Neil Gaiman's 'Instructions': Advice for the young at heart

Trawling through the children’s and teen’s section at any bookstore, the trend seems to be clear as to what the kids like these days: death. Read the first pages of a couple books or even just look at the covers and it becomes apparent that it isn’t so much “once-upon-a-time” than it is about what comes next after “The End.” But one can counter that that’s always been a staple of the genre: that the popularity of fantasy, the dominant mode these days, lies in how it offers comfort for the inevitable. After all, the body count in fairy-tales has never been slight. These “never-never lands” were never as safe as we thought them to be.

Best-selling author and Manila favorite Neil Gaiman collaborates again with his Stardust illustrator Charles Vess for a picture book that offers guidance to those who enter these realms, who leaf through their pages at their own peril. The title of the book, Instructions, should make its content (and intent) obvious enough. To anyone familiar with his writing, Gaiman obviously has read enough of the stuff to be considered an expert on the genre’s tropes, its enduring themes and devices. Also, like his previous work, it isn’t only aimed at children or those big enough to decide to remain children forever — but toward those grown-ups who are literate and have enjoyed these kinds of stories since they were children.

To be honest, I didn’t get it the first or even the second time I read it. (It took me about three minutes each time.) I kept looking for the underlying metaphor underneath the words. Surely, this wasn’t to be just taken literally. After all, when the text reads “A red metal imp hangs from the green-painted/front door, /as a knocker, /do not touch it; it will bite your fingers” or, coming upon a castle, “Inside it are/ three princesses. /Do not trust/the youngest. /Walk on,” there must be some wisdom to be gleaned from these cryptic words. Of course, any child can read it and enjoy the wonders talked about (as well as Vess’s excellent drawings) at face value. They would not be wrong in doing so. For those like me who, unlike Peter Pan, have grown up and are older — also a bit grayer — it’s never that simple anymore and we’re the poorer for it.

But, as stated earlier, Gaiman has treats for those who persevere and look for them. He totally believes in these stories and accepts their truths. “Trust your heart, and trust your story,” he writes. Though those words might seem trite in the context of a review in this paper, they are poignant in the pages of this magical book. Fear not danger: travel with abandon.

* * *

Available at Fully Booked.