When I found Neil Gaiman’s ‘Smoke and Mirrors: Short Stories and Illusions’, a collection of dark and mysterious tales, I knew I’d be in for a treat. Being one of my favourite authors – let alone idols – I had no doubt in his abilities nor the modest approach of his writing that I was about to indulge in. Sure enough, I wasn’t even halfway into the introduction when I was rewarded – Yes Neil, I read your introductions.
‘The Wedding Present’, named as it was intended, was written with somewhat more of a haunting feel than a traditional gift of celebration should be; however it was delectable all the same. I for one would certainly accept that gift with great delight. Not just because it’s by Neil Gaiman, nor that I have a sinisterly weird taste myself, but because I feel it also had a deeper moral meaning.
Now I don’t want to spoil it too much for you, especially as it was a short story, so I will be careful in my wording here and warn you before any spoilers…
It was welcomingly short, to the point and its ending left you curious for more. It could not and should not be any more than it is however, because it is just right. Reading it through I felt entwined in the characters lives, dreading the twists as much as I enjoyed the taste of their successes.
The moral I felt the story portrayed was to – most simply – cherish and be grateful for what you have. In this instance it was about a marriage and the life a couple have together after their wedding, but the principle applies all around. You don’t know how long you have what you have so you need to make the most of it. Whatever ‘it’ might be.
Now here’s the spoiler alert!
A newly-wed couple receive a beautifully crafted story of their wedding which they choose to store and cherish with their wedding memories. With a true Dorian Gray inspiration, the couple discover in time that the story has grown with them, showing an alternate marriage that could have been; a marriage quite the opposite of their happy and successful reality. They check on it regularly and compare to their own, leaving them wondering which is the true reality. As short as the story, their world crashes around them with a tragedy leaving the reader with a valuable and thought provoking question.
If you enjoy short tales, I would certainly recommend reading this book, even if only for this introductory story; it is certainly a go to title to try!
