Neil Gaiman And Charles Vess' Stardust

Neil Gaiman And Charles Vess’ Stardust

€18.79

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Description

Winner of the American Library Award, Mythopoeic Award and World Fantasy Award for Best Artist! It is here in Wall that young Tristran Thorn loses his heart to the town beauty–a woman who is as cold and distant as the star she and Tristran see fall from the sky on a crisp October evening. To gain the hand of his beloved, Tristran rashly vows to fetch the fallen star and embarks upon a lover’s quest that will carry him over the ancient wall and into a world beyond his wildest imagingings… NEIL GAIMAN AND CHARLES VESS’S STARDUST features the New York Times best-selling author (THE SANDMAN) and one of the industry’s best illustrators at the height of their creative powers.

  • Author: Neil Gaiman
  • Publisher: DC
  • Published: 1999-07-01
  • Pages: 228
  • ISBN-13: 9781401253226

Additional information

Author

Neil Gaiman

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Summary

What the internet says

Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.

Overall reception: Mixed reception

Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust receives predominantly positive reception as an enchanting adult fairy tale, with readers praising its Victorian writing style, beautiful illustrations, and charming romantic narrative. On Amazon, customers describe it as 'a classic fairy tale for adults' with 'delightful fantasy elements' and note that the story reads like 'a perfect seven-course meal.' The book maintains strong ratings across platforms, with 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon and 4.1-4.7 ratings on various editions. However, reception is not universally positive. Some readers express significant disappointment, particularly with the writing quality and protagonist. One detailed Goodreads review criticizes the tone as attempting to be 'light-hearted and sarcastic' but failing to be genuinely funny, describing it as 'a failed attempt at Piers Anthony's Xanth novels that is neither clever nor funny nor original.' The most substantial criticism centers on the protagonist Tristran, whom some readers find 'utterly offensive' due to his treatment of the female star character, with concerns about problematic gender dynamics being 'central to the plot' rather than incidental.

The illustrated edition receives particular acclaim, with multiple sources emphasizing that Charles Vess' artwork is essential to the experience. Customers specifically recommend purchasing the version with illustrations, noting that the art makes the book 'magical' and serves as 'a beautiful complement to the story.' One reviewer states they 'could not imagine [it] without them.' The book is frequently described as accessible and fast-paced, with 252 Amazon customers mentioning enjoyment positively and 138 praising its readability. The consensus among positive reviews is that Stardust works best as a 'fun adult fairy tale' that provides 'mental escape from the real world,' though it's noted as 'not as dark as [Gaiman's] other work.' Critics who enjoyed the book rate it around 8 out of 10, positioning it as charming and well-crafted but not Gaiman's most complex or original work.

What readers loved

  • Beautiful Victorian writing style that captures classic fairy tale atmosphere and tone
  • Charles Vess' illustrations are stunning and essential, adding depth and magic to every page
  • Fast-paced, engaging story that readers describe as compelling from start to finish
  • Charming romantic elements and coming-of-age narrative with a satisfying ending twist
  • Gaiman's gentle, respectful narrative voice that makes readers genuinely care about characters
  • High-quality production in the Vertigo edition with glossy paper and bonus sketchwork
  • Works well as an accessible 'adult fairy tale' that provides enchanting escapism

Common critiques

  • Protagonist Tristran is criticized as offensive and problematic in his treatment of the female star character, with gender dynamics described as 'sickening reinforcement' of troubling tropes
  • Heavy-handed use of fantasy clichés and tropes without clear satirical purpose, making the story feel bland and unoriginal to some readers
  • Middle section feels scattered with random encounters that lack thematic connection
  • Awkward tonal shifts between juvenile fairy tale elements and adult content (sex and violence) that feel out of place
  • Overly simplistic plot and character development that some find implausible and poorly executed

Based on reviews from

  • Goodreads
  • Amazon
  • Amazon Canada
  • Eyrie.org Review
Last updated May 18, 2026 Summary based on publicly available reviews. May not reflect every reader's experience.

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