New Book: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman (Author) and Chris Riddell (Illustrator)

(UK Cover with link)

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman (Author) and Chris Riddell (Illustrator) is released this week in the UK. Not the US. But a small consolation for Gaiman fans is that next week his Hansel and Gretel will be released stateside while it won't be released until December there. But I don't have a US release date for The Sleeper and the Spindle at all yet. There will be one, never fear. But it may be several more months. Bummer. As my dad likes to say, "Life isn't fair." I'll add "especially when it comes to book publishing."

(US Cover with link)

You can find the text of the story in Rags & Bones: New Twists on Timeless Tales quite easily.

But an edition illustrated by Chris Riddell is a treat. I'll show images to tempt and taunt.

Book description from the publisher:

A thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell – weaving together a sort-of Snow White and an almost Sleeping Beauty with a thread of dark magic, which will hold readers spellbound from start to finish.

On the eve of her wedding, a young queen sets out to rescue a princess from an enchantment. She casts aside her fine wedding clothes, takes her chain mail and her sword and follows her brave dwarf retainers into the tunnels under the mountain towards the sleeping kingdom. This queen will decide her own future – and the princess who needs rescuing is not quite what she seems. Twisting together the familiar and the new, this perfectly delicious, captivating and darkly funny tale shows its creators at the peak of their talents.

Lavishly produced, packed with glorious Chris Riddell illustrations enhanced with metallic ink, this is a spectacular and magical gift.