Call number
Genres
Publication
DC Comics (1997), Graphic No, Paperback
Pages
192
Description
In the final Sandman tales from issues #70-75 of the acclaimed series, Morpheus makes the ultimate decision between change and death. As one journey for the Endless ends, another begins for the Lord of Dreams and his family. It's a wake in which friends and loved ones, relatives and rivals, fleeting lovers and immortal enemies gather to pay their respects and to mourn their loss.
Awards
British Fantasy Award (Nominee — 1998)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1997-02
Physical description
192 p.; 10.2 inches
ISBN
1563892790 / 9781563892790
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User reviews
LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the tenth and final book in the Sandman series by Gaiman and various illustrators. It was a wonderful conclusion to the series and I really enjoyed it.
The first two parts of this graphic novel deal with the death of Morpheus. We watch as the Endless prepare for his Wake and as people travel
This was a stunning closure to the series. After the heart-breaking ending in book 9 where Morpheus chooses Death over continuing to run the Dreaming, this book was good closure for readers. It was nice to reminisce along with the other characters about things that had happened previously and about how Morpheus affected everyone's lives. It was good to watch the new Morpheus take-over and see life continue. It really drove home the point of the Endless...which is that they are...well...endless.
Some of the illustration throughout was absolutely stunning. The scenes from Morpheus's Wake are just breathtaking. Some of the later sections are done in a more stylized way and are just as breathtaking for their simplicity.
Overall this was a fantastic conclusion to this series; although I am bit sad to reach the end of it. I kind of want to start reading it all over again right now. If you have been enjoying the Sandman series thus far, you definitely will love this final installment.
The first two parts of this graphic novel deal with the death of Morpheus. We watch as the Endless prepare for his Wake and as people travel
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to the Dreaming to attend. There is much reminiscing. The last parts deal more with the new Morpheus and the affects of him taking over the dreaming.This was a stunning closure to the series. After the heart-breaking ending in book 9 where Morpheus chooses Death over continuing to run the Dreaming, this book was good closure for readers. It was nice to reminisce along with the other characters about things that had happened previously and about how Morpheus affected everyone's lives. It was good to watch the new Morpheus take-over and see life continue. It really drove home the point of the Endless...which is that they are...well...endless.
Some of the illustration throughout was absolutely stunning. The scenes from Morpheus's Wake are just breathtaking. Some of the later sections are done in a more stylized way and are just as breathtaking for their simplicity.
Overall this was a fantastic conclusion to this series; although I am bit sad to reach the end of it. I kind of want to start reading it all over again right now. If you have been enjoying the Sandman series thus far, you definitely will love this final installment.
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LibraryThing member Crowyhead
This is a beautiful closing chapter to the Sandman saga. I love Michael Zulli's artwork, particularly the delicacy that he uses to draw the new Dream, and John Muth's art for the story "Exiles" is a triumph. After the tumult of The Kindly Ones, Gaiman gives the reader a chance to reflect, mourn,
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and look forward to things to come. Lovely. Show Less
LibraryThing member TurtleKnitta
This final installment of the Sandman series was utterly gorgeous, both in prose and in illustration. The drawings gave a beautiful weight to the words, finishing the story in the perfect manner. It was one of the best volumes of the series.
LibraryThing member -Eva-
In which Morpheus, the Dream King, the Sandman, is no more, the Endless and all of humanity attends a wake, and Daniel has transfigured into Dream of the Endless. There are a lot of impressive imagery, lovely speeches, and cameos by the most powerful of this and other worlds, but the heart of this
Although very much the end of a story, the emphasis in this installment is of a beginning. We have a new Dreamlord and he is very much different from the last. Currently confused by his surroundings and how to adjust to those who work in his palace, he has a sensitivity about him that will serve him, as well as the dreamer, well in the future. The only thing that's left to ponder is that perhaps he is too much different from the old one - if once, however many years in the future, this Dream decides he's done, it will most likely be because of feeling too much than too little for his loved ones (and I am very sure he will have many).
There is a lovely play on words in this installment, since the first part deals with what happens in the wake of recent events, the second is an actual wake, and in the last, we, the dreamer, wake from the dream and the whole series. As usual, along with the more serious issues, there are some wonderful levity to be had, such as Matthew meeting a few of the Endless (and Barnabas) for the first time and, since all their names start with the letter "D," says, “Hello. Let’s see: you two I know. Delirium…Death. I thought you only wore black. You must be… Let’s see: Desire. Despair. Destiny. And, uhm… Dog?”
After the end of the overall story, there are three more stories told, one of Hob Gadling at a Renaissance Fair where he finds out that his dream of the wake was true, but that he gets to keep the bargain Dream and he made; one of a Chinese man, exiled by the Emperor, who finds his way into a soft place, where he meets both past and current Dream - and the new one shows his colors by releasing the army from the story "Soft Places;" and the last about Shakespeare finishing the second play Dream had commissioned and where it seems evident that it was Dream's plan all along to "break [his magician's] staff...and drown [his] book."
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story is Matthew and (formerly) Daniel and their respective struggles to deal with and acclimatize themselves to a completely new situation.Although very much the end of a story, the emphasis in this installment is of a beginning. We have a new Dreamlord and he is very much different from the last. Currently confused by his surroundings and how to adjust to those who work in his palace, he has a sensitivity about him that will serve him, as well as the dreamer, well in the future. The only thing that's left to ponder is that perhaps he is too much different from the old one - if once, however many years in the future, this Dream decides he's done, it will most likely be because of feeling too much than too little for his loved ones (and I am very sure he will have many).
There is a lovely play on words in this installment, since the first part deals with what happens in the wake of recent events, the second is an actual wake, and in the last, we, the dreamer, wake from the dream and the whole series. As usual, along with the more serious issues, there are some wonderful levity to be had, such as Matthew meeting a few of the Endless (and Barnabas) for the first time and, since all their names start with the letter "D," says, “Hello. Let’s see: you two I know. Delirium…Death. I thought you only wore black. You must be… Let’s see: Desire. Despair. Destiny. And, uhm… Dog?”
After the end of the overall story, there are three more stories told, one of Hob Gadling at a Renaissance Fair where he finds out that his dream of the wake was true, but that he gets to keep the bargain Dream and he made; one of a Chinese man, exiled by the Emperor, who finds his way into a soft place, where he meets both past and current Dream - and the new one shows his colors by releasing the army from the story "Soft Places;" and the last about Shakespeare finishing the second play Dream had commissioned and where it seems evident that it was Dream's plan all along to "break [his magician's] staff...and drown [his] book."
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LibraryThing member GingerbreadMan
And so the saga concludes – and continues. The epilogue of the Sandman series deals with legacy, expectation, loss… but perhaps most of all with forgiveness and mercy. Less a story per se, and more a gentle mediation where we drift between snippets of conversation at Morpheus’ wake and follow
But in the stories that make up the end of this voulme, we also get other ambiences. The chapter about Hob at the reneassance fair, where he come sto terms with the darker sides of his own past, is profound and human, but also probably the funniest in the whole series. The ambience as we return to the soft place in the Gobi desert is surreal, steep and angular (don’t you just love how the bridge comes about!), giving us another perspective again on the difference between the old and the new Dream.
Cursing in church a nit now: To me, the weakest chain in this link is the story about Shakespeare writing the Tempest. It’s Gaiman flaunting his biographical knowledge again, and even though the speculation around why Dream would want exactly that play is interesting, I guess i’m just not interested in Shakespeare’s personal life to really take this to my heart.
All in all, a more than worthy conclusion to an amazing series. I for one think it’s Gaiman’s finest. In my humble opinion, none of his prose is quite up to par with this achievement.
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the new Dream in the last hours before metting with his family, this is a contemplative read full of cameo appearances from the whole series. Several of the people condemned by Morpheus along the way are released, given peace. The whole thing is more lyrical and still than anything else.But in the stories that make up the end of this voulme, we also get other ambiences. The chapter about Hob at the reneassance fair, where he come sto terms with the darker sides of his own past, is profound and human, but also probably the funniest in the whole series. The ambience as we return to the soft place in the Gobi desert is surreal, steep and angular (don’t you just love how the bridge comes about!), giving us another perspective again on the difference between the old and the new Dream.
Cursing in church a nit now: To me, the weakest chain in this link is the story about Shakespeare writing the Tempest. It’s Gaiman flaunting his biographical knowledge again, and even though the speculation around why Dream would want exactly that play is interesting, I guess i’m just not interested in Shakespeare’s personal life to really take this to my heart.
All in all, a more than worthy conclusion to an amazing series. I for one think it’s Gaiman’s finest. In my humble opinion, none of his prose is quite up to par with this achievement.
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LibraryThing member ragwaine
So this is the last Sandman. Not a big deal really. Kind of boring - somber and slow. The art was nice. The last story had a bunch of quotes from "The Tempest" and I'm not much of a Shakespeare fan so it didn't really move me. Some nice creative touches but once again I'm underwhelmed and left
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wondering why this series is such a big deal. Show Less
LibraryThing member xicanti
The world gathers in the Dreaming to bid farewell to a point of view.
And now we see what happens After. This is a much quieter volume than any that has come before. It's sombre and introspective, and it's not about moving forward so much as saying goodbye. That's not to say that there are no
However, the wake itself isn't the end. It does provide us with all the closure we really need, but there are also three stories at the end that tie up a few other loose ends and give us some further insight into everything we've just read. We see Hob one final time. We return to a Soft Place in the company of a disgraced bureaucrat . And we watch Shakespeare discharge his debt to Dream.
While I enjoyed Hob's story very much, the other two weren't entirely perfect. I can take or leave the courtier in the desert, and Shakespeare's story drags a little now that I'm so familiar with it. There's one line, though, right near the end, that makes the whole thing worthwhile. It just throws Morpheus into relief. I find myself reconsidering his entire story in light of this one tiny piece of information. The story was deep to begin with, but this one line raises the water level to a whole new height.
Highly recommended, but you really should read the rest of the series first.
And now we see what happens After. This is a much quieter volume than any that has come before. It's sombre and introspective, and it's not about moving forward so much as saying goodbye. That's not to say that there are no
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developments and no growth; Dream, in particularly, changes a great deal over the course of this story, both literally and because we learn more about his past through his former lovers' reminiscences. The focus, however, is on the farewells. We see how each of the characters is dealing with the aftermath of The Kindly Ones, and we ourselves are given a chance to say goodbye both to Morpheus and to his unusual family.However, the wake itself isn't the end. It does provide us with all the closure we really need, but there are also three stories at the end that tie up a few other loose ends and give us some further insight into everything we've just read. We see Hob one final time. We return to a Soft Place in the company of a disgraced bureaucrat . And we watch Shakespeare discharge his debt to Dream.
While I enjoyed Hob's story very much, the other two weren't entirely perfect. I can take or leave the courtier in the desert, and Shakespeare's story drags a little now that I'm so familiar with it. There's one line, though, right near the end, that makes the whole thing worthwhile. It just throws Morpheus into relief. I find myself reconsidering his entire story in light of this one tiny piece of information. The story was deep to begin with, but this one line raises the water level to a whole new height.
Highly recommended, but you really should read the rest of the series first.
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LibraryThing member Mary_Overton
SPOILER ALERT: Don't even look at this volume until you have read the previous nine.
'The Wake' is a resolution to the climactic events in volume 9 and provides fresh insights and perspectives on the many story lines introduced throughout Sandman's saga.
'We are gathered here today to remember my
'The Wake' is a resolution to the climactic events in volume 9 and provides fresh insights and perspectives on the many story lines introduced throughout Sandman's saga.
'We are gathered here today to remember my
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brother, who was the Lord of this Realm; to pay our respects, and then, ultimately, to forget him.... He was the Lord of the things that are not, and were not, and never will be ...' (71) Show Less
LibraryThing member deslni01
Gaiman concludes the series with an amazing blend of writing and artwork. After the events of The Kindly Ones, the reader is brought on a sorrow-filled journey of picking up the pieces. Almost every reader will identify immediately with Mathew, and his thoughts and feelings about Dream and the
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current situation. What a wonderful conclusion to a masterful series. Show Less
LibraryThing member GothicGuru13
After the death of Dream - intriguing - a bit long and drawn out - week compared to the rest of the run - but outstanding compared to any other graphic and most non-graphic novels
LibraryThing member theboylatham
Six out of ten.
The conclusion of the series, wrapping up the remaining loose ends in a three-issue "wake" sequence, followed by three self-contained stories.
The conclusion of the series, wrapping up the remaining loose ends in a three-issue "wake" sequence, followed by three self-contained stories.
LibraryThing member pokylittlepuppy
Ok so. This thing about how Dream has died. Somehow. Though he's not really a living thing, but all right. In the last book, where that happened, I was disappointed. Since I found out about it at the beginning, I was waiting for something big to cause it -- a severe sacrifice, or a severe
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miscalculation, something severe enough to justify such a big leap. But I'm disappointed in the reasoning. I don't think readers really understand the Orpheus thing, because while it looked like a big deal, no one said very much about it. So why did this really have to happen?And, this is important, but controversial: I don't think Dream is strong enough of a character to pull us into a tragedy with him. I think that actually this is one of those series where the title character is one of the least compelling pieces. He is cool, but I think that he rarely appears to be anything. His most vibrant moments are mostly when his sister Death is talking with him, because she is awesome. 5 stars for Death. So much so that I wondered, was this idea just an excuse to get her in the picture to say some really good stuff to him? But that's not it. And I don't buy him as reluctant sullen romantic anti-hero -- the whole thing with Nuala's being in love with him after being his servant for so long and inadvertently dooming him by calling him to her, just, no. Thessaly's story about their relationship is at least somewhat intriguing, though not really in line with the Dream King we've seen.There's some nice endings in this book, but not a lot of answers, which is what I hoped for. I still don't really get why this happened to Dream, and why baby Daniel took his place. Among other things. I felt frustrated that the funeral was followed by a bunch of short stories, because I needed more of the real story. The art in this volume is the most wonderful in the whole series, though, a huge improvement over the solidly icky looking Book 9. And Matthew the raven's angst was really good.I wonder what the heck is going to be in Book 11. Show Less
LibraryThing member lydiasbooks
It was interesting but I didn't like it enough to go on to read the rest of the series. This may well be due to the medium of the graphic novel, rather than Gaiman's skill as an author.
LibraryThing member cromanelli927
SPOILERS AHEAD!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
I finished The Wake just now. Just this second. I have spoken to no one about its contents. This is an instant reaction, a far cry from the last few posts. I wonder what I thought it would be. No, I don't. I know that I thought I would be introduced to the new
.
The story begins with the actual wake for the Dream who has just died: Morpheus. I truly enjoyed Matthew's journey from denial into acceptance. I really identify with Matthew. The new Dream (Daniel) who we meet briefly is actually quite charming. He is very sympathetic, and his sense of duty seems mingled with doing what is right by others. This is a change from the last Dream who did what was his duty, but did not always seem to consider the well-being of the others around him. Only five of the Endless show up for the wake and funeral. Destruction visits Daniel, but he does not visit his siblings. I like him less for that. Mostly I am disappointed that we don't hear what Death says, only that "her words make sense of everything. She gives you peace. She gives you meaning." I want peace and meaning! I feel a little cheated by that. This story/episode/whatever breaks the fourth wall and makes use of the second person. It's rarely done in modern lit, and it's always disconcerting to me. We were all there, supposedly, but I have no memory of it. It's a strange blending of realities.
After the wake and funeral have concluded, we catch up with our friend Hob Gadling. He has found new love and still does not desire death, even though he knows Morhpeus is dead. He is an interesting character. I like him. I like the fact that when he falls asleep he dreams that Dream and Destruction walk with him on a beach. When his girlfriend asks him how the story ends, he says, "Well, there's only one way to end a story, really." I love the contrasting worldviews here. Amidst this great tragedy, someone random tells us the only way to end a story is happily. It's my kind of worldview for sure.
Gadling's story is followed by a weird Chinese one that seems to have happened in the past, but I think Daniel is the Dream rather than Morpheus. You can't really tell from the artwork, but at one point it says, "Flames flicker in the whiteness of his robe," and that sounds like Daniel to me rather than Morpheus. Besides, Daniel gives the man an open invitation, which does not seem like something Morpheus would do. Once rejected, Morpheus seems to be incapable of renewing the offer. Daniel is much more human, as one of the introductions pointed out (not this one because I haven't read it). I think though, that the ability to retain one's humanity once you become a god might diminish with age. Death is very cool, but not everyone can have her upbeat personality. Definitely most people would be jaded by immortality. I think even my boyfriend, but who knows.
The final story returns to Shakespeare, and it is about the writing of The Tempest rather than A Midsummer Night's Dream. We meet Judith and Anne. Anne is horrible, but at one point Judith points out that she was really heartbroken when her husband left for London. She at least allows him to sleep in his house and see his daughter. It is, perhaps, more than I could have done. I can't harbor ill will towards her. Shakespeare is a little whiny in this piece, and I wonder what critics have made of that. He is very concerned with his afterlife in a way that upsets me a little. I guess one of the coolest things about Shakespeare is that we know so damned little about him. We can make him whatever we like. There is also some amazing hubris in the idea that Gaiman's Morpheus inspires Shakespeare. Shakespeare admits to borrowing tales and speeches. Isn't that enough?
I am keenly aware now of the fact that I have finished the series. I felt like I had finished it with Worlds' End. By the time, I got to The Kindly Ones, I had already accepted Dream's death. Now, I feel like I have mourned him and am ready for a new distraction/fascination. As far as book exchanges go though, this one was way more my thing than Stephen King's Dark Tower series, although I enjoyed that too in my own way. I find more and more that reading is a way for me to get through hard times. I know I am probably escaping rather than dealing, but I don't see a need to fight every battle. Lonliness and disappointment need not be thought about so much; there isn't really much one can do about them anyway. Lesson planning is necessary, however, and I must think on that now. :) Blessed with work and blessed with children. That I am.
I forgot to mention that in this book we figure out who Dream has been brooding over! It's Thessaly/Larissa the witch!!! I hate to sound gossipy (kind of), but I just can't believe she's his type. How could he ever be fooled into thinking she had a heart? Okay, I'm done now.
I finished The Wake just now. Just this second. I have spoken to no one about its contents. This is an instant reaction, a far cry from the last few posts. I wonder what I thought it would be. No, I don't. I know that I thought I would be introduced to the new
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Dream, but I was not. He is a minor character in these stories. In many ways it seems these are the stories that didn't fit anywhere else. Gaiman writes on the page after the last of the story that he is good at goodbyes. I am not. I am a little confused. I think there is some sort of memory thing I am supposed to be cherishing with the last tale, but all I can think is: he's dead, let him be..
The story begins with the actual wake for the Dream who has just died: Morpheus. I truly enjoyed Matthew's journey from denial into acceptance. I really identify with Matthew. The new Dream (Daniel) who we meet briefly is actually quite charming. He is very sympathetic, and his sense of duty seems mingled with doing what is right by others. This is a change from the last Dream who did what was his duty, but did not always seem to consider the well-being of the others around him. Only five of the Endless show up for the wake and funeral. Destruction visits Daniel, but he does not visit his siblings. I like him less for that. Mostly I am disappointed that we don't hear what Death says, only that "her words make sense of everything. She gives you peace. She gives you meaning." I want peace and meaning! I feel a little cheated by that. This story/episode/whatever breaks the fourth wall and makes use of the second person. It's rarely done in modern lit, and it's always disconcerting to me. We were all there, supposedly, but I have no memory of it. It's a strange blending of realities.
After the wake and funeral have concluded, we catch up with our friend Hob Gadling. He has found new love and still does not desire death, even though he knows Morhpeus is dead. He is an interesting character. I like him. I like the fact that when he falls asleep he dreams that Dream and Destruction walk with him on a beach. When his girlfriend asks him how the story ends, he says, "Well, there's only one way to end a story, really." I love the contrasting worldviews here. Amidst this great tragedy, someone random tells us the only way to end a story is happily. It's my kind of worldview for sure.
Gadling's story is followed by a weird Chinese one that seems to have happened in the past, but I think Daniel is the Dream rather than Morpheus. You can't really tell from the artwork, but at one point it says, "Flames flicker in the whiteness of his robe," and that sounds like Daniel to me rather than Morpheus. Besides, Daniel gives the man an open invitation, which does not seem like something Morpheus would do. Once rejected, Morpheus seems to be incapable of renewing the offer. Daniel is much more human, as one of the introductions pointed out (not this one because I haven't read it). I think though, that the ability to retain one's humanity once you become a god might diminish with age. Death is very cool, but not everyone can have her upbeat personality. Definitely most people would be jaded by immortality. I think even my boyfriend, but who knows.
The final story returns to Shakespeare, and it is about the writing of The Tempest rather than A Midsummer Night's Dream. We meet Judith and Anne. Anne is horrible, but at one point Judith points out that she was really heartbroken when her husband left for London. She at least allows him to sleep in his house and see his daughter. It is, perhaps, more than I could have done. I can't harbor ill will towards her. Shakespeare is a little whiny in this piece, and I wonder what critics have made of that. He is very concerned with his afterlife in a way that upsets me a little. I guess one of the coolest things about Shakespeare is that we know so damned little about him. We can make him whatever we like. There is also some amazing hubris in the idea that Gaiman's Morpheus inspires Shakespeare. Shakespeare admits to borrowing tales and speeches. Isn't that enough?
I am keenly aware now of the fact that I have finished the series. I felt like I had finished it with Worlds' End. By the time, I got to The Kindly Ones, I had already accepted Dream's death. Now, I feel like I have mourned him and am ready for a new distraction/fascination. As far as book exchanges go though, this one was way more my thing than Stephen King's Dark Tower series, although I enjoyed that too in my own way. I find more and more that reading is a way for me to get through hard times. I know I am probably escaping rather than dealing, but I don't see a need to fight every battle. Lonliness and disappointment need not be thought about so much; there isn't really much one can do about them anyway. Lesson planning is necessary, however, and I must think on that now. :) Blessed with work and blessed with children. That I am.
I forgot to mention that in this book we figure out who Dream has been brooding over! It's Thessaly/Larissa the witch!!! I hate to sound gossipy (kind of), but I just can't believe she's his type. How could he ever be fooled into thinking she had a heart? Okay, I'm done now.
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LibraryThing member gillis.sarah
A good conclusion to a stellar series.
LibraryThing member stipe168
Finale of this wonderful, powerful, emotional, epic, fantasmagorical series.
LibraryThing member Zoes_Human
This volume contains my favorite art of the series but my least favorite stories. Which is not to say they are bad stories, it is merely that this is a volume intended to wrap up loose threads and reads as such. Nevertheless, even when 'sweeping up', Gaiman is an exemplary storyteller.
LibraryThing member VikkiLaw
My favorite book in the series. I'm so sad it's over.
LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
In this book, we find the Endless mourning the loss of one their own, Dream. I have not read the previous story, so I really don't know why Dream is dead. But, like all Incarnations, Dream is reborn, just different.
I liked this book. It is sad, happy, hopeful, angry, full of emotions all at the
As always the story sits just at the edge of understanding - The art in this book is fabulous. My only suggestion is maybe read the previous novel first. It is a bit disjointed without knowing what happened.
I liked this book. It is sad, happy, hopeful, angry, full of emotions all at the
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same time. We see all of Dreams brothers and sisters. And, they react in different ways.As always the story sits just at the edge of understanding - The art in this book is fabulous. My only suggestion is maybe read the previous novel first. It is a bit disjointed without knowing what happened.
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LibraryThing member zot79
This didn't excite me. The story sort of shambled along and never quite got anywhere. Dream is dead, long live Dream. Is he dead? How can an idea die? Is he alive? Or is this really a new embodiment? Where did he come from? This is a book of transitions that don't transition. It seems to dilute the
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ending of the previous book and doesn't quite launch anything new. Skippable, unless you're a crazy fan of the rest of the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member TobinElliott
The first part of this, the actual wake, was excellent.
I also enjoyed the Hob story.
It was the Shakespeare one at the very end. I understood why it was there, and I also understood the point it made between Shakespeare's The Tempest and Sandman himself, but I felt, for whatever reason, that the
A minor quibble. I'd say it's a fine end to the series, but with two more collections on my bookshelf waiting to be read, I'll hold off on that judgement.
I also enjoyed the Hob story.
It was the Shakespeare one at the very end. I understood why it was there, and I also understood the point it made between Shakespeare's The Tempest and Sandman himself, but I felt, for whatever reason, that the
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order was slightly misplaced.A minor quibble. I'd say it's a fine end to the series, but with two more collections on my bookshelf waiting to be read, I'll hold off on that judgement.
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LibraryThing member PDCRead
The tenth in the Sandman series is a conclusion of what went before. One of the Endless, Morpheus, has ceased to be, and there is to be a gathering of his family, dreamers and other mourners to commemorate his life. As preparations for the funeral begin, Daniel Hall, who has become the new Sandman,
The mourners are an eclectic bunch, mot only are there the family, but there are a smattering of superhero’s and characters that have appeared in many previous episodes have come to pay their last respects. His family choose to speak at the funeral, and the last to speak is his sister Death. Their eulogies acknowledge his place in the other world and speak of his uniqueness.
The is a short story about an adviser to the Emperor of China, he is exiled because of his sons political alignments, but his life is spared after showing that he can care. It concludes with The Tempest, a deal had been reached between Morpheus and William Shakespeare long ago, and this is a fitting conclusion to it.
Whilst this was still classic Sandman, it didn’t seem to have the flow and continuity of the earlier books, feeling a bit disjointed and like it was stories dragged from hither and thither. That said it was still and enjoyable read with excellent artwork and the dark edgy storyline.
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meets with Morpheus’s family. He has already started to look like the previous Dream.The mourners are an eclectic bunch, mot only are there the family, but there are a smattering of superhero’s and characters that have appeared in many previous episodes have come to pay their last respects. His family choose to speak at the funeral, and the last to speak is his sister Death. Their eulogies acknowledge his place in the other world and speak of his uniqueness.
The is a short story about an adviser to the Emperor of China, he is exiled because of his sons political alignments, but his life is spared after showing that he can care. It concludes with The Tempest, a deal had been reached between Morpheus and William Shakespeare long ago, and this is a fitting conclusion to it.
Whilst this was still classic Sandman, it didn’t seem to have the flow and continuity of the earlier books, feeling a bit disjointed and like it was stories dragged from hither and thither. That said it was still and enjoyable read with excellent artwork and the dark edgy storyline.
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LibraryThing member BenKline
A good 'ending' piece to The Sandman works (though there is volumes 11 and 12, according to the back cover). 'The Wake' - like real wakes and funerals and memorials and viewings - was a bittersweet reviewing of the works of Sandman, with the future of Dream. Not Morpheus. Not Sandman, but Dream the
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Endless' future. The recapping of the lives of the secondary characters (Gadling, Rose, Lyta, Shakespeare, etc.) was a good way of making a Wake more than about just the person who died, but about those who were touched BY the person who died. Which is the true testament and legacy of a person (or character). How they touched the lives of others, how they bettered them, and things don't have to be optimistic, or hopeful, but that they continue, even with the death of the person/character, life continues for the rest of us, to be touched by others lives/characters and to learn from them, and to go to more funerals and wakes, and to some day have people go to our funeral and wake and recall how they were touched by our lives. Show Less
LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
The final volume of The Sandman (not counting the self-contained, limited stories), in which Neil Gaiman and his readers say goodbye to Morpheus, the Lord of the Dreaming. The first part of the story resolves the events from the previous volume, The Kindly Ones, after which Gaiman presents three
The Sandman series is nothing short of modern mythology writ large and exemplifies everything to which the comics medium aspires. Its thematic range and Gaiman's unique voice ensure that it will remain a staple of graphic storytelling for years to come. It deserves to be mentioned in the same awed tones as Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Jack Kirby's work.
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self-contained stories, one about Hob Gadling and another William Shakespeare. The Wake is a satisfying conclusion to the regular Sandman series while leaving enough in play that Gaiman could return if he chose to revisit this world.The Sandman series is nothing short of modern mythology writ large and exemplifies everything to which the comics medium aspires. Its thematic range and Gaiman's unique voice ensure that it will remain a staple of graphic storytelling for years to come. It deserves to be mentioned in the same awed tones as Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, and Jack Kirby's work.
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LibraryThing member lydiasbooks
It was interesting but I didn't like it enough to go on to read the rest of the series. This may well be due to the medium of the graphic novel, rather than Gaiman's skill as an author.