Get Your Shorts in a Bunch discussion

This thread is now open for discussion. Please remember to mark all spoilers!

Whoa! I think this *may* be my favorite so far. I don't know what it is about this story, but it captivated me BIG TIME. I LOVED the descriptions of the clubs, where people would go to 'enjoy their glowering solitude' (That made me chuckle). Plus, I love the 'story within a story' thing, which Gaiman is a master at. What do y'all think about this one?

I guess I should add that the ending was what REALLY nailed it for me. VERY creepy, in the best of all possible ways :-)
~Teresa~

Yes... I agree. This is a great one. The chance of the listener being knowledgeable about the subject of the story is just... creepy. You never know who you're interacting with, you know?

On another topic... Sometimes with Neil's stories, I forget that they aren't YA. Not because they seem juvenile or anything, but because he's not, to me, a writer who gets vulgar or brutal very often, and often his stories are about children or teens in some way.

What I mean is that he surprises me with adult themes sometimes, and I have to remind myself that he is capable of them because I find myself getting used to... simpler? stories from him. I really don't mean that in a negative way. I love Neil's stories, and I think that simple here is a compliment, because it's HARD to tell a good simple story that also has depth and meaning and interpretative possibilities.

But... THIS story surprised me in that way. (view spoiler)[With the boys pulling out their penises, first, and then the ending, where the man at the bar admitted to having experienced cruelty in that house as well, and that his father "had other games" for the boys... (hide spoiler)] It gives me a shiver and it reminds me that I should not underestimate Neil... no matter how he lulls me in with simple stories sometimes.

I can't read your spoiler at the moment (damn app!!!), but you are absolutely right with your observations about Gaiman being able to tell a short simple story that can linger in your mind longer than a 400 page book. And like you mentioned, he ISN'T YA, but his stories do oftentimes include children. Actually, when I was reading some of the reviews for Smoke & Mirrors and this one, several reviews bashed both works for being 'too adult themed.' But I LOVE Gaiman's diversity. Yes, he CAN write for a children's audience, and for old people and everyone in between. Not many authors can do that! That's part of why I love him so much! I was flipping through 'Unnatural Creatures' yesterday and I can't wait to read it, either!
~Teresa~

The spoiler was just about the "cavaliers vs roundheads" bit, and the end surprising me.

I'll still check it out when I get home to the laptop. I'm almost caught up to a story a day! I'm gonna try and get a little ahead, too, cause I'm starting a buddy read on Monday..