I’ve never been able to read fantasy novels. At a certain point, I always find myself confused by the imaginary beings occupying a fabricated universe with long names I can’t pronounce. Unfortunately, I am a big fan of the magical and mythical, so I’m constantly on the hunt for a fantasy novel that I can read without needing to refer to a map and term sheet of the different species. The escapism and romanticism a fantasy novel brings is something unparalleled. To be able to plunge into a new world with different rules and different people can be a breath of fresh air. So, while rummaging through a pile of my dad’s old novel collection, I stumbled upon “Stardust” by Neil Gaiman. I wanted to give it a try. I have finally found a fantasy novel that is short enough to be read in a weekend or during study breaks over the course of a week.

The novel follows Tristran Thorn as he embarks on a quest to capture a fallen star to win over a girl he loves. It begins in the village of Wall, a typical rural nineteenth-century English village, until we learn about the town’s namesake, a wall that separates the village from the magical realm of Faerie. Tristran is a seemingly typical seventeen-year-old boy, infatuated with a girl, Victoria. When Tristran asks what he must do for her hand in marriage, she asks for Tristran to retrieve a star the two witnessed fall from the sky, a task Victoria has deemed impossible. Tristran must try, nevertheless. Thus, our hero leaves his village behind to enter a magical realm. However, matters become complicated when we learn that the star is not merely an object, but a sentient being, and Tristran isn’t the only one looking for her. Competing lords are after the star, as well as witches hoping it can keep them youthful. Along the way, Tristran encounters them all, as well as others willing to help him in his endeavors. They offer him advice, hospitality and even help him see more in himself than he had previously. Every character was complex and distinct, and even the magical beings had human elements, making the far-fetched tale relatable. 

What I love most about the novel is how familiar it feels. Though the story is unique, the rich and poetic diction, along with its structure, makes it nothing short of a classic fairytale. The story closely follows the steps of Joseph Campbell’s mythical structure from “The Hero’s Journey.” These steps are what make a story a myth. They include the necessary experiences the protagonist of a myth must go through: departure, initiation and return. This structure can be seen in ancient Greek and Roman mythology, such as “The Odyssey,” as well as in classic fairytales, like “Alice in Wonderland.” In essence, the protagonist must have a calling to go on a journey, face a challenge and go through a transformation of sorts, and ultimately return to the world he left behind armed with new knowledge. When followed closely, this structure grounds a story, allowing its narrative to be fantastical while also being digestible. In my opinion, this is something that most modern fantasy novels lack, leaving readers feeling lost and confused by their complex narratives and plot lines. This may contribute to that nostalgic feeling I get when I read stories that follow this structure; they always remind me of classic tales I’ve heard and read when I was younger. “Stardust” is no exception. 

I went into the novel not expecting anything in particular. After all, I had just found it in my dad’s room and picked it up because it seemed short enough for a weekend read and I love “The Sandman” comic series by Neil Gaiman. What I thought would have just been a way to kill some time instead reconnected me with my long-lost love for fantasy reads. “Stardust” is a modern classic and, at its core, a love story. It contains elements of Victorian romanticism and centers around a young man’s quest to please his love interest. At around 250 pages, the novel is short, sweet and packed with adventure. I would recommend this novel to anyone looking to escape into a new world for a little bit. 5/5.