Instructions by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Charles Vess
Bloomsbury, $24.99
Keri Algar
If you ever needed a set of instructions to navigate through one of Neil Gaiman’s fantasy worlds this is the book for you.
Gaiman has written his latest children’s book in keeping with what he is famous for: convoluted fantasies and a wicked imagination. In this story the reader is given recipe-like advice for travelling through a mysterious world of twisted oaks, peering eyes, and lurking gobblings.
Like most of Gaiman’s work the fairytale has a murky moodiness about it which will sit well with his die-hard fans. The illustrations add to the intrigue with images like a ferryman, who is seen from behind as a shadow and reminds one of the grim reaper.
The instructions take the reader through a door and into another realm, down a path, past a castle, over a river, and home again.
Like many children’s books the story offers a milieu of educational metaphors, from living courageously to the dangers of avarice and showing empathy. Yet despite being set in another world, some of the strong directive statements tend to strip the story of the wonderment and awe children’s books traditionally inspire.
It’s difficult to get a child’s imagination flowing with statements like “Favours will be returned, debts will be repaid. Do not forget your manners. Do not look back.” While an adult could take their pick of metaphors from every page of prose the advice tends to severe a child’s imagination rather than giving it room to grow.
The slightly adult theme and overall lack of warm fuzzies is occasionally intercepted by more gentle guidance such as “Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall),” and “dragons have one soft spot, somewhere, always”. It tends to lift the mood a bit.
The curious fairytale winds up where it began and leaves the reader wondering whether to read it again.
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