Unit 1.

About the author and his creation (Praise for Neil Gaiman)
“Gaiman’s is one of the most distinctive voices in modern fantasy.”
(Locus)

OPEN YOUR
MIND TO ONE OF
THE BRIGHTEST,
MOST
BRILLIANT
WRITERS OF OUR
GENERATION

‘His mind is a dark, fathomless ocean, and every time I sink into it, this world
fades, replaced by one far more terrible and beautiful in which I will happily drown’
New York Times Book Review.
‘One of the best fabulists of our age’ Financial Times.
‘He’s the master of fantasy and realism twisted together’ Hugo Rifkind, Spectator.
‘A very fine and imaginative writer’ The Sunday Times.
‘A rich imagination . . . and an ability to tackle large themes’ Philip Pullman.
‘Gaiman’s achievement is to make the fantasy world seem true’ The Times.
‘A power that defies explanation’ Sunday Express.
Slots perfectly into the canon of British magical fiction’ New Statesman.
‘Fantasy rooted in the darkest corners of reality’ Independent on Sunday.
‘Gaiman is a master of fear, and he understands the nature of fairytales’
A. S. Byatt, The Guardian.
1. Facts from biography. Watch a short video item about the correct
pronunciation and highlight the author’s reaction to misinterpreting. What is the proper
way to say “Neil Gaiman”?
 2. Use the KWL chart in pairs to find out: 1) what do you know about the person
under consideration? 2) what do you want to know about Neil Gaiman? 3) Have you
read any of his works? What was the key message in that book?
Read the abstract below from Encyclopedia Britannica to start your presentation
after exchanging ideas: Neil Gaiman, in full Neil Richard Gaiman, (born November
10, 1960, Portchester, Hampshire, England), British writer who earned critical praise
and popular success with richly imagined fantasy tales that frequently featured a
darkly humorous tone.
3. Find out the details about the author. Listen to the track about the life and
works of the most loved writer on the planet. Fill in the gaps with the words form
recording.
Childhood
He was born on November 10, 1960 in ______________, England, to David
Bernard Gaiman, a businessman and Sheila Gaiman, ______________. He has
______________ sisters, Claire and Lizzy.
His family __________________ town of East Grinstead in 1965 where his
parents studied ‘______________’ in the Scientology centre of the town.
He became an ______________ reader at the age of four. He also got the
school English prize and __________________ for his devoted interest in reading.
In his childhood, he was truly inspired by some of the fantasy novels such as
J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘__________________’, C. S. Lewis’s ‘The Chronicles of
______________’ and Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’.
He attended several schools in his childhood such as Fonthill School in East
Grinstead, Ardingly College and ________________ school from Whitgift School
in Croydon in ______________.
Career
In the early 1980s he became a journalist and started ________________ and
writing book reviews ______________ for British Fantasy Society. His first
professional short story, “_________________”, was published in 1984.
In 1984, he wrote a _________________ with Kim Newman,
‘______________ Belief’, which proved to be quite successful. He ended his career
as a journalist in 1987.
In 1987, he started his career in writing comic books and ______________
with his friend Dave McKean for his graphic novels such as ‘______________’,
‘Signal to Noise’ and ‘The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch’.
 Impressed by his
work, DC Comics hired
him to write a
______________
called ‘Black Orchid’
which was appreciated
by its fans. His next big
______________
included another comic
character ‘Sandman’
and ___________ to be
an immediate hit.
His first novel ‘Good Omens’ was published in collaboration with
______________ in 1990. He also published novels such as ‘Neverwhere’ and
‘______________’ in the 1990s and ‘American Gods’ in 2001.
He wrote a ______________ ‘Coraline’ for young adult readers in 2003 which
was very well received by the audiences and another one ‘The ______________
Book’ in 2008.
His other famous works of novel include ‘Anansi Boys’ (2005) and ‘The Ocean
at the End of the ______________’ (2011).
He also wrote the ______________ for films such as ‘Mirrormask’ (2005),
‘Beowulf’ (2007) and for TV Series, ‘Babylon 5’ and ‘Doctor Who’.

Personal life and legacy

While living in East Grinstead, he met his first wife, ______________
McGrath, who was studying ______________. They had their first child, Michael,
in 1983.
In ______________, they got married and were blessed with a girl,
______________, in the same year and another girl, Madeleine, some years later.
The couple ______________ from each other in the later years of their
marriage and eventually ______________ in 2008 after a long separation.
In 2011, he married Amanda Palmer, _________________, after dating her for
more than two years. The couple is ______________with no children.

4. Look through the list of some awards granted to Neil Gaiman.

Sound out their places, frequency and background for issuing.
Complete the list with more nominations and prizes.
 Гудрідс / The Goodreads Choice Awards, 2015 // Фентезі (33 681
лауреат голос)

Локус / Locus Award, 2016 // Авторська збірка

лауреат
Премія «Боб Моран» / Prix Bob Morane, 2019 // Розповідь або збірка
лауреат оповідань (………………………..)
Премії фестивалю «Імажіналіі» / Prix Imaginales, 2019 // Розповідь
лауреат (………………………..)

Номінації на премії:
Премія журналу «Nowa Fantastyka» / Nagrody «Nowej
Fantastyki», Za rok 2015 // Книга року (………………………..)
номінант
«Підсумки року» від журналу «Мир Фантастики», Підсумки
номінант 2015 // Книги – Збірка

Премія «505 за Кельвіном» / Premios Kelvin 505, 2016 //

Переказний роман для підлітків (………………………..)

номінант

5. Watch the video item about 22 answers from Neil Gaiman and answer the
questions.
1) When is the video recorded? How do manage to spot the date and the author’s
age?
2) Did Neil work in his childhood? What was he able to perform?
3) Why did he present and what last time?
4) Are there any exciting people he has ever met? How does the writer account
for the meeting?
5) Has the author revealed all his talents? What is hidden?
6) Why does the colour matter? Which one does he prefer for a toothbrush?
7) What places would Neil like to return?
8) Why does he belief in the most precious and glorious creature? Who is meant
by that?
9) Is Neil bold and easy-going? What causes his fear and to what extent?
10) How do you know that Gaiman is a sophisticated author and respected citizen?
 6. Watch the video item about 3 books that have changed Neil Gaiman’s
lifestyle completely. Answer the questions and share your opinion.
1) Is it easy for your friends or family members to make impact on you at the
current stage?
2) What book could provide you with valuable experiences? Which one
changes your mind?
3) How to differentiate between the multiverse and universe? What is meant
by multiverse?
4) Can’t you get the scope for imagination while reading comics?
5) What genre evokes enthusiasm in Neil Gaiman?
6) Why are certain books included into the priorities of Gaiman’s reading?

7. Put down your musing on the topic “The Power of

Belief” in the form of an opinion essay with 250 words at
least. Provide examples and opposition of opinions in it, mind
the logical structure and coherence of the text.

8. Describe the features and regulations in your

imaginary world. If you were to choose your destination,
where you would live?

9. Watch the video item about Neil Gaiman’s choice between two imaginary
worlds. Why does he pay attention to their qualities and how different are they?
Mention the phenomena to cause hatred in Neil Gaiman. What can’t he put up with?
Does the author approve tattoos? Would you call Neil Gaiman a genius? Provide some
facts to substantiate your idea.

10. For your homework 1: get prepared with the presentation devoted to
one of the aspects of Neil Gaiman’s destiny. Choose any aspect and use different
sources:
1) childhood and early life;
2) career;
3) major works;
4) awards and achievements;
5) personal life;
6) advocacy;
7) unknown facts about the
author;
8) the author’s viewpoint and part in solving the world problems.
 Include https://www.notablebiographies.com/news/Ca-Ge/Gaiman-Neil.html ,
https://www.neilgaiman.com/About_Neil/Biography, ,
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/3648663/A-writers-life-Neil-Gaiman.html
into your reference list.

11. For your homework 2: watch the video about Neil Gaiman’s tips of
success and write a review of it. Use the link to elicit the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KXf1QT9GC0.
Comment on the following:
 Specify the most useful ideas from his speech.
 Prioritize the list of pieces of advice.
 When will you start implementing the tips for success?
 What can hamper you from achieving success?
 Have you heard about the online course that the author conducts? Are you likely
to join it?
Extra information can be found in the article “Neil Gaiman: It’s simple really –
for a successful life, just “Make Good Art”” by Alec Hogg at
https://www.biznews.com/undictated/2012/12/13/neil-gaiman.

12. Read the article “Чому наше майбутнє залежить від читання” at
http://web.archive.org/web/20170116221942/http://vsviti.com.ua/interesting/society/
28950.
Comment on the following:
 Why should a library be regarded as a holy place?
 Isn’t there any exaggeration in the attitude towards books and libraries as the
source of wisdom and the cradle of learning?
 How often do you read and what is your genre preference?
 “What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore. It may call itself a
town, but unless it’s got a bookstore, it knows it’s not foolin’ a soul.”
– Neil Gaiman, American Gods.

Unit 2
1. Read the reflections about “Trigger Warning”
The collection of short stories under discussion was issued in 2015 and was
renowned by numerous highly positive commentaries:
1) Praise for Trigger Warning: “Everything that endears Gaiman to his legions
of fans is on display ... Full of all manner of witches and monsters and things that creep
in the night, this collection will thoroughly satisfy faithful fans and win new ones – if
there’s anyone out there left unconverted.” (Kirkus Reviews)
 2) “There’s much to revel in here, especially for those who’ve never read
anything by Gaiman.” (Huffington Post).
3) “[T]his collection of stories and poems doesn’t disappoint.... Gaiman has
warned us about the monsters, but then come magic and miracles. And love.”
(Washington Post).
4) “[Trigger Warning] showcases the breadth and depth of Gaiman’s talent and
the unique plangent warmth he brings to fantasy fiction. He is never anything less than
a pleasure to read.” (Financial Times).
5) “Gaiman’s is one of the most distinctive voices in modern fantasy.” (Locus).
6) “Gaiman displays an uncanny knack for compressing his expansive
imagination into the close quarters of his stories’ caves, cottages, and creepy rooms....
[he] takes full advantage of his wide range, and it makes for exciting, often musical
writing.” (Boston Globe).
7) ‘All of [the stories] are told with an assured, masterly confidence that should
please anyone who misses seeing a new Ray Bradbury collection on the shelf at the
library.” (Newsday)
8) “Gaiman calls the stories a “hodgepodge,” with no real interweaving theme
throughout. But each of the stories and poems celebrates a different aspect of
storytelling that has informed the author’s life.” (NPR)
9) “Trigger Warning is a comfortable hodgepodge of material ... but there’s
enough serious-minded and deeply felt fantasy and horror to make readers hope that it
won’t be almost a decade before Gaiman completes another similar volume.” (San
Francisco Gate)
10) “[Gaiman]’s prolific, like Stephen King, and apparently inexhaustible: He
dreams up stories as naturally as he breathes.” (Slate)
Answer the questions and complete short-term quests:
1) Choose the most distinctive comment or judgement of the book. What are the
means for critics to share their impression?
2) What is the register of their laudable speeches? What helps you stick to this
opinion?
3) Elicit the patterns or word combinations to assume your incredible viewpoint
on the basis of little evidence that you have looked through.
4) What is necessary for a critic to become an expert in the realm? Is it hard or
easy for you to make judgement?
5) Why is typical of Ray Bradbury’s short stories? Why, in your opinion, Gaiman
is compared to Bradbury?
6) Have you heard of NPR and Slate? What do these words denote?
7) What newspapers mentioned after commentaries are familiar to you? What
information do they embrace? Is it serious or yellow press?
 8) Have you dealt with Gaiman’s writing yet? How would you explain the
distraction of readers’ minds and an overall haze over their consciousness when it
concerns Gaiman’s books?
9) Quest 1. Divide into 2-3 teams. Use the Internet to find out the scope of
Gaiman’s popularity from one of the viewpoints of a) a fan, b) a skeptical critic, c) one
of the author’s family members, d) a grandson, e) a university lecturer, d) his bosom
friend from school, e) a writer, a rival, f) tax inspectorate. Discuss the background for
Gaiman’s success and put forward / reject the idea of inviting the author to your city.
Compare your answers with the opposite group(s).
10) Quest 2. Make a list of Gaiman’s awards and prizes. What team has managed
to find more?

2. Scan the foreword spotlight and formulate the answers to the questions
below the text.
Multiple award winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman
included in his Trigger Warning previously published pieces of short fiction – stories,
verse, and a very special Doctor Who story that was written for the fiftieth anniversary
of the beloved series in 2013.
Full of wonder and terror, surprises and amusements, Trigger Warning is a
treasury of delights that engage the mind, stir the heart, and shake the soul from one of
the most unique and popular literary artists of our day.
Multiple award winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman
returns to dazzle, captivate, haunt, and entertain with this third collection of short
fiction following Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things – which includes a never-
before published American Gods story, “Black Dog,” written exclusively for this
volume.
In this new collection, Neil Gaiman pierces the veil of reality to reveal the
enigmatic, shadowy world that lies beneath. Trigger Warning includes previously
published pieces of short fiction – stories, verse, and a very special Doctor Who story
that was written for the fiftieth anniversary of the beloved series in 2013 – as well
“Black Dog,” a new tale that revisits the world of American Gods, exclusive to this
collection.
Trigger Warning explores the masks we all wear and the people we are beneath
them to reveal our vulnerabilities and our truest selves. Here is a rich cornucopia of
horror and ghosts stories, science fiction and fairy tales, fabulism and poetry that
explore the realm of experience and emotion. In Adventure Story – a thematic
companion to The Ocean at the End of the Lane – Gaiman ponders death and the way
people take their stories with them when they die. His social media experience A
Calendar of Tales are short takes inspired by replies to fan tweets about the months of
the year – stories of pirates and the March winds, an igloo made of books, and a
Mother’s Day card that portends disturbances in the universe. Gaiman offers his own
ingenious spin on Sherlock Holmes in his award-nominated mystery tale The Case of
Death and Honey. And Click-Clack the Rattlebag explains the creaks and clatter we
hear when we’re all alone in the darkness.
A sophisticated writer whose creative genius is unparalleled, Gaiman entrances
with his literary alchemy, transporting us deep into the realm of imagination, where the
fantastical becomes real and the everyday incandescent. Full of wonder and terror,
surprises and amusements, Trigger Warning is a treasury of delights that engage the
mind, stir the heart, and shake the soul from one of the most unique and popular literary
artists of our day.

Answer the questions:

 When was the time of becoming a hit for Neil Gaiman? What favoured
his success?
 What genres is he developing?
 Comment and translate the idea: “Ми творимо історії у власній голові.
Ми беремо слова і надаємо їм сили, ми дивимося через чужі очі, крізь які бачимо
і переживаємо те, що й інші.”?
 What does the author imply “Усі ми носимо маски. Саме це робить нас
цікавими.”? Justify your opinion.
 Why, in Gaiman’s opinion, can short stories hardly become profitable?
 Read the introduction to the book of stories (the first story is hidden within
the preliminary remarks). What creature could you imagine while reading “Shadders”?
Does a plethora of shadders frighten you?
 What is the place of the book “Trigger Warning” and what to expect from
it according to the introductory part?
 What stories are expected to be the part of the book “Trigger Warning”?
 Is there any connection of the book under discussion with the previous
works of the author?
 “I lived in books more than I lived anywhere else.”
– Neil Gaiman, The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
 “Tomorrow may be hell, but today was a good writing day, and on the good
writing days nothing else matters.”
– Neil Gaiman.
 “Being a writer is a very peculiar sort of a job: it’s always you versus a
blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen) and quite often the blank piece of paper wins.”
(Neil Gaiman).

3. Extra reading task. Find the article about Alison Wood who has managed to
interview Neil Gaiman for the Guardian “Neil Gaiman: ‘I don’t think I’m
mainstream. I’m lots of different cults’”
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/26/neil-gaiman-sandman-author-profile
Determine the means to express the author’s tone and voice. Cram more at
https://writerswrite.co.za/155-words-to-describe-an-authors-tone/ .