Smoke and Mirrors
Short Fictions and Illusions
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Narrated by:
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Neil Gaiman
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Written by:
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Neil Gaiman
About this listen
In the deft hands of Neil Gaiman, magic is no mere illusion... and anything is possible. In Smoke and Mirrors, Gaiman's imagination and supreme artistry transform a mundane world into a place of terrible wonders - where an old woman can purchase the Holy Grail at a thrift store, where assassins advertise their services in the Yellow Pages under "Pest Control," and where a frightened young boy must barter for his life with a mean-spirited troll living beneath a bridge by the railroad tracks.
Explore a new reality, obscured by smoke and darkness yet brilliantly tangible, in this extraordinary collection of short works by a master prestidigitator. It will dazzle your senses, touch your heart, and haunt your dreams.
©1998 Neil Gaiman (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishersYou may also enjoy...
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Good Omens
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- Narrated by: Rebecca Front, Michael Sheen, David Tennant, and others
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
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According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655, before she exploded), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan.
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Very Enjoyable!
- By Anonymous User on 2023-08-31
Written by: Neil Gaiman, and others
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Celtic Mythology
- Tales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes
- Written by: Philip Freeman
- Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Most people have heard of the Celts - the elusive, ancient tribal people who resided in present-day England, Ireland, Scotland and France. Paradoxically characterized as both barbaric and innocent, the Celts appeal to the modern world as a symbol of a bygone era, a world destroyed by the ambition of empire and the spread of Christianity throughout Western Europe. Despite the pervasive cultural and literary influence of the Celts, shockingly little is known of their way of life and beliefs, because very few records of their stories exist.
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Too many cut Corners
- By Ruadraiodoir on 2023-05-04
Written by: Philip Freeman
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Lovecraft's Monsters
- Written by: Neil Gaiman, Ellen Datlow - editor
- Narrated by: Bernard Clark
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Prepare to meet the wicked progeny of the master of modern horror. In Lovecraft's Monsters, H. P. Lovecraft's most famous creations--Cthulhu, Shoggoths, Deep Ones, Elder Things, Yog-Sothoth, and more--appear in all their terrifying glory. Each story is a gripping new take on a classic Lovecraftian creature. Contributors include such literary luminaries as Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Karl Edward Wagner, Elizabeth Bear, and Nick Mamatas.
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Awesomely grotesque!
- By Claire Lussier on 2022-12-07
Written by: Neil Gaiman, and others
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The Psychology of Time Travel
- A Novel
- Written by: Kate Mascarenhas
- Narrated by: Ellie Heydon
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
In 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world’s first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project - and future of time travel - in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team - erasing her contributions from history. Fifty years later, time travel is a big business. Twenty-something Ruby Rebello knows her beloved grandmother Granny Bee was one of the pioneers, though no one will tell her more.
Written by: Kate Mascarenhas
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The Heart Goes Last
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- Written by: Margaret Atwood
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Mark Deakins
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Performance
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Stan and Charmaine are a married couple trying to stay afloat in the midst of an economic and social collapse. Job loss has forced them to live in their car, leaving them vulnerable to roving gangs. They desperately need to turn their situation around—and fast. The Positron Project in the town of Consilience seems to be the answer to their prayers. No one is unemployed and everyone gets a comfortable, clean house to live in . . . for six months out of the year. On alternating months, residents of Consilience must leave their homes and function as inmates in the Positron prison system.
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Interesting
- By Sandy on 2019-08-15
Written by: Margaret Atwood
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The Sandman
- Written by: Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs
- Narrated by: Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
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When The Sandman, also known as Lord Morpheus - the immortal king of dreams, stories and the imagination - is pulled from his realm and imprisoned on Earth by a nefarious cult, he languishes for decades before finally escaping. Once free, he must retrieve the three “tools” that will restore his power and help him to rebuild his dominion, which has deteriorated in his absence.
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Overproduced
- By Dan Scott on 2020-08-02
Written by: Neil Gaiman, and others
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Good Omens
- A Full Cast Production
- Written by: Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
- Narrated by: Rebecca Front, Michael Sheen, David Tennant, and others
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies, written in 1655, before she exploded), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, frogs are falling, tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan.
-
-
Very Enjoyable!
- By Anonymous User on 2023-08-31
Written by: Neil Gaiman, and others
-
Celtic Mythology
- Tales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes
- Written by: Philip Freeman
- Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Most people have heard of the Celts - the elusive, ancient tribal people who resided in present-day England, Ireland, Scotland and France. Paradoxically characterized as both barbaric and innocent, the Celts appeal to the modern world as a symbol of a bygone era, a world destroyed by the ambition of empire and the spread of Christianity throughout Western Europe. Despite the pervasive cultural and literary influence of the Celts, shockingly little is known of their way of life and beliefs, because very few records of their stories exist.
-
-
Too many cut Corners
- By Ruadraiodoir on 2023-05-04
Written by: Philip Freeman
-
Lovecraft's Monsters
- Written by: Neil Gaiman, Ellen Datlow - editor
- Narrated by: Bernard Clark
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Prepare to meet the wicked progeny of the master of modern horror. In Lovecraft's Monsters, H. P. Lovecraft's most famous creations--Cthulhu, Shoggoths, Deep Ones, Elder Things, Yog-Sothoth, and more--appear in all their terrifying glory. Each story is a gripping new take on a classic Lovecraftian creature. Contributors include such literary luminaries as Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Karl Edward Wagner, Elizabeth Bear, and Nick Mamatas.
-
-
Awesomely grotesque!
- By Claire Lussier on 2022-12-07
Written by: Neil Gaiman, and others
-
The Psychology of Time Travel
- A Novel
- Written by: Kate Mascarenhas
- Narrated by: Ellie Heydon
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world’s first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project - and future of time travel - in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team - erasing her contributions from history. Fifty years later, time travel is a big business. Twenty-something Ruby Rebello knows her beloved grandmother Granny Bee was one of the pioneers, though no one will tell her more.
Written by: Kate Mascarenhas
-
The Heart Goes Last
- A Novel
- Written by: Margaret Atwood
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Mark Deakins
- Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stan and Charmaine are a married couple trying to stay afloat in the midst of an economic and social collapse. Job loss has forced them to live in their car, leaving them vulnerable to roving gangs. They desperately need to turn their situation around—and fast. The Positron Project in the town of Consilience seems to be the answer to their prayers. No one is unemployed and everyone gets a comfortable, clean house to live in . . . for six months out of the year. On alternating months, residents of Consilience must leave their homes and function as inmates in the Positron prison system.
-
-
Interesting
- By Sandy on 2019-08-15
Written by: Margaret Atwood
-
The Sandman
- Written by: Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs
- Narrated by: Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When The Sandman, also known as Lord Morpheus - the immortal king of dreams, stories and the imagination - is pulled from his realm and imprisoned on Earth by a nefarious cult, he languishes for decades before finally escaping. Once free, he must retrieve the three “tools” that will restore his power and help him to rebuild his dominion, which has deteriorated in his absence.
-
-
Overproduced
- By Dan Scott on 2020-08-02
Written by: Neil Gaiman, and others
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Stories
- All-New Tales
- Written by: Neil Gaiman - author/editor, Al Sarrantonio - editor, Joe Hill, and others
- Narrated by: Anne Bobby, Jonathan Davis, Katherine Kellgren, and others
- Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Story
The best stories pull readers in and keep them turning the pages, eager to discover more—to find the answer to the question: "And then what happened?" The true hallmark of great literature is great imagination, and as Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio prove with this outstanding collection, when it comes to great fiction, all genres are equal.
Written by: Neil Gaiman - author/editor, and others
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The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time
- Written by: Robert Jordan, Teresa Patterson
- Narrated by: Paul Woodson
- Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Since its debut in 1990, The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan has captivated millions around the globe with its scope, originality, and compelling characters. In this series companion book, the listener will learn about the exotic beasts used by the Seanchan and hear of the rise and fall of Artur Hawking, and peruse the deeper story of the War of the Shadow. Here is the tale of the founding of the White Tower, and the creation of the Ajahs. The inner workings of the closed country, Shara, are revealed, as is the existence of a hitherto unknown continent, The Land of the Madmen.
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Similar critique to other listeners
- By Hardy on 2023-06-23
Written by: Robert Jordan, and others
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Exhalation
- Stories
- Written by: Ted Chiang
- Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini, Dominic Hoffman, Amy Landon, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Tackling some of humanity’s oldest questions along with new quandaries only he could imagine, these stories will change the way you think, feel, and see the world. They are Ted Chiang at his best: profound, sympathetic, revelatory. Ted Chiang tackles some of humanity’s oldest questions along with new quandaries only he could imagine.
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Delightful collection of thought-provoking stories
- By Hmmmm on 2020-02-03
Written by: Ted Chiang
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Rogues
- Written by: Neil Gaiman - contributor, George R. R. Martin - editor, Gillian Flynn - contributor, and others
- Narrated by: Janis Ian, Gwendoline Christie, Roy Dotrice, and others
- Length: 31 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
If you’re a fan of fiction that is more than just black and white, this latest story collection from number-one New York Times best-selling author George R. R. Martin and award-winning editor Gardner Dozois is filled with subtle shades of gray. Twenty-one all-original stories, by an all-star list of contributors, will delight and astonish you in equal measure with their cunning twists and dazzling reversals. And George R. R. Martin himself offers a brand-new A Game of Thrones tale chronicling one of the biggest rogues in the entire history of Ice and Fire.
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Came for the Rothfuss..
- By Langer MD on 2019-10-08
Written by: Neil Gaiman - contributor, and others
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20th Century Ghosts
- Written by: Joe Hill
- Narrated by: David LeDoux
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Imogene is young and beautiful. She kisses like a movie star and knows everything about every film ever made. She's also dead and waiting in the Rosebud Theater for Alec Sheldon on an afternoon in 1945...Arthur Roth is a lonely kid with big ideas and a gift for attracting abuse. It isn't easy to make friends when you're the only inflatable boy in town.
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Meh.
- By jacques on 2019-06-28
Written by: Joe Hill
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Space at the Speed of Light
- The History of 14 Billion Years for People Short on Time
- Written by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Narrated by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Length: 2 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Oxford University astrophysicist and popular YouTube personality Dr. Becky Smethurst presents everything you need to know about the universe in 10 accessible and engaging lessons. In Space at the Speed of Light: The History of 14 Billion Years for People Short on Time, she guides you through fundamental questions, both answered and unanswered, posed by space scientists. Why does gravity matter? How do we know the big bang happened?
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Short but great
- By Geoff on 2021-06-03
Written by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
What listeners say about Smoke and Mirrors
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
- Morello.ca
- 2018-10-25
Good but not the usual excellent
Let’s get something out of the way - I love Neil Gaiman’s work. I have pretty much read and listened to all his published works. Hearing him performing his stories just makes each story even better - he is without doubt a wonderful story teller.
So - Smoke and Mirrors. While I enjoyed the book, I didn’t love it as I have with the others. The stories were just not quite as interesting. Well written yes but lacking something I can’t quite put my finger on. That said, I do recommend this book for anything NG fan.
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Overall
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Performance
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- Beth Stephen
- 2021-06-24
disappointed compared to the other 2 Gaiman books
disappointed compared to the other 2 Gaiman books I've read. it might be just taste. I just don't love the sex scenes but some of the stories were good they just ended too soon.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall
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- Deckard
- 2022-02-27
Classic Gaiman
A great entry point for anyone curious about Gaiman's work or for those already familiar with his works
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