A Mixed Bag from Gaiman's World

Neil Gaiman's a household name, and for good reason. He's worked on graphic novels, and his stories have been adapted into films and TV shows. He writes for both kids and adults, which is pretty impressive. I was expecting to love his stuff, but unfortunately, it didn't quite click with me. I tried reading some of his more adult novels, and they just didn't do it for me. The writing style was too sugary sweet, and the stories felt like they were all over the place. I mean, I'm not saying he's a bad writer - he's definitely talented. It's just that I'm not a fan of this particular style. Maybe the problem's not with Gaiman, though.

I've been reading his books in translation, which might be part of the issue. Sometimes the way a book's translated can make or break it for readers. Remember those Harry Potter translations that sparked a huge controversy? Yeah, it's a real thing. Maybe Gaiman's original story got lost in translation, and the translator didn't quite capture the tone he was going for.

Who knows where the translation went wrong, but it's clear that someone tried to force the book into a certain style. And before you know it, the original story's been butchered by the people who are supposed to be editing it. I mean, it's like they're just going through the motions at this point. Okay, I might be getting a bit carried away here, but you get the idea. Let's get back to the book at hand.

Gaiman's not just known for his adult novels, though. He's also written some amazing kids' stories that are both fun and educational. Or sometimes they're just plain silly, which is great too. I mean, who doesn't love a good laugh? And let's be real, his kids' stories are way more my speed than his adult novels. I mean, I'd much rather read about a bunch of weird and wonderful characters than some serious, brooding stuff. But you know what? This kids' story of his is actually really great. I mean, it's not just some bland, formulaic tale. It's got some real heart, and it's actually funny. And the illustrations are top-notch, too.

"But Milk, Happily..." is a really great book that's both fun to read and fun to look at. The illustrations are hilarious, and the story's got a great sense of humor to it. It's one of those books that'll stick with you long after you've finished reading it. And the characters are all so well-developed and quirky, it's like you're right there with them on their adventures.

I have to say, this time Gaiman really surprised me in a good way. I'm not ashamed to admit that this book left me with only positive emotions.

Artist: Chris Ridell

Translator: Mikhail Vizel

Publisher: AST, 2014

Genre: Young Adult Literature

ISBN: 978-5-17-084153-0

Pages: 160 (Offset)

Weight: 274 g

Dimensions: 215x145x15 mm

Book annotation "But milk, happily..."

This strange story happened under completely unremarkable circumstances.

In a house, there was no milk left. Mom was away on a business trip, and dad was the main breadwinner. So, he decided to go to the store to buy some milk. But then, he was kidnapped... by real aliens!

I'd recommend this book for middle school readers.

What really stands out in this story is how Neil brings it all together. And, of course, the illustrations are a big part of that. I mean, they're just hilarious. Without them, the book would be a lot less engaging. It's one of those rare cases where I'm completely on board with the combination of text and images. Seriously, just look at these goofy faces, teeth, and character expressions. They don't evoke fear or disgust. They just make me curious and chuckle. The dad decides to feed the family, but there's a problem: they're out of milk. So, someone's gotta make the trek to get some. Since mom's not home, the responsibility falls on the capable shoulders of the family patriarch. The head of the household sets off on his journey. He's gone for a while, and the kids are starting to get anxious. But, praise the lord, the familiar figure reappears in the kitchen, and dad's got some wild stories to share about his adventures getting milk and making it back home. That's where the magic of the book lies – in its absurdity, playfulness, and ability to spin a yarn. I'm not going to bore you with a long review, but I do want to say a few things. Despite the absurdity of it all, you can tell Gaiman's got a clear plan in place, expertly guiding the reader through the story, moving the dad from one location to the next, and weaving it all into a cohesive narrative. It's a shame I didn't read the original, because even in this adaptation, you can tell the translator did a great job preserving the original names. There's a lot of humor in this book, built around wordplay. And that's what I love. It's like Terry Pratchett's 'Discworld' or the story about the dad who went to the store for milk and ended up in a whole series of wacky events. It's the kind of story that'll keep you hooked, and you'll be eager to find out what happens next.

The way the story's told is super light, and that's no surprise - the book's really geared towards a younger audience, not grown-ups. But hey, that doesn't mean they can't enjoy it for a bit. It's like being a kid again, believing in magic and fairy tales.

If you're a fan of Gaiman's work, I'm sure you'll love this tale too : )

But if you're like me and not a huge fan (or just don't get it?), maybe this story will change your mind. I'm not saying I went out and re-read all his books after 'no milk, please...'. But I did feel a bit more at peace, being part of the excitement around his work.

Finally, I found something that really clicked with me.

I mean, why not? I've never pretended to be some 'grown-up know-it-all', and I don't think that's a sign of maturity. You should be able to accept yourself for who you are. So, if you're a grown man with a beard who loves fairy tales, why not?

So, to sum it up, I haven't fallen in love with Gaiman's work as a whole. I just found this one book that really stood out to me. Maybe in a few years, I'll be able to appreciate his writing in a different way, and maybe I'll even collect all his books. But for now, I really enjoy his prose in this format - it's great.

Enjoy reading, and maybe even sharing with your kids : ) I hope my review was helpful. Until next time, take care of yourselves!