I actually started reading The Sandman when I was 12 too. I enjoyed it, but then again I am rather sick-minded. If you do read it (and it you should, it's an amazing piece of storytelling) watch out for the issue with Dr.D.
I think the Sandman comics are more graphic then the books, but thats probably becouse it includes pictures but it's no worse then anything you'll ever see in a Horrer movie. Except for the fact that Sandman actually has a story behind the blood and sex, which really doesn't occur that much.
And for the record, calling something a GRAPHIC Novel doesn't mean its extremely violent. The Graphic part of graphic novels refers to the pictures.

Hmm...well I am 15 years old, and I've been reading Neil Gaiman for a couple years. I think his books are great for young teenagers with an imagination. Especially Coraline and Neverwhere. Some of his adult books may have a couple things that are *slightly* inappropriate, but think of all the things we see on tv, or movies, or the news, everyday! I think all teenagers should read Neil's books, it will help them to open their minds and stretch their imaginations and creativity when we're stuck in this world full of so much pressure and stress.
Just my thoughts. Reading Coraline was one of the best things I ever did, because it led me to read his other books and now I've fallen in love.

i'm 14, eh? and i read american gods at the age of 11. age doesn't really have that much to do with what is appropriate for you. it's all to do with maturity level.

wait... maybe i was 12 when i read it... ? eh... still... when it comes to the sandman graphic novels... the "24 hours" part is a bit disturbing i suppose. they are subversive, eh? but that does not mean they are bad.

I´m 19 but I hope once I will have children and they will be smart, clever and they will LOVE BOOKS. (My brother is 15 and is reading his first book, he´s the computer-kid) So I want to "help" them and my plan is to read them Coraline and Stardust sooner then they´ll be 10.

Funny plans, aren´t they? Wondering what my wife would think of it and if they will come true

Jessica, what the above poster mentioned about maturity level is spot on.

I order all the books for my library's young adult section, and after much deliberation, put Sandman in the adult section, simply because there are some innappropriate parts for the majority of the younger teens. Notably the bits with Calliope in the beginning of the series and the Dr. D parts as others have mentioned. Most young teens are just not ready for that. But the minority (you guys) probably already know that.

Out of curiousity, how did y'all come across his books? Friends? Browsing at the bookstore/library?

I joined this board when I was twelve. If you have any amount of realistic maturity (as in being able to tell fiction from reality) then I don't think there is any problem with reading Neil's stuff.

quote:

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Originally posted by Jessica13:
You know what, I think it was a mistake to post this since everyone seems amused by it. I will ask someone else if they have read Neil Gaiman books. -Jessica13

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amused by you? I wish more people your age read books like that. I don't personally lilke Coraline but the fatc you're reading Neils books is cool with me...

heh- coincidences never fail to abound my surroundings..escially when concernig Neil.. two years ago-btw i'm turning 16 soon- clumsily, i bumped into the school library shelf eager to occupy myself with something spontaneous and diliberately disobey my teacher who told me to stay in class, at the same time. anyway, the book that just so happened to literally fall on my feet was Neverwhere...
*i didn't snuggle it back in that claustrophic environment it yearned to discard.. to say that i simply read the novel would be an injustice.. i engaged..i absorbed.. and that is one of the characteristics that tremendously distinguishes Neil among writings not only in but also beyond his genre.
after neverwhere..i was addicted to his many other renderings..not one has ever been disastrous..

-the sandman comics are magnificent- unnecessary to mention.. 'just felt like it.. you all know..

There's nothing in the books that your mother should be worried about being harmful to your psyche if that's what you're asking. If she's particularly concerned perhaps she should skim a couple herself, but then you might end up fighting her over book time.

They're fairy tales, all of them. People used to read Grimm's Fairy tales to kids a looong time ago, and those are some disturbing stories. I've never read anything Neil has written that I thought was disturbing or too graphic, mostly thought provoking...and I'm going to leave it at that.

I think you are very brave for asking an honest question in what seems to be a well established community of people, keep it up.

i'm 14 and have read american gods, neverwhere, coraline, stardust, good omens, the books of magic, and sandman up through sean of mists. my parents have no objection to me reading his books, although after my dad read the scene with the queen of sheba at the beginning of american gods, he did tell to just not let my mom see what i was reading
so far, i think american gods is more graphic then sandman, with the sex and f words throughout, but i haven't read all of sandman either.
i think if your mom could look past the "inapporpriate" parts of neil's books and focus on the stories, and how good they really are, she may change her mind, but that's just my opinion.
anyway, good luck on your persuasive efforts.
-kate

yeah, the queen of sheba bit in american gods was a bit diturbing, but nothing that will permanently damage a teenager's psyche, i think. i wish my 12 yr old sister would read more books like neil gaiman. im afraid shes still stuck in baby sitters club and sweet valley twinswastherename...

I'm 18 and I started reading Neil's books when I was about your age... I'd like to think of Neil's work as very very good storytelling. And if you Jessica, is a fan of stories, I think it's cool that you read Gaiman. The truth is if one day you'd like to be an accomplsihed writer, it would probably make a good foundation having been able to read many of his works. So keep on readin 'em books!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Crimson_rue,

See, the thing is is that you'll find out about things like sex and violence at one point or another anyway. If it's going to happen (and it will), at least you're finding out from someone intelligent and sensitive, who can write it all beautifully.

Really? When people saw me in book stores reading Sandman in seventh grade they usually seemed happy that someone was reading them at all, especially a young female. I have never gotten the reaction that I oughtent read them, and it is really none of their business what other people read. Also interesting seeing as Coraline is a childrens' book...

I wouldn't necesarily recomend American Gods to people in middle school, many aren't mature enough to cope, but if they are then people should be happy. I have known kindergardeners (and was one) whos favorite book was the Lord of the Rings.

i'm 13 and ive read american gods, coraline, neverwhere, and anansi boys, and they're all great. would i let someone my age read them? no. but the reader is to judge, not the parent, in my oh so humble opinion. and, i mean, it's not like im any more fucked up no than i was before i started reding his stuff. there was nothing new to me, i'vee always read *explicit* manga, and, by the way, so do many of my friends. but to others, it could be new territory, and impact them more than it did me.