Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Titan Books Ltd (1994), Paperback, 256 pages
Description
Older and more powerful than the gods themselves, the Endless are a dysfunctional family of cosmic beings that have ruled over the realms of dream, desire, despair, destiny, destruction, death and delirium since the beginning of time. But three hundred years ago, one of the mythical beings gave up his duties and left his realm, never to be seen again. BRIEF LIVES tells the tales of Delirium and older brother Dream on a mission to find their missing sibling, as they encounter immortal humans and various deities while trying to locate the prodigal Destruction. But as their adventure draws Dream into a final, tragic confrontation with his son Orpheus, the eternal being learns the true meaning of fate and consequences.
User reviews
LibraryThing member GingerbreadMan
Some three hundred years ago, Destruction of the Endless decided to leave his realm. Since then, humanity has unknowingly been in charge of their own destruction/construction (and doing just fine with it), and the rest of the family has respected his wishes of privacy. Now however, the loony kid
This is my favorite of the whole series, I think. The pieces regarding the Endless as a dysfunctional metafamily really start to fall into place and I revel in getting to know more of the other siblings’ realms and personalities. Despair, so tender in her quietly brutal way, is a big favorite of mine. But what really makes this book special is the dynamic between pompous, stern Dream and his sister Delirium. She’s floopy and corny and funny, but underneath it all so broken and dark, it just breaks your heart. And while the artwork is fine throughout this book, it’s really in the rendition of Delirium that Jill Thompson excels, giving her a body language and an everchanging look that really helps define this character.
The quest is also full of Gaiman’s special brand of urban fantasy: Ishtar in a strip joint, a weird glimpse of Sami mythology, the ongoing fate of Orpheus and the late days of Egyptian Cat goddess Bast. My favorite part of this whole book is probably the beginning of chapter three, where Gaiman tilts the world and gives us a backdoor perspective on a miracle by saying that there are ”no more than about seventy people left on earth who still remember the dinosaurs”. He also intoduces a few more lovely characters to the large cast of this series – Barnabas the dog and Merv the bigmouthed pumpkin most notably.
This is a perfect blend of adventure, violence (quite a bit of it in this one, mostly in text though), humor, myth and philosophy. And without stressing it at all, this volume is central to the overall arc of the series in a way that won’t be apparent until volume ten is finished. (How sneaky is that one panel flash forward!?) I haven’t used the word masterpiece yet in my reread of these books. I will now.
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sister Delirium has got it in her head that finding him might make everything better. After asking several of her siblings she comes to Dream, even though he scares her a bit. And Dream, presently spending his time getting over another ended love story by standing in the rain a lot, accepts to join her on her quest to find Destruction as a way of getting his mind off things. He has no intention of actually finding their lost brother. But in the end, not only does he do so, but has to make some rather crucial choices in the process.This is my favorite of the whole series, I think. The pieces regarding the Endless as a dysfunctional metafamily really start to fall into place and I revel in getting to know more of the other siblings’ realms and personalities. Despair, so tender in her quietly brutal way, is a big favorite of mine. But what really makes this book special is the dynamic between pompous, stern Dream and his sister Delirium. She’s floopy and corny and funny, but underneath it all so broken and dark, it just breaks your heart. And while the artwork is fine throughout this book, it’s really in the rendition of Delirium that Jill Thompson excels, giving her a body language and an everchanging look that really helps define this character.
The quest is also full of Gaiman’s special brand of urban fantasy: Ishtar in a strip joint, a weird glimpse of Sami mythology, the ongoing fate of Orpheus and the late days of Egyptian Cat goddess Bast. My favorite part of this whole book is probably the beginning of chapter three, where Gaiman tilts the world and gives us a backdoor perspective on a miracle by saying that there are ”no more than about seventy people left on earth who still remember the dinosaurs”. He also intoduces a few more lovely characters to the large cast of this series – Barnabas the dog and Merv the bigmouthed pumpkin most notably.
This is a perfect blend of adventure, violence (quite a bit of it in this one, mostly in text though), humor, myth and philosophy. And without stressing it at all, this volume is central to the overall arc of the series in a way that won’t be apparent until volume ten is finished. (How sneaky is that one panel flash forward!?) I haven’t used the word masterpiece yet in my reread of these books. I will now.
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LibraryThing member xicanti
Dream and Delirium go in search of Destruction.
Every time I finish a Sandman volume, I think, "Wow. Okay. That one was definitely my favourite."
Then I finish the next one in line, and I'm convinced that that one is definitely my favourite.
But you know what? I'm a liar. No matter what I try and tell
(At least, it is until I've finished The Kindly Ones. I think. Maybe).
What don't I love about it? I adore the writing, of course. The art is lovely. The lettering continues to be a hidden treat. And the story! My god, is this ever a good story!
I love the contrast between Dream and Delirium. I know she doesn't like people laughing at her, but so much of the back and forth between them makes me giggle. She's adorable and funny and utterly tragic. He's stern and grim, and despite Delirium's belief to the contrary I really do think he treats even her most random mumblings very seriously. They're complete opposites. He's tall, she's short. He's black and white, she's a riot of colour. He's collected, she's scattered. They compliment each other very well.
And Destruction... well. He's spent the past three hundred years creating things, even though he's shite at it. (Assuming, of course, that his marvelously snarky talking dog can be believed). And even though he's abandoned his function, the story proves that he can't entirely be rid of it.
The book comes together just beautifully. Every piece slots into place with an almost audible click. It's absolutely wonderful. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I suppose you could read this as a stand-alone, but I really don't see why you' d want to. It's so much better when you've had the build-up, when you've spent six books wondering just what went down with Destruction, when you've watched Dream change in the aftermath of his captivity. I'm sure it's not a perfect book, but I'd be hard-pressed to tell you what its faults are. It's the sort of reading I hope and pray for.
Every time I finish a Sandman volume, I think, "Wow. Okay. That one was definitely my favourite."
Then I finish the next one in line, and I'm convinced that that one is definitely my favourite.
But you know what? I'm a liar. No matter what I try and tell
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you, Brief Lives has absolutely got to be my favourite volume in this huge, detailed, utterly engrossing story.(At least, it is until I've finished The Kindly Ones. I think. Maybe).
What don't I love about it? I adore the writing, of course. The art is lovely. The lettering continues to be a hidden treat. And the story! My god, is this ever a good story!
I love the contrast between Dream and Delirium. I know she doesn't like people laughing at her, but so much of the back and forth between them makes me giggle. She's adorable and funny and utterly tragic. He's stern and grim, and despite Delirium's belief to the contrary I really do think he treats even her most random mumblings very seriously. They're complete opposites. He's tall, she's short. He's black and white, she's a riot of colour. He's collected, she's scattered. They compliment each other very well.
And Destruction... well. He's spent the past three hundred years creating things, even though he's shite at it. (Assuming, of course, that his marvelously snarky talking dog can be believed). And even though he's abandoned his function, the story proves that he can't entirely be rid of it.
The book comes together just beautifully. Every piece slots into place with an almost audible click. It's absolutely wonderful. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I suppose you could read this as a stand-alone, but I really don't see why you' d want to. It's so much better when you've had the build-up, when you've spent six books wondering just what went down with Destruction, when you've watched Dream change in the aftermath of his captivity. I'm sure it's not a perfect book, but I'd be hard-pressed to tell you what its faults are. It's the sort of reading I hope and pray for.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
I know I am sounding like a broken record as I read through this series, raving as I do after each one, but truly, The Sandman Vol 7: Brief Lives is something special. The book tells one story, and what a story. This is a comprehensive look at the dysfunctional family of the Endless as youngest
My chief delight in this book was the character of Delirium. She brought to mind a hyper-active three year old with every thought that goes through her head popping out of her mouth. She is charming, humorous and I imagine rather tiring to be around after a while. And although her thoughts are scattered and seemingly random, every now and again she utters a simple truth with clarity and depth. She was the perfect foil to Dream with her spontaneity and child like wonder against his controlled quietness.
From rundown strip clubs to ancient Greek temples, this story carries you along and all the while you are absorbing Gaiman’s philosophy on life, change and the gods that we hold above all. I have noticed in his work a recurring theme on these patterns of life and what happens to gods when they are no longer needed. Is immortality actually for forever or does it fade in the wake of non-belief.
The Sandman Vol. 7: Brief Lives is quite simply a masterpiece and I can’t even begin to imagine what will follow. But I definitely have my fingers crossed for more Delirium and more Barnabas, another favorite character from this volume.
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sister, Delirium, approaches her siblings to find someone to accompany her in a search for their missing brother, Destruction. This brother opted to drop out of the family and his responsibilities over 300 years ago. Dream is the only sibling to agree to accompany her. He goes not because he wants to find Destruction, but simply to take his mind off a failed love affair. My chief delight in this book was the character of Delirium. She brought to mind a hyper-active three year old with every thought that goes through her head popping out of her mouth. She is charming, humorous and I imagine rather tiring to be around after a while. And although her thoughts are scattered and seemingly random, every now and again she utters a simple truth with clarity and depth. She was the perfect foil to Dream with her spontaneity and child like wonder against his controlled quietness.
From rundown strip clubs to ancient Greek temples, this story carries you along and all the while you are absorbing Gaiman’s philosophy on life, change and the gods that we hold above all. I have noticed in his work a recurring theme on these patterns of life and what happens to gods when they are no longer needed. Is immortality actually for forever or does it fade in the wake of non-belief.
The Sandman Vol. 7: Brief Lives is quite simply a masterpiece and I can’t even begin to imagine what will follow. But I definitely have my fingers crossed for more Delirium and more Barnabas, another favorite character from this volume.
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LibraryThing member Terpsichoreus
As this collection deals exclusively with the interaction of Gaiman's inhuman 'endless', the reader must come to terms with the fact that Gaiman has too little madness to write them. Delirium is particularly disappointing as her randomness becomes more and more predictable. Dream himself still
However, Gaiman is still a strong and mystical storyteller who draws from many sources. It is unfortunate that he tried to tackle such bizarre and complex characters without Blake's chemical madness to spur him on; but then again, any author with sufficient talent and drive will not be comprehended, and especially not by their most rabid fans (how telling is it that we require a qualifier for 'fanatic').
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comes off as your standard Gaiman protagonist, though Gaiman keeps using secondary characters to try to make us understand what amazing psychological changes he has undergone. It is almost the opposite of Chekhov, where we see the action and the emotional reaction is described to us.However, Gaiman is still a strong and mystical storyteller who draws from many sources. It is unfortunate that he tried to tackle such bizarre and complex characters without Blake's chemical madness to spur him on; but then again, any author with sufficient talent and drive will not be comprehended, and especially not by their most rabid fans (how telling is it that we require a qualifier for 'fanatic').
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LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the seventh graphic novel in Gaiman's Sandman series. The Sandman series is 10 graphic novels in length. This was a wonderful book. Absolutely loved the story and enjoyed the illustrations.
In the seventh graphic novel in the Sandman series Morpheus's sister Delirium wants to go searching
If you are a Sandman fan then you will read this and love it. If you aren't well then you should start reading these graphic novels because they are awesome. The plotlines are creative and interesting as well as engaging. Sometimes the story gets a little bit ambiguous, but that just makes it more interesting. There is always a little black humor in these; especially in this book where Delirium likes to chat about whatever strikes her fancy. Of course the storyline always touches on deeper topics like the meaning of life, the origin of life, and the definition of gods.
I really enjoyed this installment of the Sandman series and look forward to reading the next novel.
In the seventh graphic novel in the Sandman series Morpheus's sister Delirium wants to go searching
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for her brother Destruction. After Desire and Despair refuse to help her she turns to Morpheus for help. Morpheus has just been abandoned by his girlfriend and is depressed and as such agrees to travel with Delirium in search of their brother Destruction. There travels take them to visit a number of long-lived humans and a few forgotten gods.If you are a Sandman fan then you will read this and love it. If you aren't well then you should start reading these graphic novels because they are awesome. The plotlines are creative and interesting as well as engaging. Sometimes the story gets a little bit ambiguous, but that just makes it more interesting. There is always a little black humor in these; especially in this book where Delirium likes to chat about whatever strikes her fancy. Of course the storyline always touches on deeper topics like the meaning of life, the origin of life, and the definition of gods.
I really enjoyed this installment of the Sandman series and look forward to reading the next novel.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
This is a great volume in the Sandman Series. We get Delirium, younger system to Dream, needing to find their missing brother, Destruction. I Loved this volume, Delirium is my favorite of the Eternals.
LibraryThing member heidilove
there is something ultimately literary about these works, and they ought be read as chapters in the new mythology.
LibraryThing member hailelib
Brief Lives has a more connected story than some of the other volumes, being the story of Dream accompanying Delirium while she searches for their brother Destruction. We meet some interesting characters along the way and find that the world has been changing with some adapting to the changes and
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others trying to keep things as they were. I generally liked the art in this volume better than several of the previous ones. Show Less
LibraryThing member Anniik
This volume was wonderful. Much better than the last - much more of the Endless too. These books are always best when they have plenty of the Endless in them. Delirium annoyed me a little, but her interactions with Dream were priceless. The message of this volume was also something that really got
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you thinking. Very enjoyable! Show Less
LibraryThing member scote23
I've been wondering about the missing Endless for a while and my questions were finally answered :)
LibraryThing member cromanelli927
SPOILERS AHEAD!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
These blogs are getting terribly long. I don't suppose that's the function of a blog. I better learn to keep it short! :) This is a problem with me with everything. I talk too much and I write too much! I'll try to keep this one shorter.
Wow! Sad! I really liked
The plot of this book is quite unified and quite simple. Delirium decides she needs a change, so she goes to ask her siblings if they will help her seek Destruction, the prodigal brother. Destiny and Desire flat out refuse. Despair refuses slightly more gently. Death manages somehow not to get involved (she does have a job to do), and Dream ends up being the only of the Endless who is willing at all to help Delirium. The quest is multifaceted. Dream needs to get out of his morose mood; another lover has left him in mourning for his humanity (he cannot keep a lover because no woman (or man) can compete with his sense of responsibility as a quasi-god). As the story progresses he is also seeking some closure to the deaths the beginning of the quest incurs. Again he feels beholden to the mortals he has hurt. Finally the quest brings him back to unfinished business with his son Orpheus who he abandoned earlier in life. Orpheus manages to barter his death (which he has been seeking for a thousand years) for information about where Destruction is. Delirium gains Destruction's dog, Barnabus, and Dream returns to his castle to brood over his son's death.
The story is very circular. It begins with Orpheus's guardian's cheerful acceptance and Dream's brooding, and it ends the same way. The highlight seems to be on the two different mindsets. When Dream returns to the Dreaming, he tells Lucien, "For the rest of today I will be retiring to my quarters. I do not wish to be disturbed." While he is dying, Andros muses, "It is going to be a beautiful day." Andros appreciates and accepts his brief life, while Dream has spent the majority of his (much less) brief life feeling sorry for himself. Dream is an interesting character. He always tries to do the right thing. Whenever one of his siblings tells him he has made a mistake, he sets off to correct it. But he never seems to get the point that the real joy comes from treating people (and gods or whatever) the right way the first time. I really like him. I like that he seems to have a sense of honor. When I said he behaves in a godlike fashion, I meant it. He definitely has a code of behavior that surpases that of the mortal world. It just doesn't seem to be enough, and it bothers me that even our gods are saddled with these eternal questions of responsibility to others versus responsibility to self, too much work versus too much play, the constant struggle for balance. Can't life be simple for anyone? It's very frustrating, but it must be a truth. I believe that truth comes from our representations. Truth does come to light with the creation of art. Sometimes though it doesn't make it any easier to swallow.
On a happier note, I adore Delirium. I don't know if she is my favorite character, but I really, really like her. She is so cute about her "milk chocolate people:" "Have you got any little milk chocolate people? About threee inches high? Men AND women? I'd like some of them filled with raspberry cream." And when she drives: "I'm good at this, aren't I? I'm really good. I knew I'd be good at driving. Bzuum. Bzuum. Dream? Look at me! Look at me driving!" And, probably most importantly, she accepts truth in a way that Dream cannot. When they finally find Destruction and he explains that he will not return to his realm and make things as they were before, she simply says, "I thought you would," and it's over. She doesn't beg and she doesn't plead. It's simple for her. Perhaps craziness does make things simple.
I'm finding it harder and harder to write frivilously about these books. Straub says, "If this isn't literature, nothing is," and he nails it. Of course, I am getting further and further from my "near instant reaction too." It's hard to find time to write AND read, but still, the themes are just too weighty. What started out simply has become a quagmire of great ideas, and I suppose that is what literature is: a quagmire of great ideas. Still, I must try (it is my passion after all).
These blogs are getting terribly long. I don't suppose that's the function of a blog. I better learn to keep it short! :) This is a problem with me with everything. I talk too much and I write too much! I'll try to keep this one shorter.
Wow! Sad! I really liked
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this book, but the ending was sad and the introduction (it came at the end--haha) was really, really sad. The conclusion Peter Straub gleans from the book is that the Endless "are merely mythic patterns, and as such do not have the authority to interfere in human lives." Having read so far ahead at this point, I have realized that is Brief Lives that sets up this simple fact as Dream's hamartia (not hubris--people are always getting these confused). Dream's whole existence is based on his responsibility, for the dreamworld, for the dreamers, for the dreams and nightmares. He justifies his actions according to the rules he has created or inherited and set up as his purpose in life. And in many ways he needs Delirium to show him this truth, both literally and figuratively. The character Delirium with her childlike innocence can ask questions and make statements that Dream's rather left brained mind cannot fathom. She tries to lead him to a greater freedom by leaving his beaten path. There is definitely something to be said about the fact that Dream apologizes to Delirium on at least two occassions in this book, but he never manages to apologize for what he needs to apologize for.The plot of this book is quite unified and quite simple. Delirium decides she needs a change, so she goes to ask her siblings if they will help her seek Destruction, the prodigal brother. Destiny and Desire flat out refuse. Despair refuses slightly more gently. Death manages somehow not to get involved (she does have a job to do), and Dream ends up being the only of the Endless who is willing at all to help Delirium. The quest is multifaceted. Dream needs to get out of his morose mood; another lover has left him in mourning for his humanity (he cannot keep a lover because no woman (or man) can compete with his sense of responsibility as a quasi-god). As the story progresses he is also seeking some closure to the deaths the beginning of the quest incurs. Again he feels beholden to the mortals he has hurt. Finally the quest brings him back to unfinished business with his son Orpheus who he abandoned earlier in life. Orpheus manages to barter his death (which he has been seeking for a thousand years) for information about where Destruction is. Delirium gains Destruction's dog, Barnabus, and Dream returns to his castle to brood over his son's death.
The story is very circular. It begins with Orpheus's guardian's cheerful acceptance and Dream's brooding, and it ends the same way. The highlight seems to be on the two different mindsets. When Dream returns to the Dreaming, he tells Lucien, "For the rest of today I will be retiring to my quarters. I do not wish to be disturbed." While he is dying, Andros muses, "It is going to be a beautiful day." Andros appreciates and accepts his brief life, while Dream has spent the majority of his (much less) brief life feeling sorry for himself. Dream is an interesting character. He always tries to do the right thing. Whenever one of his siblings tells him he has made a mistake, he sets off to correct it. But he never seems to get the point that the real joy comes from treating people (and gods or whatever) the right way the first time. I really like him. I like that he seems to have a sense of honor. When I said he behaves in a godlike fashion, I meant it. He definitely has a code of behavior that surpases that of the mortal world. It just doesn't seem to be enough, and it bothers me that even our gods are saddled with these eternal questions of responsibility to others versus responsibility to self, too much work versus too much play, the constant struggle for balance. Can't life be simple for anyone? It's very frustrating, but it must be a truth. I believe that truth comes from our representations. Truth does come to light with the creation of art. Sometimes though it doesn't make it any easier to swallow.
On a happier note, I adore Delirium. I don't know if she is my favorite character, but I really, really like her. She is so cute about her "milk chocolate people:" "Have you got any little milk chocolate people? About threee inches high? Men AND women? I'd like some of them filled with raspberry cream." And when she drives: "I'm good at this, aren't I? I'm really good. I knew I'd be good at driving. Bzuum. Bzuum. Dream? Look at me! Look at me driving!" And, probably most importantly, she accepts truth in a way that Dream cannot. When they finally find Destruction and he explains that he will not return to his realm and make things as they were before, she simply says, "I thought you would," and it's over. She doesn't beg and she doesn't plead. It's simple for her. Perhaps craziness does make things simple.
I'm finding it harder and harder to write frivilously about these books. Straub says, "If this isn't literature, nothing is," and he nails it. Of course, I am getting further and further from my "near instant reaction too." It's hard to find time to write AND read, but still, the themes are just too weighty. What started out simply has become a quagmire of great ideas, and I suppose that is what literature is: a quagmire of great ideas. Still, I must try (it is my passion after all).
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LibraryThing member theboylatham
Seven out of ten. CBR format.
Dream's erratic younger sister Delirium convinces him to help her search for their missing brother, the former Endless Destruction, who left his place among the "family" three hundred years before. However, their quest is marred by the death of all around them, and
Dream's erratic younger sister Delirium convinces him to help her search for their missing brother, the former Endless Destruction, who left his place among the "family" three hundred years before. However, their quest is marred by the death of all around them, and
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eventually Morpheus must turn to his son Orpheus to find the truth, and undo an ancient sin. Show Less
LibraryThing member Flore2938
This is my favorite in the sandman s so far. The entire series is proof of neil gaimans majesty, and in its self a masterpiece.
LibraryThing member StormRaven
After spending six volumes establishing the permanence and indispensability of the Endless, Gaiman reverses field in Brief Lives with a story that suggests that the Endless may not be necessary at all, and not being necessary, may not be eternal. The story itself takes the form of a travel tale,
[More forthcoming]
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with Dream and Delirium setting out on the road (literally) in search of their long lost brother Destruction.[More forthcoming]
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LibraryThing member deslni01
The best volume of the Sandman series yet brings Dream and his sister Delirium in search of their long lost brother Destruction. Destruction left the world of the Endless several hundred years ago to pursue his own life - ironically creating many things such as paintings, poems, sculptures and
Along the way, Delirium and Dream run into many old acquaintances of Destruction, and naturally certain things happen to them...unfortunately in the search for Destruction, one of the repercussions is destruction of his old friends.
Brief Lives is the most exciting and entertaining volume of the Sandman series thus far, shedding new light on his family and his development and growth. We see throughout the entire volume what strange musings Delirium has to offer, and perchance one of the most entertaining and likable characters thus far in the series in Destruction. His desire to create, combined with his sense of humor and his remarkably realistic laugh makes for an extremely likable character that won't be forgotten.
Aside from the advancements of the characters of Delirium and Dream (and Despair), one thing not only evident from the volume itself but through remarks of various other characters is Dream's development. Each makes a comment that Dream has changed - including his own son, Orpheus - and it is clear by the end of the volume that Dream feels the same way.
Gaiman does a wonderful job developing the Endless in Brief Lives, and has many remarkable comments about gods and dreams/destiny, including:
"I know how gods begin, Roger. We start as dreams. Then we walk out of dreams into the land. We are worshipped [sic] and loved, and take power to ourselves. And then one day there's no one left to worship us. And in the end, each little god and goddess takes its last journey back into dreams...and what comes after, not even we know." (ch. 5, page 20)
and
"...while you [dream] are prince of those symbols and shapes that mean other than they seem, of metaphor and of allusion, my [destiny] dominion is that which is, of actions and consequences and paths." (ch. 6, page 9)
All in all, Brief Lives provides the most in-depth, remarkable and fully entertaining volume of the Sandman series so far, with unique looks at various characters of the Endless and with excellent insights into the world of the Sandman - and our own world - by Neil Gaimain. Definitely not a volume to be missed.
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food.Along the way, Delirium and Dream run into many old acquaintances of Destruction, and naturally certain things happen to them...unfortunately in the search for Destruction, one of the repercussions is destruction of his old friends.
Brief Lives is the most exciting and entertaining volume of the Sandman series thus far, shedding new light on his family and his development and growth. We see throughout the entire volume what strange musings Delirium has to offer, and perchance one of the most entertaining and likable characters thus far in the series in Destruction. His desire to create, combined with his sense of humor and his remarkably realistic laugh makes for an extremely likable character that won't be forgotten.
Aside from the advancements of the characters of Delirium and Dream (and Despair), one thing not only evident from the volume itself but through remarks of various other characters is Dream's development. Each makes a comment that Dream has changed - including his own son, Orpheus - and it is clear by the end of the volume that Dream feels the same way.
Gaiman does a wonderful job developing the Endless in Brief Lives, and has many remarkable comments about gods and dreams/destiny, including:
"I know how gods begin, Roger. We start as dreams. Then we walk out of dreams into the land. We are worshipped [sic] and loved, and take power to ourselves. And then one day there's no one left to worship us. And in the end, each little god and goddess takes its last journey back into dreams...and what comes after, not even we know." (ch. 5, page 20)
and
"...while you [dream] are prince of those symbols and shapes that mean other than they seem, of metaphor and of allusion, my [destiny] dominion is that which is, of actions and consequences and paths." (ch. 6, page 9)
All in all, Brief Lives provides the most in-depth, remarkable and fully entertaining volume of the Sandman series so far, with unique looks at various characters of the Endless and with excellent insights into the world of the Sandman - and our own world - by Neil Gaimain. Definitely not a volume to be missed.
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LibraryThing member RogueBelle
Possibly my favourite of the Sandman series -- beautifully woven together, an engaging and exciting adventure story featuring the Endless at their best. This is certainly among the deepest and most intellectually exciting of the volumes. (Also, I heart Destruction. And Barnabas). Absolutely
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gorgeous work, all the way throught. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mary_Overton
The homeless woman asks, "Spare a little change, Love?" and crazy, pre-pubescent, sister Delirium of the Endless (she who when sane was the sweet, vulnerable Delight) responds, "Change. That was always kind of the problem, kind of ... um ... change, Change, CHANGE, change, chaaaange. When you says
Because Delirium can't bear the change that is the loss of brother Destruction, she and brother Dream go on a quest to recover him. They do find him, and it triggers irrevocable change. Destruction, whose realm it is to destroy the old so as to make room for the new, is the most unsettled of all about the change he rules. He says of the night sky, " I like the stars. It's the illusion of permanence, I think. I mean, they're always flaring up and caving in and going out. But from here, I can pretend ... I can pretend that things last. I can pretend that lives last longer than moments. Gods come, and gods go. Mortals flicker and flash and fade. Worlds don't last; and stars and galaxies are transient, fleeting things that twinkle like fireflies and vanish into cold and dust. But I can pretend." (ch 8, pg 12-13)
Brother Destiny says to Dream, "You are prince of those symbols and shapes that mean other than they seem, of metaphor and of allusion. My dominion is that which IS, of actions and consequences and paths." (ch 7, pg 9). But later Destruction sweeps aside the categories of Endless. He scoffs, "The Endless are merely patterns. The Endless are ideas. The Endless are wave functions. The Endless are repeating motifs. The Endless are echoes of darkness, and nothing more. We have no right to play with [mortal] lives, to order their dreams and their desires." (ch 8, pg 16)
Jung would say that the Endless are archetypes, and that Destruction's abdication is part of the process of assimilating unconscious content into consciousness. This process causes the Self (our "unit" of mortality) to grow in awareness, to become increasingly more integrated, so it is better able to function at its own discernment, rather than as the puppet of unconscious whims, drives, and/or obsessions.
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words a lot they don't mean anything or maybe they don't mean anything anyway and we just think they do ..." (ch I, pg 8) Because Delirium can't bear the change that is the loss of brother Destruction, she and brother Dream go on a quest to recover him. They do find him, and it triggers irrevocable change. Destruction, whose realm it is to destroy the old so as to make room for the new, is the most unsettled of all about the change he rules. He says of the night sky, " I like the stars. It's the illusion of permanence, I think. I mean, they're always flaring up and caving in and going out. But from here, I can pretend ... I can pretend that things last. I can pretend that lives last longer than moments. Gods come, and gods go. Mortals flicker and flash and fade. Worlds don't last; and stars and galaxies are transient, fleeting things that twinkle like fireflies and vanish into cold and dust. But I can pretend." (ch 8, pg 12-13)
Brother Destiny says to Dream, "You are prince of those symbols and shapes that mean other than they seem, of metaphor and of allusion. My dominion is that which IS, of actions and consequences and paths." (ch 7, pg 9). But later Destruction sweeps aside the categories of Endless. He scoffs, "The Endless are merely patterns. The Endless are ideas. The Endless are wave functions. The Endless are repeating motifs. The Endless are echoes of darkness, and nothing more. We have no right to play with [mortal] lives, to order their dreams and their desires." (ch 8, pg 16)
Jung would say that the Endless are archetypes, and that Destruction's abdication is part of the process of assimilating unconscious content into consciousness. This process causes the Self (our "unit" of mortality) to grow in awareness, to become increasingly more integrated, so it is better able to function at its own discernment, rather than as the puppet of unconscious whims, drives, and/or obsessions.
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LibraryThing member stipe168
as beautifully unworldly as all the others. read them in order and learn why this is one of the greatest epics ever written. a quest for a missing brother, a journey of strange people in a strange land.
LibraryThing member ragwaine
Good flowing beginning but not really any climax. No action. Wittier than the others. Bad handling of Orpheus.
LibraryThing member -Eva-
In which Morpheus, the Dream King, the Sandman, is suffering from heartache and gives in to Delirium's request that he joins her in the search for their missing brother, Destruction. This is truly one of my favorite installments in the series (and I know I say this of all of them), not just because
Although sad, it's also quite lovely to see the change in Dream when it comes to his relationship with his son, especially considering what happened after Orpheus' wedding (before Dream's incarceration), described in the series installment directly preceding this one. This installment does read a little bit like the beginning of the end, with Destruction's departure and Dream's being almost willing to contemplate an alternative to himself, although I can't say if I thought so when I first read it, or if it's because I already know what is to come. Fantastic installment, though, with many mythological strands and loads of great jokes.
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it's a fairly straight-forward quest-story and because we get to see so much of the Endless' separate domains, but because it is one of the funniest of them and has my favorite characters in it, foremost of whom is Barnabas, Destruction's sarcastic and funny and utterly wonderful canine companion ("Hey Schmuck, Devotion you've got. Perjury isn't in the job description.").Although sad, it's also quite lovely to see the change in Dream when it comes to his relationship with his son, especially considering what happened after Orpheus' wedding (before Dream's incarceration), described in the series installment directly preceding this one. This installment does read a little bit like the beginning of the end, with Destruction's departure and Dream's being almost willing to contemplate an alternative to himself, although I can't say if I thought so when I first read it, or if it's because I already know what is to come. Fantastic installment, though, with many mythological strands and loads of great jokes.
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LibraryThing member sammii507
This volume was wonderful. Much better than the last - much more of the Endless too. These books are always best when they have plenty of the Endless in them. Delirium annoyed me a little, but her interactions with Dream were priceless. The message of this volume was also something that really got
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you thinking. Very enjoyable! Show Less
LibraryThing member Crowyhead
This is my absolute favorite Sandman story arc. Dream is very human in this storyline. The story begins with him moping spectacularly, having been dumped by his latest lover: rain pours down as he stands dramatically on his balcony, while his servants and assistants discuss the best ways to stay
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out of his way until he's worked out his bad mood. A visit from Dream's sister, Delerium, serves to partially snap Dream out of his funk, and he joins her on a quest to find their prodigal brother, Destruction. Even this already complex task is going to be more complicated than anyone realizes, however, and the outcome will cement Dream's destruction. Show Less
LibraryThing member AaronPt
'Brief Lives' has the most straightforward plot of any volume in the Sandman series so far. It is essentially a road trip story with Dream and Delirium travelling together in search of their estranged brother. Its simplicity makes it engaging and very readable. We spend less time exploring the
In keeping with the more straightforward story, we return to a single team of artists in this volume. The artwork in this volume is stunning and there are pages that are absolutely breathtaking. The book as a whole is beautiful and life-affirming, and is one of the best additions to the series.
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myths and dreams of others and more exploring the mythos of the Sandman universe. Yet for all that, Gaiman still revels in the tangents and twists in the story. There are still the usual fascinating incidental characters who turn out in the end to be not as throwaway as they first seem. The focus is largely on what I imagine the majority of the Sandman's readers had been crying out for, more of The Endless. I was certainly delighted to spend more time with Dream's family, and was surprisingly attached to Delirium by the end of the volume.In keeping with the more straightforward story, we return to a single team of artists in this volume. The artwork in this volume is stunning and there are pages that are absolutely breathtaking. The book as a whole is beautiful and life-affirming, and is one of the best additions to the series.
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LibraryThing member Xirxe
It is the first Sandman series in which the Endless play the main role. Delirium, Dreams sister, longs for her brother Destruction, who has left the family of the Endless 300 years ago - no one knows where he is. After Desire and Despair refused helping delirium in her search, she turns to Dream,
I have to admit, that this Sandman series left me behind with mixed feelings. On the one hand it is a story that is unique to sense and serious thoughts about the uniqueness and finality of life in this form, on the other hand there are so many references to previous volumes, that I am constantly asked myself, what was happening before, who are these persons, don’t I know them, etc. Unfortunately, between my readings of each book there are longer periods and not all is still present, so I think my reading experience was significantly diminished. Otherwise, the drawings are awesome as always, with some of them are almost be described as paintings.
All in all, great reading material, but if possible, just read it in conjunction with the preceding books. And I, I have to read it again ;-)
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who will surprisingly stand by her. However due to selfish reasons: Just left from his beloved, he is hoping to think of other things and maybe, in secrete, to meet her once again ...I have to admit, that this Sandman series left me behind with mixed feelings. On the one hand it is a story that is unique to sense and serious thoughts about the uniqueness and finality of life in this form, on the other hand there are so many references to previous volumes, that I am constantly asked myself, what was happening before, who are these persons, don’t I know them, etc. Unfortunately, between my readings of each book there are longer periods and not all is still present, so I think my reading experience was significantly diminished. Otherwise, the drawings are awesome as always, with some of them are almost be described as paintings.
All in all, great reading material, but if possible, just read it in conjunction with the preceding books. And I, I have to read it again ;-)
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LibraryThing member adam.d.woodard
Great story arc in this volume. A great search and lots of really deep thoughts going on, especially at the end.
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1994-06-28
Physical description
256 p.; 10.08 inches
ISBN
1852865776 / 9781852865771