Audiobook Review: The Sandman: Act II by Neil Gaiman

About:

The Sandman: Act II by Neil Gaiman is the audiobook adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel. This audiobook collects volumes 4 (Season of Mists) and 5 (A Game of You), as well as most of volume 6 (Fables & Reflections).

• 13 hours and 47 minutes
• Publisher : Audible Originals
• Language : English
• ASIN : B098TWBMJ6

My rating for The Sandman: Act II  – 4
Buy The Sandman: Act II from Amazon.com*
More Books by Neil Gaiman*

Thoughts:

The Sandman: Act I was an audiobook which was, almost universally, hailed as a triumph. I completely agree with the majority, it was an event – not just an audiobook.

I also enjoyed the majority of The Sandman: Act II by Neil Gaiman. The story about Morpheus reigning in hell as a punishment from Lucifer was certainly the highlight. The rest of the audiobook, however, consists of short, unrelated stories. Some interesting, some not so much – but all entertaining.

The delivery by such luminaries as James McAvoy, Kat Dennings , John Lithgow, David Tennant, and Jeffery Wright make this audiobook an event to be heard. Michael Sheen shines as Lucifer and provides some of the best dialogue and banter with McAvoy’s Morpheus.

I thought the short stories were the weakness of the audiobook. There are some standouts such as Regé-Jean Page as Orpheus singing in ancient Greek (The Thermidor), is haunting. However, towards the end of the book it was difficult to keep track of what’s going on, and I was just waiting for it to end.

This is not saying that this audiobook is bad, quite the opposite. I’m glad I bought and will most likely listen to it in the future. I’m actually thinking about listing to it with the graphic novel in front of me.

Act I was the first audiobook I listened to which was a full-cast audio drama (for lack of a better description). I hope that more of these are made with the same care to casting, music, acting, and general atmosphere which, somehow, filters through the headphones.

Synopsis:

The story starts with Morpheus, The Sandman – Lord of Dreams, realizing he wronged a former lover, damning her to eternity in hell. Lucifer, however, is still upset about Morpheus beating ones of his demons in the previous story and decides to punish him… by making him responsible for hell.

This forces Morpheus to deal with the forces that demand control of hell, as well as other mythical entities.

Buy The Sandman: Act II from Amazon.com*
More Books by Neil Gaiman*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I bought this book through an Audible.com membership.
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on books