🌙 Paranormal

Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions

✍️ Neil Gaiman
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$9.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A mass market collection of short stories by Neil Gaiman featuring illusions and fantasy.

This edition captures Gaiman’s skill in crafting brief, eerie tales. It is designed for readers who enjoy fantasy fiction that operates on the edge of reality. The volume contains a preview of Anansi Boys, linking it to his later mythological works. It is ideal for casual browsing or quick reading sessions. It may not satisfy those looking for deep character development across hundreds of pages. The focus remains on the immediate impact of each short piece.

Key Themes
short stories fantasy fiction illusions
Literary Context

Published in 2005 by William Morrow & Company, this mass market edition targets American readers interested in contemporary fantasy. It appears alongside his novel Anansi Boys, reflecting a period where Gaiman was establishing his reputation for blending myth with modern storytelling.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Clive Barker · HP Lovecraft · Shirley Jackson · Tamsyn Muir
🌙
Paranormal
🏛 William Morrow & Company 📅 2005 📖 384 pages 🌐 English 📔 Mass Market Paperbound ISBN: 9780380789023

📝 Description: Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions

Neil Gaiman presents a collection of short stories and illusions in Smoke and Mirrors. This volume showcases his work as a gifted fantasy writer at the peak of his form. The book includes content that offers a glimpse into his new hardcover title, Anansi Boys, which was available in September following this release. The publication is issued by William Morrow & Company and carries the ISBN 9780380789023. It arrived in mass market format on August 30, 2005. Readers seeking a curated selection of Gaiman’s earlier fiction will find this edition suitable. Those expecting long novels or non-fiction essays may find it less appealing. The text focuses on concise narratives rather than expansive world-building. This collection serves as a specific entry point for fans of the author. It highlights his ability to blend supernatural elements with everyday settings. The inclusion of a preview for Anansi Boys provides additional context for his broader mythological interests. The book stands as a compact volume for those who appreciate quick, imaginative reads.

💎 Our verdict on Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Neil Gaiman presents a compelling collection of short stories and illusions that showcase his prowess as a gifted fantasy writer. The volume is designed for readers who enjoy fiction operating on the edge of reality, offering concise narratives rather than expansive world-building. It includes a preview linking to his broader mythological interests, providing context for his later works. While it may not satisfy those seeking long novels or non-fiction essays, it stands as a strong entry point for fans. The focus remains on the immediate impact of each piece, making it perfect for quick reading sessions and casual browsing within the horror and fantasy genres.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a curated selection of Neil Gaiman’s earlier fiction will find this edition particularly suitable for casual browsing or quick reading sessions. It is ideal for those who appreciate the immediate impact of short, eerie tales that operate on the edge of reality. The volume serves as a specific entry point for fans, highlighting his skill in crafting brief narratives filled with illusions and fantasy. Those looking for deep character development across hundreds of pages may find it less appealing, but it offers a compact experience for those who enjoy imaginative reads that blend the supernatural with everyday settings without demanding extensive commitment.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Neil Gaiman presents a compelling collection of short stories and illusions that showcase his prowess as a gifted fantasy writer. The volume is designed for readers who enjoy fiction operating on the edge of reality, offering concise narratives rather than expansive world-building. It includes a preview linking to his broader mythological interests, providing context for his later works. While it may not satisfy those seeking long novels or non-fiction essays, it stands as a strong entry point for fans. The focus remains on the immediate impact of each piece, making it perfect for quick reading sessions and casual browsing within the horror and fantasy genres.

✍️ More books by this author Neil Gaiman

The Ocean at the End of the Lane
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Neil Gaiman
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
$18.99
86
Read →
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Neil Gaiman
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances
$18.99
86
Read →
The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Neil Gaiman
The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction
$19.99
78
Read →
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Neil Gaiman
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions
$18.99
86
Read →
The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Neil Gaiman
The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction
$40.00
86
Read →
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Neil Gaiman
Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances
$9.99
86
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher William Morrow & Company

Hairpin Bridge
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Taylor Adams
Hairpin Bridge
$9.99
86
Read →
A Pleasure to Burn: Fahrenheit 451 Stories
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Ray Bradbury
A Pleasure to Burn: Fahrenheit 451 Stories
$19.99
81
Read →
Disappearance at Devil's Rock
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Paul Tremblay
Disappearance at Devil's Rock
$49.99
86
Read →
Galloway's Gospel
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Sam Rebelein
Galloway's Gospel
$18.99
86
Read →
Mother May I
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Joshilyn Jackson
Mother May I
$9.99
81
Read →
Eight Perfect Murders
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Peter Swanson
Eight Perfect Murders
$9.99
86
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Neil Gaiman
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions
$18.99
86
Read →
One More for the Road: A New Story Collection
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Ray Bradbury
One More for the Road: A New Story Collection
$9.99
86
Read →
Bite Me: A Love Story
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Christopher Moore
Bite Me: A Love Story
$14.99
86
Read →
Growing Things and Other Stories -20%
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Paul Tremblay
Growing Things and Other Stories
$18.99 $24.00
86
Read →
666 Park Avenue
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Gabriella Pierce
666 Park Avenue
$13.99
81
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist