Product Description

A young boy stumbles across a Punch and Judy show at the pier one day and thus enters a world of extraordinary magic. A story unfolds in which the boy is forced to confront family secrets, strange puppets and a nightmarish world of violence and betrayal in this dark fable of childhood and growing up.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29675 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

About the Author
Neil Gaiman is world famous for his extraordinary stories told in graphic novel and traditional forms. He lives in the USA with his family. Dave McKean similarly is held in the highest regard as an artist and film maker. He lives in Kent, England with his family.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful, extraordinary, superb, great, etc. and so on.
Neil Gaiman is my hero. I always have, and always will be intrigued by Punch & Judy. Therefore, Gaiman's Mr. Punch is one of the greatest works I've ever read. Though it is unfair to say "Gaiman's Mr. Punch", as it is equally Dave McKean's, for without him, I'm sure Mr. Punch would lose part of its eerie, strange, subtle power. Mr. Punch is an odd book. I read it in a single sitting, and afterwards, I was actually at a loss for words trying to describe what it is. This was a first; I can praise Neil Gaiman for hours on end, but I was stuck with Mr. Punch. I've seen it classified as Horror, Science Fiction, normal Fiction, and just as a Comic. But it is much more. It sent something through me - something that I am also at a loss of words about. This is a really great story, much like a dream (or nightmare, depending) it is surreal, yet uncommonly realistic; it is disturbing, but also soothing. It's more of an experience than a reading. McKean's artwork and Gaiman's words send you into something of a trance, where you enjoy yourself, get disturbed (actually, more troubled, as the young protangonist would say), and subtly reminded of your own childhood. A must read for any Gaiman or McKean fan, and also a must read for any Punch & Judy enthusiast, or anyone looking for a great read.

A return to childhood.
The easiest thing to say about this book is that it looks simply fantastic, but this doesn't do it true justice. Drawing disturbing parallels with the Punch & Judy Show, the story of the narrators grandfather begins to emerge but is never fully explained, much like the chiropractor's in "Violent Cases".

In fact, this book is very much a companion piece to that earlier work, reflecting upon similar themes (how childhood & fiction combine) but taking you down a far more adult path.

Recommend? Certainly, but it won't be to everyone's taste...

An amazing book, the comic strip style draws you in!
A Romance is a misleading explanation of this book. It features the talents of both Neil Gaiman and the artistic skills of Dave McKean. The story focus' on a characters memories of childhood. Particularily his memories of the Punch and Judy shows which placed fear within his heart. The illustrations are fantastic and the comic style that the whole book enroles in is typical to many of their other colaborations. An excellent book, start a collection!