Bibliographic Information

Gaiman, N. (1991). Sandman: Preludes and nocturnes. New York, NY: DC Comics.

ISBN: 1401225756

 

Plot Summary

Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman is the story of Morpheus, also known as Dream. He controls the world of dreams for the living. The story starts with Burgess, a magician, attempting to summon Death so that he may gain immortality. Instead Burgess accidently summons Dream, who he then holds captive for many years. After 70 years Dream eventually escapes and discovers that the world has fallen apart. He finds that most people are not sleeping, while others have entered a deep never-ending slumber. The world is in chaos and it is not the same world Dream remembers. Dream is also not as powerful as he once was, so in order to regain his strength he must find his three stolen tools. While he searches for these tools he meets new characters and is re-connected with characters from his past. This journey will not come easy for Dream, as he will have to endure demons and madmen amongst other truly sinister characters.  

 

Critical Evaluation

The story combines fantasy, horror, and mythology into a beautifully woven story with complex characters. Dream is neither good nor evil and walks a thin line between the two. His character is multidimensional with many layers. He provides dreams for the world of the living and uses his powers to help others. He also uses his powers for revenge and/or nightmares. The story at times feels very realistic as the author incorporates themes about lost, love, morality, and family. For example Dream has been locked away for many years and when he escapes the world is not the same. It is a much darker place for everyone and he has to repair it. However, the people of earth are not the only ones affected by his disappearance. Dream’s sister Death was also affected and he has to work to repair that relationship throughout the story. If they can’t work to repair their relationship the world will continue to be in chaos. This is similar to many Greek mythologies revolving around Zeus and Hades or Norse mythologies about Thor and Loki. When the characters aren’t in some kind of harmonic relationship the human world suffers. Gaiman also used images to tell a sequential story from start to finish. Panels came in different shapes and sizes throughout the story. Even the gutters between panels were filled with artwork. The formatting made the pages feel chaotic and strained. Images were drawn in dark and ominous shades that gave a reader a sense of despair and lost.

 

Reader’s Annotation

I am Dream and I control the world of dreams for the living. I have been locked away for 70 years and have returned to a world I do not recognize. This new world is one were people don’t sleep and those that do sleep…don’t ever wake up.

 

Author Information

The following information was taken from the author’s website, http://www.neilgaiman.com/.

 

“Neil Gaiman was born in Hampshire, UK, and now lives in the United States near Minneapolis. As a child he discovered his love of books, reading, and stories, devouring the works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, James Branch Cabell, Edgar Allan Poe, Michael Moorcock, Ursula K. LeGuin, Gene Wolfe, and G.K. Chesterton.

 

A self-described "feral child who was raised in libraries," Gaiman credits librarians with fostering a life-long love of reading: I wouldn't be who I am without libraries. I was the sort of kid who devoured books, and my happiest times as a boy were when I persuaded my parents to drop me off in the local library on their way to work, and I spent the day there. I discovered that librarians actually want to help you: they taught me about interlibrary loans."

 

Genre

Fictional Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Horror, Classic

 

Curriculum Ties

Could be used for lessons on mythology.

 

Booktalking Ideas

• What famous mythologies does the story incorporate or sound like?

• What did each of Dream’s three stolen tools represent?

• What can you do in the dream world that you can’t do in the real world?

 

Reading Level/ Interest Age

Grades 7+, Teens & Adults

 

Challenge Issues

Sex, Language, Religion

 

Challenge Issue Resources (for usage in a challenge situation)

• Active Listening

• Explanation of why it was chosen for the collection (Rational)

• Awards

• Reader Advisory Reviews (Students, Parents, Educators)

• Positive and Negative Reviews

• National Council of Teachers “Right to Read”

• ALA Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials

• ALA Bill of Rights on Intellectual Freedom

• Library Selection Policy & Library District Reconsideration Form

 

Why I choose it

I choose to read this book because I have seen it in both YA library collections and adult collections. I ultimately choose the book for this collection because of how complex and elaborate the story was.