On February 4, I'm going to hear Neil Gaiman speak at UCLA's Royce Hall. If you look to the right, you'll notice I'm reading Coraline (again) to refamiliarize myself with his work. I want his words to be fresh in my mind. More bang for the buck. The ticket wasn't cheap, especially for an underpaid, overworked teacher/writer/coach/tutor/juggler. Okay, I'm not really a juggler.
This past September I taught The Graveyard Book (6th Grade Summer Reading). The concept is ingenious (though a reincarnation of The Jungle Book, which Gaiman happily concedes as a major influence), the point of view is fascinatingly omnisicient (which is extremely hard to accomplish), and the writing is buttery (like you're being told a story around a campfire). Though not short, Gaiman's sentences are definite; it's this way or that way, and he's sure of it. At the same time, he threads fantasy, mystery, horror, and humor (at least in his young reader stories) into a winding path that keeps the reader turning pages, even if it's only to experience the villain's return. His characters are proud of their existence, whether living or non-living, and, after the last chapter of The Graveyard Book, I wanted to leave, to go somewhere new, to travel someplace across the globe. I wanted out of my shell. A storyteller who can muster that kind of emotional response from me has, in my opinion, THE GOODS! It's Good to Be Gaiman. Like he does at most of his presentations, I'm sure Gaiman will open the mic for questions. I'm embarrassingly stupid when it comes to speaking in front of people (yes, I'm a teacher), but I'm willing to put myself out there for you. If you could ask Neil Gaiman one question, what would it be?
"What have you written?" does not count, and if you ask that, you will be expunged from Chalk Head Nation.
I don't know what I would ask, but I wanted to wish you good luck...Have fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon. Cool beans.
ReplyDeleteI would so love to whip out an uber profound, intelligent question for you here, but I gotta be honest, Neil Gaiman makes me shiver in my boots, because he is just so awesome! Okay, gaining a grasp.
ReplyDeleteAsk him if he considers himself crazy and, if so, do his characters make him feel 'normal'?
Ha.
Okay, that was just wonderful to read. I'm in the middle of The Graveyard book. Reading it to my son and it is lovely prose. "Definite" and "he is sure of it". Love that. No question. I'm totally tongue tied.
ReplyDelete(shivering)
ReplyDelete@Tina - the story sags in the middle when the Man Jack disappears. I think it could've been cut by 40-50 pages or so. But I'm no editor. Interested to hear your take on it.
Ask him where he gets his ideas. I'm sure he's never heard that one.
ReplyDeleteI just bought American Gods but I haven't started it yet. It's an adult book, and I kind of wish I'd started with Stardust or the Graveyard book. Have you read any of his adult stuff?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he's happy with the movie version of CORALINE.
ReplyDeleteword verification: skittl...I am not a fan of Skittles...they hurt my tongue.
@Myra - I have not read any of his adult stuff. Adult books are far too sophisticated for me.
ReplyDelete@Anita - Not sure. I read his online Journal sometimes and he seemed satisfied with it. Even the sixth graders thought it was freaky. I haven't seen it yet, though It's on the "to watch" list along with four dozen other movies.
I loved the Graveyard Book. I want to read Coraline (haven't seen the movie yet...)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a fun night.
Has any of your students read his books? If so, I bet they'd have some good questions. And if turns out to be a silly question, you can add that it's from a student. :)
@Kelly - Brilliant. Duh! Why didn't I think of that? I'll have my students write questions for him and say I might have the chance to ask one or two of them. You should teach.
ReplyDeleteI think my son and I have got to the saggy part, in any case my son and I slowed way down. I will keep you posted.
ReplyDelete