Neil Gaiman Reads THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE

We gathered together in the heat to listen to one of modern literature’s greatest fantasy authors. We sweated and listened and walked away with that warm fuzzy feeling that says you’ve witnessed something that you’ll treasure the rest of your life. I may be over-selling it for some, but this is how I felt leaving The Majestic Theater in Dallas last night.

 

Taking the stage to a crowd of close to sixteen hundred fans, Neil Gaiman charmed and lulled us with his voice and words. He read from his new novel, THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE, which hit stores on June 18th, as well as from an upcoming children’s book, FORTUNATELY, THE MILK. The latter was an additional treat that hadn’t happened at any of the prior readings, but Mr. Gaiman said that he was in awe of the beauty of The Majestic and it felt it was the right place to reveal some of the new work.

 

With such a large crowd, the signing took well into the night and those that did not or could not wait could trade their copy of the book for one that was already signed. I had hoped to get mine, as well as a copy of Blueberry Girl personalized for my little girl, but the babysitter needed to get home at a decent hour, so we left.

 

Mr. Gaiman has cited that the reason that he will do no more book signings is due to the terrible strain that it puts on his hands. If I remember correctly, he said that he had autographed approximately 27,000 copies up to that point. I’m surprised he hasn’t insured his hands to Lloyd’s of London, yet. Might not be a bad idea.

 

Neil, we came and sat in huddled, heated masses and listened in silence to your work and we thank you. Though we did not stay to greet you personally, I hope that you come back to Dallas one day, just so that we can hear you read again. Thank you!