Book to Movie (3): Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

I am typically NOT a fan of Neil Gaiman. I know I've just shocked a few people, but he's just too much for me on so many levels....I mean, come on. Mirrormask? Really? I couldn't even figure what it was about. But the one book I tried of his that I enjoyed (please note the grade given...) was Stardust.

Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
Adult, 1997

Tristram journeys over The Wall to find a star that fell for his true love. But the faerie land will provide a series of adventures that forever changes who he is and what he will become.

I snatched this one on a whim many years ago, wasn't a huge fan, and forgot about it until the movie came out. Because the book hadn't been that memorable in a good way, I didn't bother watching the movie. But my husband and I sat down on a reliable source's recommendation and enjoyed the adaptation - enough for me to re-check out this book that I'd forgotten all about.

I have to say this - Gaiman can write. The guy's just got skills. I can't find fault with that at all. However, I was puzzled why a delightful idea for a new fairy tale had to include a couple of sex scenes. Both are limited to one short page, and both are easily skippable, but it bothered me quite a bit. Otherwise it's a very cute story. It's a bit out there, of course - I mean, I did warn you that Gaiman is...well, the writer-version of Tim Burton in a way. And that can mean his stuff is just plain odd. However, it is delightfully imaginative and completely unique for once (instead of a fractured fairy tale which lately has been just overkilled.).
I have to grade a few things separately:
Writing gets an A-.
Plot gets a B-, and if I was being mean about the sex scenes it would be a C+.

And can I just say that since it's been made into a movie does not entitle it to be shelved in the teen section? I know teens might be looking for it, but to me it clearly felt like an adult book...


Stardust, 2007
starring: Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer

The plot line was changed a little - minor details that might drive the more purist Gaiman fans nuts, but made it all the better for me. The movie is PG-13, but was quite clean. I also loved the ending better - it seemed to work better with a fairy-tale story. The acting was fun - no one was horrid, and the dead ghost princes made for a bit of comic relief, which was hilarious. Claire Danes was far superior to her counter-part, but it's overlookable when so much is happening, you don't have time to analyze little moments.

Graded a B+.