The Dark Library
"Smoke and Mirrors" by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is probably best known for his Sandman graphic novels and his collaborative effort Good Omens with Terry Pratchett. However, it seems as if Gaiman is truly multitalented, as Smoke and Mirrors brings us a collection of his short stories and poetry.
It would be fair to describe his work as dark, with trips into disturbing and unsettling, but whatever feeling a piece leaves it is likely to be well written with clever descriptions, with each dark idea beautifully executed. Smoke and Mirrors brings us 36 entries, ranging from the subtle snippets of Fifteen Painted Cards From a Vampire Tarot to the bizarre Babycakes. Even the introduction contains a complete but sad story called The Wedding Present.
The icing on the cake, however, is the introduction, which as well as including the story and general author's comments, also contains individual comments giving the history of each story.
In all, Smoke and Mirrors provides a fascinating insight into the author's mind, wrapped around a fine collection of the dark and the disturbed.
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