There is a way into Faerie, beyond the fields we know, and it lies in a village called Wall, somewhere in the early Victorian era. Every nine years there is a fair on the other side of the wall, where Faerie sells its wares to the mundane. Farmer Duncan Thorne had his moment of mad love with a witch's bondservant; Tristan, his son, turned up in a basket nine months later. Now Tristan is old enough to fall in love, and promises Victoria a falling star... This is a fairy story in the tradition of George MacDonald and Hope Mirlees; a book of passion and terror and wit which reminds us that Faerie is not a safe place, or a fair one. And at its edges there lurk other stories--Neil Gaiman's work in comics and television has previously shown his capacity to evoke mystery and glorious magic by telling us just enough and no more, but he excels himself here. Charles Vess's illustrations, (Vess collaborated with Gaiman on key episodes of The Sandman), have charm and occasionally more--the stars dance, Pan looms from the forest, a witch queen rides a chariot driven by goats and Tristan journeys by candlelight leagues at a step. --Roz Kaveney

2008-08-04 Disappointing

I admit, I saw the film first. Normally I'm a firm beleiver in reading a book before seeing a film but for once I got it the wrong way round. But I'm rather glad I did because, despite its insanely cheesy and cutesy Hollywood touch, I actually enjoyed the film and in comparison was bored by the book.

Its true Gaimon was a nack which makes prose flow unlike any author I've ever read before but I found the story deeply unimpressive. It was very short and highly anticlimatic. I realise Gaimon has quite the following and he's probably just not my thing (which is a pity cos fantasy is my favourite genre) but in my opinion, if you enjoyed the film, you'll be deeply disappointed by the book.