Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders

A mysterious circus terrifies an audience for one extraordinary performance before disappearing into the night . . .

Two teenage boys crash a party and meet the girls of their dreams--and nightmares . . .

In a Hugo Award-winning story, a great detective must solve a most unsettling royal murder in a strangely altered Victorian England . . .

These marvelous creations and more showcase the unparalleled invention and storytelling brilliance--and the terrifyingly dark and entertaining wit--of the incomparable Neil Gaiman. By turns delightful, disturbing, and diverting, "Fragile Things" is a gift of literary enchantment from one of the most original writers of our time.

Contents:
vi •  From 'Little Nemo in Slumberland' • (1907) • interior artwork by Winsor McCay
xiii • Introduction (Fragile Things) • (2006) • essay by Neil Gaiman
1 • A Study in Emerald • (2003) • novelette by Neil Gaiman
27 • The Fairy Reel • (2004) • poem by Neil Gaiman (variant of The Faery Reel)
29 • October in the Chair • (2002) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
45 • The Hidden Chamber • (2005) • poem by Neil Gaiman
49 • Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Secret House of the Night of Dread Desire • (2004) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman (variant of Forbidden Brides of the Faceless Slaves in the Nameless House of the Night of Dread Desire)
65 • The Flints of Memory Lane • (1997) • essay by Neil Gaiman
69 • Closing Time • (2003) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
83 • Going Wodwo • (2002) • poem by Neil Gaiman
85 • Bitter Grounds • (2003) • novelette by Neil Gaiman
109 • Other People • (2001) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
113 • Keepsakes and Treasures: A Love Story • (1999) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
133 • Good Boys Deserve Favours • (1995) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
139 • The Facts in the Case of the Departure of Miss Finch • (1998) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
159 • Strange Little Girls • (2001) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
165 • Harlequin Valentine • (1999) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
177 • Locks • (1999) • poem by Neil Gaiman
181 • The Problem of Susan • (2004) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
191 • Instructions • (2000) • poem by Neil Gaiman
195 • How Do You Think It Feels? • (1998) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
205 • My Life • (2002) • poem by Neil Gaiman
209 • Fifteen Painted Cards from a Vampire Tarot • (1998) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
219 • Feeders and Eaters • (2002) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
229 • Diseasemaker's Croup • (2003) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
233 • In the End • (1996) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
235 • Goliath • (1998) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
249 • Pages from a Journal Found in a Shoebox Left in a Greyhound Bus Somewhere Between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Louisville, Kentucky • (2002) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
255 • How to Talk to Girls at Parties • (2006) • shortstory by Neil Gaiman
271 • The Day the Saucers Came • (2006) • poem by Neil Gaiman
273 • Sunbird • (2005) • novelette by Neil Gaiman
297 • Inventing Aladdin • (2003) • poem by Neil Gaiman
301 • The Monarch of the Glen • [American Gods] • (2003) • novelette by Neil Gaiman
357 • Credits (Fragile Things) • (2006) • essay by uncredited