Fragile Things [Audiobook] ~ Neil Gaiman
It’s a real treat to hear the author read his other own work, especially when like Gaiman, they are as equally proficient at telling tales as they are at writing them. His narration is as good as any I have heard, whether it be author, actor or professional audio-book artist, always clear and well paced, he brings the stories and characters to vivid life, and you’re compelled to listen to him tell you more and more.
One criticism I do have though and it’s not of Gaiman, but of the production team, and that is that they could have done with putting a short jingle in between each story (and I normally hate sound effects in audio-books), as if you’re not concentrating at the correct moment, it is possible to slip from one story to the next and not realise.
The stories themselves are a mixed bag of both styles and quality, but such is the thing with all short story collections, some will work some won’t, personally my favourites were, “A Study in Emerald” and “How to Talk to Girls at Parties.” but such is the varity and number on offer, if you are a fan of Gaiman’s work, you are bound to find something to your tastes.
Well worth a listen.
Rating: 
for the book.
Rating: 
for the narration.
Buy, Fragile Things at Amazon.
You can listen to the full version of “A Study in Emerald.” here.
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I’ve listened to this, as well as to Neil Gaiman reading Stardust and Coraline, and you’re right, he’s a wonderful narrator! With Fragile Things, though, I really wished they’d cut up the introduction so that the discussion of each story came either right before or right after the story in question, not all together in a lump at the beginning.
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Yes, that would have made much more sense, and would have helped with the “blurry” line that exists between the stories.
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I really need to listen to some more Gaiman on Audiobook. I’ve read everything of his and he’s one of my favorite authors, but the only audiobook I’ve listened too is Neverwhere. I absolutely loved that one. You’re right, he’s one of the best narrators out there. I think I enjoyed the audio version of Neverwhere even better than the novel version. I can imagine his short story collections being pretty cool in audio form.
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I’m sure I’ll be listening to some more of his stuff, before long, the only problem is on the UK version of audible the only one I haven’t read is Anansi Boys and I’d prefer to read that one first.
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