then savor the chills."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review "A prodigiously imaginative collection . . . The best of these clever fantasy metafictions explore the mysteries of artistic inspiration."--New York Times Book Review, Editor's Choice "A prodigiously imaginative collection...The best of these clever fantasy metafictions explore the mysteries of artistic inspiration."--New York Times Book Review "The tales of FRAGILE THINGS are nibbles and bits of Gaiman's immensely satisfying inner landscape. They are fiercely playful and very grim, wisps of whimsy and wonder buoyed by the happy heart of a tragic poet."--USA Today "One delight after another."--Booklist (starred review) A prodigiously imaginative collection . . . The best of these clever fantasy metafictions explore the mysteries of artistic inspiration. --New York Times Book Review, Editor's Choice" [Gaiman] is a one-man story engine. . . . FRAGILE THINGS is a delightful compendium . . . [Gaiman] is indeed a national treasure. --Washington Post Book World" Strange, or sweet, or eerie, or heartfelt stories . . . wonderfully peculiar . . . Gaiman relishes the sacred act of telling stories. --Entertainment Weekly" The tales of FRAGILE THINGS are nibbles and bits of Gaiman s immensely satisfying inner landscape. They are fiercely playful and very grim, wisps of whimsy and wonder buoyed by the happy heart of a tragic poet. --USA Today" A powerful and oddly unified collection, a perfect introduction to Gaiman s work for new readers and a thrilling reminder to his long-time fans . . . [T]he shorter prose form allows Gaiman a greater freedom of whimsy and provocation than even his graphic work, with stunning results. --Toronto Star" Those with a taste for inventive idiosyncracy will find themselves fully rewarded. --San Francisco Chronicle Book Review" One delight after another. --Booklist (starred review)" Lush prose...and a winning faith in the enchantment of stories. Expect the unexpected. Then savor the chills. --Kirkus Reviews, starred review" Charming, at times creepy, and good fun . . . [W]ell-worth adding to any collection; highly recommended. --Library Journal" FRAGILE THINGS is a delightful compendium...[Gaiman] is indeed a national treasure. --Washington Post Book World" Fiercely playful and very grim, wisps of whimsy and wonder buoyed by the happy heart of a tragic poet. --USA Today" Readers will be reminded most in these stories of that master craftsman...Ray Bradbury...Gothic tales of high caliber. --Baltimore Sun" A prodigiously imaginative collection...The best of these clever fantasy metafictions explore the mysteries of artistic inspiration. --New York Times Book Review" "Charming, at times creepy, and good fun. . . . Well-worth adding to any collection; highly recommended."--Library Journal "The tales of Fragile Things are nibbles and bits of Gaiman's immensely satisfying inner landscape. They are fiercely playful and very grim, wisps of whimsy and wonder buoyed by the happy heart of a tragic poet."--USA Today "[Gaiman] is a one-man story engine. . . . Fragile Things is a delightful compendium . . . [Gaiman] is indeed a national treasure."--Washington Post Book World "One delight after another."--Booklist (starred review)
