Fragile Things

Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders 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 . . . In a Hugo Award-winning story, a great detective must solve a most unsettling royal murder in a strangely altered Victorian England . . . 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