Stardust was originally conceived by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess as a "story book with pictures", created by both, and to be published by DC Comics. Initially it was released in 1997 in what is known in the medium of comics as a "prestige" format four-issue mini-series. This means it came out once a month in a square-bound high-gloss "comics pamphlet" of sorts with high grade paper, high quality color and no advertisements.

Gaiman and Vess originally intended the story to be released complete, as a single book which would better reproduce the beautiful painted illustrations of Vess and be a "story book" for all ages, and a release in this format was made in 1998. There was both a hardback (ISBN 1-56389-431-9) and a trade paperback edition (ISBN 1-56389-470-X). It is more accurately titled Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' Stardust (Being A Romance Within The Realm of Faerie). The hardback edition is quarter-bound in faux leather with the author's names, title and several stars inlaid in foil. It also has reproductions of the comic book covers and many sketches by Vess. The trade paperback has a very different cover design and illustrations by Vess, and has subsequently been reprinted with another different cover design.

Gaiman retains the copyright to the text and in 1999 decided, encouraged by publisher Avon, to publish Stardust as a conventional novel in hardback without illustrations. There was also a subsequent UK hardcover edition, from Headline. The book also proved popular with readers of the "romance" genre, although it is generally considered part of the fantasy genre. Thus the paperback publication was originally given three different covers which when placed side by side had one background image and a different primary image including a handsome man holding a woman in a passionate embrace, although this cover concept was never used.

Stardust is the book by which many people discover Gaiman, as the second paperback edition was published by Perennial (ISBN 0-06-093471-9) when American Gods began to sell quite well. The illustrated hardback edition, long out of print, is prized by fans and commands quite high prices as a collectible. The illustrated edition of Stardust also seems to be the book that most often interests readers in Gaiman's comic book work.

"There was once a young man who wished to gain his Heart's Desire.
And while that is, as beginnings go, not entirely novel (for every tale about every young man there ever was or will be could start in a similar manner) there was much about this young man and what happened to him that was unusual, although even he never knew the whole of it.
The tale started, as many tales have started, in Wall."
—Stardust: Being a Romance Within the Realms of Faerie, Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess

Stardust is a fairy tale telling the story of Tristan Thorn, a young man who finds his Heart's Desire in an unexpected place, this novel entertains the reader with some vivid and marvelous people and places.

Tristan is a seventeen year old "gangling creature of potential" when the object of his affection, Victoria Forester, names as the price of a kiss a fallen star—and not just any star, but the one they just watched fall. Rather than do as one character advises him ("I'd tell her to go shove her face in the pigpen, and go out and find another one who'll kiss you without askin' for the earth."), Tristan immediately sets off. That night, he crosses the wall between England and Faerie (the wall the town is named for) in search of the star. Of course, he does not expect the star to be a young woman who rather objects to being used as a prize; he also does not know that a fallen star is coveted by people other than love-struck boys...

Tristan's quest takes him throughout Faerie by foot, candlelight, ship of the skies, and carriage. On the way, he meets a number of people, including a unicorn, a witch-queen, a few ghosts (accompanying their murderers), someone who is mostly fur, and a handful of enchanted—persons, for lack of a more accurate term. He also discovers friendship, his heritage, and, of course, his Heart's Desire.

At its most basic, Stardust is a good read. Neil Gaiman is a past master of conversational prose and one can easily imagine this story being told by a kindly uncle at bedtime or a travelling bard around the hearth. Fans will certainly not be disappointed as Gaiman weaves thread after thread into the tale, showing his usual disregard for central characters and ability to surprise and delight readers.

But where Stardust succeeds most is in the curious mix of childlike wonder and mature content, again something Gaiman has a unique talent for (and best shown previously in Neverwhere). The telling of Stardust is very traditional and verbose, in the style of Britain's nostalgic fictional Victoriana. But Gaiman also draws on the darker side of traditional fairy tales -- the kind in which people die, swear, and have sex. In going "back to the source" for many of his elements (the descriptions of witches spells especially) Gaiman has forged a tale which is never offensive, but easily capable of shocking those expecting a bedtime read for their children. Though probably not the children themselves.

Charles Vess' illustration for the book is both atmospheric and well-rendered. In a book such as this the art should enhance rather than compete with the story, and here Vess succeeds admirably. Whilst Stardust would read perfectly well without the illustrations, there is no doubt it would be a poorer overall experience. Stardust is perhaps not innovative, but this is why it flows so well.

Gaiman has clearly enjoyed not having to worry about trying to impress his audience, and the result is a book which is eminently readable for the simple reason that is a very good story. It is essential reading for anyone, not just Gaiman fans, with a taste for an enjoyable, well-told tale with more than a hint of myth and magic.

» As a favor, singer and composited Tori Amos lent Neil Gaiman a house for him to write in. It turned out to be somewhat of a swap...

"Make me a tree," she said one day. Her house was built over a canal, and swans and narrowboats travelled beneath us. "What kind of tree?" I asked. "A red tree," she said. With boyfaeries in my bushes. So I did. [-- neil gaiman; plugged '98 tourbook]

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