Monarch Of The Glen Hardcover – November 3, 2016

Only criticism: the paper seems oddly rough and cheap. Other than that, I am pleased to have it.

Thanks to the TV adaptation, nothing's hotter at present than Neil Gaiman's "American Gods," the tale of the old gods of Europe clashing with the new.But a lot of people probably don't know that Neil Gaiman has written some sequels to the original novel, ranging from the full-length "Anansi Boys" to a pair of short stories that follow Shadow Moon in his wanderings. One of those is "The Monarch of the Glen," which takes Shadow off to Scotland -- and while it lacks focus for awhile, by the end it makes you wish that Gaiman had written a longer and more complicated tale of Shadow's big epic fight.For a year and a half, Shadow Moon has been roaming through Europe. Now he's in Scotland, where he once again receives an offer from a strange old man for a "long weekend's work." Along with a sharp Londoner named Smith, he's hired to cater to guests at a wealthy man's party -- including the mysterious Mr. Alice. But as he is haunted by dreams of his past -- and of godly things, like a ship made of fingernails -- Shadow begins to suspect that the people there are planning something dark and devious, an ancient ritual that they want Shadow to take part in...The biggest problem with "The Monarch of the Glen" is that the first half is a little unfocused, with Shadow floating between the mystery offers of work (which he accepts for reasons that are never really explained), his dreams and his burgeoning almost-romance with a young woman in the town. But once the party starts, everything starts coalescing as Gaiman ties together the various plot threads, even as he weaves in an old heroic legend that might be familiar to his readers.As always, Gaiman's writing is rich, detailed and absolutely sublime -- he makes an ordinary, mundane world of trains, warped songs and little hotels, only to weave a shadowy web that seems to lurk right outside of direct sight. And he plays some clever games with the readers' heads, making you question who is a supernatural being and who isn't (although the identity of one such entity is pretty obvious), even as he sows the seeds of a potential sequel (Thor makes a brief cameo, as does a mythic ship made of human fingernails).As always, Shadow is taciturn and a bit mysterious even to those reading the book -- we're never quite sure what he'll do, but we know that he's a man wandering and searching for what he is now, dealing with the consequences of what he has become and learned. It adds a bittersweetness to his character, and to the interactions he has with Jenny and Smith. He's not a man anymore, but he hasn't quite accepted deityhood."The Monarch of the Glen" is a smooth little stepping-stone between "American Gods" and... wherever Gaiman takes Shadow next. A fine little short story that leaves you craving a lot more.

Love Gaiman!

Each step through the journey through this story with surprises throughout. Gaiman is a genius with his stpry telling abilities

Another great short story that follows the wanderings of Shadow Moon way after the events of American Gods ended. Two years after, to be specific. This story takes place in Scotland, where Shadow is seen visiting different places around Europe and ending up there to view the sights, except nothing is ever that simple with him.While sitting at the bar getting a drink at his hotel, he is approached by a strange man, who makes a strange proposition to him. He keeps referring to him as a "monster" jokingly, not aware how that word resonates with Shadow. He offers him a job for the weekend, for good money, as a security guard for a very private event.A bartender he meets, Jane, warns him later that he should have turned down the job. That it wasn't a good idea. Shadow secretly agrees with her, but a part of him wants to find out what this rich people's party is all about. She tells him that at any point he needs help, he should call to her. As the day approaches, he begins to realize that he has been asked to the party for a yet untold reason. Upon arriving at the big castle/mansion, he sees the amount of security that already exists and that feeling is confirmed.Really good story with the usual Gaiman twists and mystery and mythical creatures involved. I didn't think it was as great as Black Dog, and I don't think it is required to have read American Gods in order to read this story and enjoy it.

Most of this artwork is beautiful

Short story featuring Shadow in Scotland. I have it on the end of my "Fragile things" copy, so I was happy that I didn't have to buy it because it was really nothing special.Breve storia che ha come protagonista Shadow in Scozia. Fortunatamente era l'ultimo dei racconti in "Fragile Things" perché almeno non ho dovuto comprarlo, che non valeva veramente la pena...

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