M is for Magic

More short stories! This time, it’s a set of eleven stories brought to you by Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline, a New York Times bestseller and a movie.Gaiman says in his introduction that he is a huge fan of short stories. He cites authors like Saki, Harlan Ellison, John Collier and Ray Bradbury among his favorites. And yeah, it’s no coincidence that the title sounds like a Bradbury creation (a la R is for Rocket) – Gaiman called and asked him if he minded before he did it.You want creepy and magical? You got creepy and magical:

• Nursery rhymes come to life;
• A scary jack-in-the-box makes an appearance generation after generation;
• A stray black cat fights to protect his adopted family from the devil.
• A huge troll makes an unlikely ally; and
• The almost perfect scam artist tries to pull a fast one.

There are a lot of stories to choose from – which is great. I think that leaves a little something for everyone with some humor, some fright and even a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. Children ages 10 and up will be charmed.

My favorite bit in the book isn’t from a story at all. It’s from the introduction. Gaiman wraps it up by saying:

M is for magic. All the letters are, if you put them together properly. You can make magic with them, and dreams, and, I hope, even a few surprises…

The book, out now, retails for $16.99 (hardback).