Fragile Things
A mysterious circus terrifies an audience for one extraordinary performance before disappearing into the night . . . Two teenage boys crash a party and meet the girls of their dreams--and nightmares . . . . . These marvelous creations and more showcase the unparalleled invention and storytelling brilliance--and the terrifyingly dark and entertaining wit--of the incomparable Neil Gaiman. By turns delightful, disturbing, and diverting, "Fragile Things" is a gift of literary enchantment from one of the most original writers of our time. Contents: vi * From 'Little Nemo in Slumberland' * (1907) * interior artwork by Winsor McCay xiii * Introduction (Fragile Things) * (2006) * essay by Neil Gaiman 1 * A Study in Emerald * (2003) * novelette by Neil Gaiman 27 * The Fairy Reel * (2004) * poem by Neil Gaiman (variant of The Faery Reel) 29 * October in the Chair * (2002) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 45 * The Hidden Chamber * (2005) * poem by Neil Gaiman 49 * Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire * (2004) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman (variant of Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Nameless House of the Night of Dread Desire) 65 * The Flints of Memory Lane * (1997) * essay by Neil Gaiman 69 * Closing Time * (2003) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 83 * Going Wodwo * (2002) * poem by Neil Gaiman 85 * Bitter Grounds * (2003) * novelette by Neil Gaiman 109 * Other People * (2001) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 113 * Keepsakes and Treasures: A Love Story * (1999) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 133 * Good Boys Deserve Favours * (1995) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 139 * The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch * (1998) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 159 * Strange Little Girls * (2001) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 165 * Harlequin Valentine * (1999) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 177 * Locks * (1999) * poem by Neil Gaiman 181 * The Problem of Susan * (2004) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 191 * Instructions * (2000) * poem by Neil Gaiman 195 * How Do You Think It Feels? * (1998) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 205 * My Life * (2002) * poem by Neil Gaiman 209 * Fifteen Painted Cards from a Vampire Tarot * (1998) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 219 * Feeders and Eaters * (2002) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 229 * Diseasemaker's Croup * (2003) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 233 * In the End * (1996) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 235 * Goliath * (1998) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 249 * Pages from a Journal Found in a Shoebox Left in a Greyhound Bus Somewhere Between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Louisville, Kentucky * (2002) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 255 * How to Talk to Girls at Parties * (2006) * shortstory by Neil Gaiman 271 * The Day the Saucers Came * (2006) * poem by Neil Gaiman 273 * Sunbird * (2005) * novelette by Neil Gaiman 297 * Inventing Aladdin * (2003) * poem by Neil Gaiman 301 * The Monarch of the Glen * [American Gods] * (2003) * novelette by Neil Gaiman 357 * Credits (Fragile Things) * (2006) * essay by uncredited