http://quettandil.blogspot.com/2009/0... ( )

Preludes & Nocturnes is the first novel in Gaiman's Sandman series. A graphic novel, P&N introduces readers to Morpheus, the Master of Dreams. Imprisoned for decades by a power-hungry man, Morpheus frees himself and attempts to retake various trappings of his profession. Other stories, related directly or indirectly, are interwoven into the narrative.

I was intrigued by the foundation this novel sets up, but I'm not rushing to go out and buy the second. I probably will as I am a bit curious to see where the story goes. I will say this: There is a mini-story in the novel called 24 Hours that is absolutely horrifying. I was so disturbed I read it twice - I like being disturbed; what can I say?

The more I write and think about this novel, the more I find myself feeling kindly towards it if that makes sense. For instance, I just flipped it open and caught this passage:

"People think dreams aren't real because they aren't made of matter, of particles. Dreams are real but they are made of viewpoints, of images, of memories and puns and lost hopes."

A wonderful philosophy. So I will go buy the next and see what happens. ( )

delete_me ( )

Just as the title suggests, this novel introduces the circumstances of what is going on, who is Dream, and what he can do.

Dream is the lord of his Dreamworld. Although one would think that he would be cruel and merciless, he is actually logical and kind in his own way.

A circle of men had attempted to ensnare Death so as to stop people from dying but had instead captured Dream, who waited for seventy years to escape his prison.

When he escapes, he sees what his absence has done to the people of Earth. He sets off to find his tools of his trade... the items that contain his energy, his spirit. The first is on Earth and we meet some of the J.L.A. and Constantine. The next is in Hell, where Lucifer reigns with two other lords. The final is on Earth as well, but is in the hands of a sadistic lunatic. The final tool proves to be the most difficult to retrieve but is rewarding to Dream in ways than he could not have thought. ( )

One of the best books I've read. ( )