Thank you, Chris, for posting this lovely video of Neil Gaiman reading his poem “Instructions”, © 2000 (from: A Wolf at the Door). It’s about what to do if you find yourself inside a fairytale. Good instructions for real life, really, as Jan pointed out today.
5 Responses to “Neil Gaiman: Instructions”
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I first came across it in his book Fragile Things – a collection of short stories.
I don’t usually like short story collections but this was excellent and the way it was put together was creatively brilliant.
What i really liked was at the beginning of the book there are extensive notes explaining the origin of the pieces that follow but he even manages to hide a story in there too.
Left by chris on November 5th, 2009
Damm! I didn’t know that, and NOW i’ll have to think about it everytime i pick up his work.
Left by chris on November 6th, 2009
Oh dear, I’m sorry, Chris
I deleted my message to you (which was that Neil Gaiman was a member of Scientology). I spent some time this morning reading up on his family, he was born into a family who was very active in Scientology. It seems he’s not an active member himself, but just doesn’t want to talk about it. The grapevine says it has to do with wanting to stay in touch with his active family members. You know how it is, Scientology restricts contact to members who leave and then criticize the sect.
Well, perhaps it is actually good and heartening to know that such a gifted writer has had to find a personal solution to an exceedingly vexing social problem.
Left by Anne on November 6th, 2009
I think i need to do a little research…. my only experience is of walking past their centre/office/shop/place that used to be near Goodge street in London.
They used to try to get you to go inside and do a psychology test… they seemed very harmless…..
Left by chris on November 6th, 2009
Anne and Chris, thank you both for leading me to this. Beautiful.
Lots of lovely instructions for life and living.
Left by Vicki on November 7th, 2009