Customer Reviews

Death: The Time of Your Life

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Neil Gaiman continues to impress with his sharp attention to creating a wholly developed world of characters. _Death: The Time of Your Life_ is a welcome spotlight on two characters that have traveled through several "Sandman" novels, as well as Death's previous novel, _The High Cost of Living._ While their appearance was brief in _The High Cost of Living_ (Foxglove taking center stage for one song, then fading into the background with a second) both the songs and the characters have a far deeper lineage within the Sandman series. Indeed, if you begin to trace the origins of Foxglove and Hazel, you will be treated to one of the richest, most complex story lines in the Sandman universe.

Begin with _A Game of You,_ and you will learn what Foxglove meant when she said, near the end of _The Time of Your Life,_ "We'd had a bad night once, in Manhattan, years ago. Bad dreams, people died." You will also discover the origin of the song "George's tongue." You will meet the friend, Wanda, to whom Foxglove refers when introducing her second song, back in _The High Cost of Living._ So many details. Keep looking and you will find more.

Follow the story arc backwards to _The Doll's House,_ where Foxglove's "small world" is perhaps at its tightest. You will meet someone who knows Donna Cavanaugh, before she turns into Foxglove. You will meet someone who will later share an apartment building with Foxglove and Hazel. You will find several allusions to, and a newspaper clipping of, a defining moment in Foxglove's life.

"24 Hours," perhaps the single most riveting story in the Sandman series, can be found in _Preludes and Nocturnes._ Foxglove sings about this event ("My name is Judy and I died/on a bad day in eighty-nine") in her debut. This story is like a rock thrown into a pond, waves rippling in all directions. Shortly afterward, same novel, "The Sound of Her Wings" will be Death's first appearance.

_Death: The Time of Your Life_ is, on it's own, a terrific short novel. It should also server to punctuate Mr. Gaiman's tremendous abilities as a storyteller. This story is woven into his existing tapestry with care, subtlety, and expert craftsmanship.

In the hands of most ordinary writers, this book would be a disaster. It juggles a myriad of complex issues, such as sexuality, the fleeting nature of fame, the multiple meanings of love, desire, and committment, and the value of friendship and life. Each of these concepts would be enough for a book on its own...
Aren't we lucky that Neil Gaiman is definitely no ordinary writer? And his character of Death is extraordinary too; she cares.
Foxglove is struggling personally even as her fame shoots through the roof - she wonders whether she should stay in the closet, and whether she should stay with Hazel and their son Alvie or go it alone. Hazel is struggling too; she wants to know the value of her relationship, and to save her son's life, most of all. Death listens. Understandingly. Patiently. And because of her, Hazel and Foxglove realize what matters most to them.
Though it lacks the immediacy and emotional power of Death: The High Cost Of Living, this is still a captivating companion piece. It carries through the same message as D:THCOL - the most important thing in life is to remember to live.

Despite the title, Death isn't the central character in this graphic novel; but that's fine with me, as I find Hazel and Foxglove equally interesting. I don't know what people are talking about--I *like* the art. It's not like Sandman art, it's very slick and airbrushed-looking. But still cool, especially the scenes with the neat checkered borders. You should probably know that you're unlikely to get the version you can see a photo of on this website--the black-and-white cover with Death drinking coffee. My version has quite a different cover--some person who doesn't look like Death. Still, it should be the same story.

I liked this just as much as The High Cost of Living, maybe more. Death is less bubbly, more subdued...still not as cool she is in _Sandman_, but fine. This is more human and moving, I think, than THCOL. I love Death's "Nobody's creepy from the inside..." speech. I think the reason she's so melancholy in this book is because...well, this is just after The Kindly Ones and The Wake, right? You know what I'm talking about, if you've read them.

Like High Cost of Living, this isn't quite up to the standards of Sandman, but quite worthwhile. If you want my opinion, it's best to read both _Death_ series one after the other, between A Game of You and Fables and Reflections. Earlier, you wouldn't recognize certain of the characters; later, you won't appreciate the _Death_ books so much because they can't come close to the beauty of the later issues of Sandman.

(Warning: contains major plot spoilers)

I have to admit, this story disappointed me. It's OK, but just not as good as I've come to expect from Neil Gaiman. In 'Sandman' and 'Death: The High Cost Of Living' he managed to create a character who was at once very likeable and yet utterly convincing. She loves _everybody_, no matter who they are, and when their time is up she comes for them - that's who and what she is. The Endless may look and even act human now and then, but they're not. She's not 'Death Girl'; she _is_ death.

But in 'The Time Of Your Life', Gaiman tries to make her more human. When Alvin dies, she takes pity on Hazel and gives him a few more months of life; later, she allows someone else to die in his place. This is not how death works in the real world, and up until now it's not how Death has worked in Gaiman's world either. It's not true to the character we know, and the change just isn't convincing. Gaiman has engineered a 'happy ending' of sorts, but the credibility of his character has suffered.

While "Death: The High Cost of Living" had a more intriguing storyline, I still loved "Death: The Time of Your Life." The story features Foxglove, a minor character in the first Death graphic novel, and her lover, Hazel. Their trials and tribulations--including Foxglove's sudden rise to fame and the dynamic of having a son, Alvie--are illustrated (no pun intended.)

While the story isn't fleshed out as much as it could be, it was still a very enjoyable, engrossing read. The illustrations are beautiful and the emotions were dead-on and lacking in cliche, usually a given in Gaiman & co's work.

Foxglove must have been modeled on Ani DiFranco (another reason to love her!) but we don't really learn enough about Hazel. And as mentioned in other reviews, Death is far from the main character here. However, as I've stated, there is a lot to like here, and I do believe this qualifies as a must-have for Death--and Sandman/Gaiman--enthusiasts.

(Also an excellent introduction for those not familiar with Gaiman's world, or the world of comics at large.)

If you've read Sandman, you're familiar with Gaiman's character, Death. If you've chose to read Death: The Time of Your Life to learn more about Death, you may have to consider a couple of things. One reviewer said that Death is not like the character that we know from Sandman, simply because she gave Alvie a few more weeks to live. This is true, partially. However, in the four Sandman trade paperback, Death lets dead Charles roam about with Edwin until she has more time and energy to come back and get him. In essence, she lets him have his way about death for a little while, which is the same thing she did with Alvin. We see that Death can be a little human-like, showing mercy or even just being tired.

So, if you're worried about reading this because you think it may hurt your perception of Gaiman's writing or just of the character Death, I'd say it's safe to read it.

Another thing: Death appears in The Time of Your Life about as often as she appears in the fourth Sandman trade paperback. That's not too often, though it is a little more than she appears in most of the others. You may be a little disappointed if you just want to read something that focuses on Death.

If you want to read Death: The Time of Your Life to learn more about Hazel and Foxglove, then, by all means, pick this up. The Time of Your Life focuses on them. You'll probably be satisfied.

I wasn't particularly impressed with "Death: The High Cost Of Living", which is the prequel to this book. The only reason I read this sequel is that I purchased both at the same time. Actually, I wound out liking this "Death" book better than the first, though it is less about Death and more about living.

Death has a little more power in this book, and is not as silly or giddy as before. Taking the side characters Foxglove and Hazel from "THCOL" and centering on them, this book continues with Foxglove's career taking off at a phenomenal pace. Hazel's baby Alvie is now born, and Hazel stays at home while Foxglove is out making appearances and records. On top of which, Foxglove has been advised by her manager not to reveal the nature of her lesbian relationship with Hazel.

But unknown to Foxglove, Hazel has made a deal with Death in her attempt to save Alvie's life. Foxglove is now not only going to have to choose between her family and her career, but also between life and death.

Three stars is still as high as I can go for this tale, and that is purely out of respect for Neil Gaimen. In all honesty, I dislike "touchy-feelie" books and this one has "syrup" written all over it, along with more cheesy song lyrics to be subjected to trying to finish the storyline. Gaimen's other works are much better, and if you like his books and his Sandman series, save these little "Death" graphic novels for last. They are not worthy of his other works and should be purchased only to fill in the holes in your collections.

You see, it's not that this is a mediocre work - it's definitely above average (hence the 3 out of 5 star rating) - it's just that we've been spoiled silly by the brilliant standard of writing, plotting, philosophy and character that Neil Gaiman so generously gave us through the epic run of his, 'Sandman,' series and when we come across a spin-off graphic novel that doesn't quite live up to that standard, of course we're going to be just a wee bit disappointed. With that being said, if you were a fan of the, 'Sandman,' series then you certainly dug the character of Death, and with that of course you have to read this volume as well. While the artwork is brilliant throughout (almost taking on a japanese manga look at times) the writing, sadly, just isn't quite up to snuff. Still, it's a slim enough book to make breezing through quite an effortless and pleasing experience.

I liked this book, but being one who has not read the Sandman books, I can't say how much this characteriztion of Death might differ from her Sandman persona, but I have to say that she is very cute ^_^ Check out page 32. This book deals with the lesbian couple who made an appearance in Death: The High Cost of Living. Foxglove has become famous, but her lover Hazel has begun to feel like she is being left behind, and although she is happy that her lover has found fame, she also dislikes the fact that she has to share Foxglove with the rest of the world. It starts to become weird when Hazel's child Alvie passes away one night, and Hazel strikes up a deal with death: give Alvie back and you will get someone else in return. Quite a simple plot. Not as good as the first volume, but still a fun read. Death, however, is a very minor character, she doesn't even show up until a third of the book is over. However, Death is stilla friend to all. Much nicer than the Grim Reaper would ever be.

This collection of Gaiman oeuvre again features the witty and charming Goth-girl, uniquely a people person, called Death. We also revisit Foxglove and Hazel, the rock star and chef lesbian couple introduced in prior Death tales, and their son, Alvie. Indeed, toddling Alvie dies in this series, but Hazel persuades Death to give him back to her. Characterization, ever a Gaiman forte, is no less so here. The principles all far exceed expectations and by tale's end, seem like folks

you know and would like to know better. A relatively minor character, Vito is humorously, yet poignantly portrayed as an underwear model and, while serving as Foxglove's "beard," as she struggles between a desire to publicly come out and the supportive, but cautious advice of her management, he too is shown in the fullness of humanity. There are the usual Gaimanesque plot contortions, which never seem forced or contrived, but merely the natural evocations of the quirky lives the

characters realistically live. DC Comics clearly marks this collection as "suggested for mature readers;" while it certainly isn't for children, there is much here for older teens and young adults and the sophisticated plot and characterization will not fail to nail seasoned readers.