What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that there's a graphic sex scene early
in the book and other references to sex and erections as the
pages turn. Also, while there's not much violence compared to
other fantasy novels, what is there is somewhat gruesome,
especially the stabbing of a unicorn in the eye and its
decapitation. Gaiman also manages to get in some swear words
(including "f--k") and references to drinking and being
drunk.
Families can talk about bringing a book to the big screen. How does the movie version compare? Do you think this book should have been made into a movie? What gets lost or is gained by creating a movie out of a novel? Families can also discuss the concept of love depicted here. In what way does Tristran love Victoria? How is that different from the way he feels about Yvaine? Why does he go on his quest? What does he learn along the way about true love?
Common Sense Media Review
Though the reading level and type size make this book appear
like any other fantasy aimed at older elementary- and
middle-school readers, and though the movie will certainly make
many tweens want to read the book, the graphic sex scene early
in the story makes it clear that this book was never meant for
children. Had that completely superfluous full-page description
been left out, this book's audience would have been greatly
expanded (despite some rather grisly violence toward animals).
A poor marketing decision, it seems.
This book didn't make much of a splash when it was first published, but author Neil Gaiman has the hot hand now -- and a movie version -- so it's been reissued to coincide with the movie's release. The story itself is pleasant enough. Written in the style of a novel-length fairytale, it has both the advantages and disadvantages of that genre: the vivid magical setting and sense of surprise and wonder, but also the lack of any character development that might cause the reader to feel some emotional attachment. It's a lovely soap bubble, bright and glittering and entertaining, but without much heart.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
