Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions

Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions

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Description

The astonishing and impressive first collection of short stories from New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman An elderly widow finds the Holy Grail beneath an old fur coat in a second-hand store . . . A stray cat fights and refights a nightly battle to protect his adoptive family from an unimagiable evil . . . A young couple receives a wedding gift that will reveal a chilling alternate history of their marriage . . . Beneath a bridge by the railroad tracks, a frightened little boy bargains for his life with a most persistent troll . . . Such miraculous inventions and more await within Neil Gaiman’s first collection of short fiction, a gift of wonder and delight from one of the most unique literary artists of our day. In his capable hands, magic is no mere illusion, but a powerful means to reveal the nature of our humanity obscured in the smoke of our fears and anxieties . . . and reflected in the funhouse mirrors of our dreams.

  • Author: Neil Gaiman
  • Publisher: Harper Collins
  • Published: 2009-03-17
  • Pages: 388
  • ISBN-13: 9780061795299

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Author

Neil Gaiman

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Summary

What the internet says

Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.

Overall reception: Mostly positive

Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions by Neil Gaiman receives generally positive reception as a collection of 30 short stories and poems spanning fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and magical realism. Readers consistently praise Gaiman's imaginative storytelling and his ability to seamlessly blend reality with the supernatural, with many highlighting his skill at making the unbelievable feel tangible. The collection is described as demonstrating Gaiman's versatility across genres, with stories that twist familiar fairy tales and legends into darker, more complex narratives. Reviewers note that the book includes an introduction where Gaiman provides background on each story's inspiration, which readers found valuable and insightful.

However, reception is somewhat mixed regarding consistency across the collection. Multiple reviewers acknowledge that while they enjoyed the majority of stories, not all pieces resonated equally, with some readers loving certain stories while finding others less compelling. The collection includes explicit sexual content in several stories, which some readers found unnecessary or off-putting. A few reviewers noted that certain pieces felt incomplete or experimental, such as 'Changes,' which is presented as author notes rather than a fully developed story. Despite these criticisms, fans of Gaiman's work consider this collection essential reading, with standout stories like 'Snow, Glass, Apples,' 'Chivalry,' 'Murder Mysteries,' and 'The Price' frequently mentioned as highlights.

What readers loved

  • Gaiman's seamless transitions between realism and fantasy, making supernatural elements feel natural and believable
  • Imaginative reinterpretations of familiar fairy tales and legends from new, often darker perspectives
  • Strong versatility across multiple genres including fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and magical realism
  • Author's introductions providing valuable context and inspiration behind each story
  • Evocative prose that is simple yet powerful, with well-defined character personalities
  • Several standout stories that are both beautiful and chilling, particularly 'Snow, Glass, Apples' and 'Murder Mysteries'
  • Creative premises that blend the mundane with the extraordinary, such as finding the Holy Grail in a thrift shop

Common critiques

  • Inconsistent quality across the 30-story collection, with some stories significantly stronger than others
  • Graphic sexual content in several stories that some readers found unnecessary or uncomfortable
  • Some experimental pieces like 'Changes' presented as incomplete author notes rather than fully developed narratives
  • Not considered Gaiman's best work compared to his novels, with some feeling he excels more with longer formats

Based on reviews from

  • Goodreads
  • Publishers Weekly
  • SF Site Review
  • Goodreads Review Discussion
Last updated May 18, 2026 Summary based on publicly available reviews. May not reflect every reader's experience.

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