I will read anything with Neil Gaiman's name on it. Really, I'd buy anything with Neil Gaiman's name on it. When they come out with Neil Gaiman-branded pens, please let me know. So, knowing he's just released a series of short stories, I'd start there.
When I went to find these short stories, I also happened to find this set that he had not written but edited. I love when authors I admire do things like this, because it helps me get inside their heads just a bit more. I like understanding them through their taste.
Unnatural Creatures is a series of short stories based around the theme of, well, creatures that are unnatural. The way that this is interpreted is very broad, from the classic werewolf and unicorn set to some very odd safety pins and coat hangers. I loved two very specific things about this book of short stories. First, it's clear Gaiman is interested in the sort of wry and peppy British-type humor and writing that I so enjoy, because there is so much evidence of it in this book. Second, even the more "text book" unnatural creatures included twists in their stories that made them interesting and new. I am glad that I read this.
I lied: there's a third thing I really liked, which was the ending. The last story is a clever beautiful little tale about a woman attempting to meet Death, and I just thought that was a lovely note to end on.
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