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Troll Bridge
From the mind of master storyteller Neil Gaiman
Young Jack's world was full of ghosts and ghouls, but one monster - a ravenous and hideous troll - would haunt him long into manhood. As the beast sups upon a lifetime of Jack's fear and regret, Jack must find the courage within himself to face the fiend once and for all.
Beautifully adapted by Colleen Doran (The Sandman, Stan Lee's Amazing Fantastic Incredible: A Marvelous Memoir), a gorgeous new addition to your Gaiman library.
Young Jack's world was full of ghosts and ghouls, but one monster - a ravenous and hideous troll - would haunt him long into manhood. As the beast sups upon a lifetime of Jack's fear and regret, Jack must find the courage within himself to face the fiend once and for all.
Beautifully adapted by Colleen Doran (The Sandman, Stan Lee's Amazing Fantastic Incredible: A Marvelous Memoir), a gorgeous new addition to your Gaiman library.
13 pages
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
December 23, 2020
A beautiful version of Neil Gaiman's short story about a boy who encounters a troll while walking the countryside. Colleen Doran illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. It's the best work I've seen from her. Just breathtaking.
Received an advance copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2017
Are all troll stories deeply allegorical? I don't know, but this one is. Colleen Doran beautifully and thoughtfully illustrates this NT Times bestseller, a story from Gaiman about a sweet and sensitive boy who as a young boy encounters a troll who threatens him: "I'll eat your life." The troll is not just a troll here, let's say. If he were just a troll, the troll would say, "Pay me a toll to get under--or over--this bridge, or I will eat you," maybe. And maybe even that is allegorical, something about the necessity of facing various horrors as you are growing up, the toll exacted by "trolls." And this story is called "The Troll Bridge" and not "Troll," where (and I won't tell you the surprise ending) the bridge--or is it the "bridge" figures in.
The boy puts off the troll's eating him, initially offering his sister in exchange, then offering on another occasion that he will come back later when he is older (and fatter, the better to be eaten by the troll), then years later offering his girlfriend instead of himself. Increasingly, he's less and less sweet and more and more selfish-seeeming. There's an undercurrent of darkness and sadness in this story that also features a complicated central theme of sexuality, one that makes for a richer and certainly more unsettling conclusion. There is not a neat and simple moral here, thankfully, but a it's a great fairy tale of unraveling for adults about growing up. And depending on how one interprets all the sexual information in the story, there may be an opportunity on the role of sexuality for this boy in that unraveling. It's not primarily a child's text, finally, though if a kid happened to pick it up, there would be an occasion for talk here, definitely.
The boy puts off the troll's eating him, initially offering his sister in exchange, then offering on another occasion that he will come back later when he is older (and fatter, the better to be eaten by the troll), then years later offering his girlfriend instead of himself. Increasingly, he's less and less sweet and more and more selfish-seeeming. There's an undercurrent of darkness and sadness in this story that also features a complicated central theme of sexuality, one that makes for a richer and certainly more unsettling conclusion. There is not a neat and simple moral here, thankfully, but a it's a great fairy tale of unraveling for adults about growing up. And depending on how one interprets all the sexual information in the story, there may be an opportunity on the role of sexuality for this boy in that unraveling. It's not primarily a child's text, finally, though if a kid happened to pick it up, there would be an occasion for talk here, definitely.
December 23, 2024
At the beginning of the story Jack's woodland adventures brought back childhood memories of my own explorations alone through the woods. The following excerpts are meaningful to me:
"The light that penetrated the leaves was stained green and gold, and I thought I was in fairyland [...] I walked and walked down the quiet golden-green corridor, and saw nobody."
As the story went on it became increasingly dark and Jack's willingness to sacrifice others to save himself seemed very selfish, however upon reflection, perhaps understandable given his youth.
"The light that penetrated the leaves was stained green and gold, and I thought I was in fairyland [...] I walked and walked down the quiet golden-green corridor, and saw nobody."
As the story went on it became increasingly dark and Jack's willingness to sacrifice others to save himself seemed very selfish, however upon reflection, perhaps understandable given his youth.
March 12, 2013
I listened to the story read by Neil Gaiman himself through PRI. It was a cute short story, funny and scary at the same time.
October 22, 2022
2.5*
The main themes of nostalgia, regret and fear have a good place in this story
We go from a little boy meeting a hungry troll to revist as a man accepting his fate after years of poor behaviour.
I did enjoy the parts of the story where he talks of running to the bridge to watch the trains pass as i loved to do this as a kid. Also, the change in the area where fields and woods are transformed to house after house or flat after flat. Its upsetting to see your childhood area change so much.
Reason for the 2.5* was the inclusion of a random sexual element that came across as un needed and rather weird. After reading philip pullmans the butterfly tattoo and to find similar context im wondering if this is common for a Y.A book?🤨no idea. The way its written is just a little too forward will we say. Wheres the cute romance people!😂 or just leave that bit out! It would have been so much better without.
The main themes of nostalgia, regret and fear have a good place in this story
We go from a little boy meeting a hungry troll to revist as a man accepting his fate after years of poor behaviour.
I did enjoy the parts of the story where he talks of running to the bridge to watch the trains pass as i loved to do this as a kid. Also, the change in the area where fields and woods are transformed to house after house or flat after flat. Its upsetting to see your childhood area change so much.
Reason for the 2.5* was the inclusion of a random sexual element that came across as un needed and rather weird. After reading philip pullmans the butterfly tattoo and to find similar context im wondering if this is common for a Y.A book?🤨no idea. The way its written is just a little too forward will we say. Wheres the cute romance people!😂 or just leave that bit out! It would have been so much better without.
September 30, 2024
para clase :)
"Don’t take me. I don’t want to die. Take her" le odio le odio le odio
"Don’t take me. I don’t want to die. Take her" le odio le odio le odio
November 5, 2016
One of the most charming titles I've read in the last few years!
Colleen Doran (best known for "A Distant Soil") is a stellar choice to bring evocative life to Gaimans charming prose.
Highly recommended.
Colleen Doran (best known for "A Distant Soil") is a stellar choice to bring evocative life to Gaimans charming prose.
Highly recommended.
August 16, 2017
I had read this before. Oddly I don't recall at all it being illustrated; maybe it was published with just text in one of his story collections? I'm not sure I felt that the illustrations added anything to my experience of the story, although they are certainly fine.
August 13, 2013
Somewhat frightening in a simple way. In fact, it is the fact that it is frightening in a simple way that makes it frightening. In a simple way.
March 22, 2023
2.5 stars for the deep sense of sadness masterfully conveyed. The rest, I wasn't so keen on.
A pitiful story about growing up and the changes in outlook we experience at different stages of our lives. I didn't fully understand how I should interpret the sexual undercurrent here, but I felt I would have enjoyed the story much more without it. A bit of an abrupt and vague ending.
A pitiful story about growing up and the changes in outlook we experience at different stages of our lives. I didn't fully understand how I should interpret the sexual undercurrent here, but I felt I would have enjoyed the story much more without it. A bit of an abrupt and vague ending.
October 16, 2013
I listened to this short story on audiobook, which was read by the author himself. The way he spoke as the troll really creeped me out. Infact, the story was pretty creepy all round. I just wish it was a bit longer.
June 18, 2017
Such a simple story, yet so strong. And its darkness and sadness really get into the reader - at least it got into me and crawled somewhere besides the heart.
Weird, but I feel very close to Jack and I have no idea how a character from such a short story could make such impression so quickly O.O
Weird, but I feel very close to Jack and I have no idea how a character from such a short story could make such impression so quickly O.O
December 21, 2016
Left me with a dark feeling.
September 9, 2016
Wonderful and eerie as fuck it really Got under my skin. Am I like the troll? Gaiman when he is fucking awesome....
December 31, 2024
Recommended by Keith
Fairy tales are slept on. Troll bridge is about running away from smoke and inevitable troubles were bound to face. It’s about contemplating the vicissitudes of life, through time (boyhood to adulthood) and space (settings), and noticing what doesn’t change.
Beyond that it’s just an engaging and enjoyable story.
Fairy tales are slept on. Troll bridge is about running away from smoke and inevitable troubles were bound to face. It’s about contemplating the vicissitudes of life, through time (boyhood to adulthood) and space (settings), and noticing what doesn’t change.
Beyond that it’s just an engaging and enjoyable story.
September 28, 2024
No esperaba para nada que me gustase, pero es muy sencillito de leer y da hasta un poco de miedito, muy bueno
December 20, 2013
Life comes and goes in a series of moments.
When have we lived enough? Experienced enough? Loved enough?
This slightly supernatural short-story tries to answer.
This is vintage Gaiman, with simple but beautiful language and a lot of food for thought.
The audio narration by the author is spot on and highly recommended.
When have we lived enough? Experienced enough? Loved enough?
This slightly supernatural short-story tries to answer.
This is vintage Gaiman, with simple but beautiful language and a lot of food for thought.
The audio narration by the author is spot on and highly recommended.
September 21, 2017
This one will haunt me for some time to come. It was heartbreaking and spooky and intense. In other words, it is vintage Gaiman. There are sexual themes here and that should be noted as the cover and the graphic novel format may lead one to believe that this is for children. It is not. But is a powerful allegory that I am going to sign off and meditate on for awhile.
December 21, 2017
Did...we really need to devote a line of this story to the troll's genitalia?
No, for real...was that necessary?
Many thanks for that splendid mental image, Neil!
Also, the main character was such an SOB that I was rooting for the troll.
I was not really a fan of this one. I wish Neil would stop inserting lines or scenes that jolt the reader out of the story.
No, for real...was that necessary?
Many thanks for that splendid mental image, Neil!
Also, the main character was such an SOB that I was rooting for the troll.
I was not really a fan of this one. I wish Neil would stop inserting lines or scenes that jolt the reader out of the story.
November 11, 2016
This was sooo Neil Gaiman. Eerie, dark, and so smart.
November 30, 2017
Like all Neil's stuff, it left me sort of feeling..."Huh."
July 4, 2018
Very typical Gaiman story and I can give it no higher praise than that. I liked the artwork as well, I thought it complimented the story beautifully.
What kept it from a 5 star read for me was just that the ending was so abrupt I would've liked to see it more fleshed out.
What kept it from a 5 star read for me was just that the ending was so abrupt I would've liked to see it more fleshed out.
February 8, 2018
I have no words. It was a take on the fairy tale: The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Only the troll wanted to eat the boy’s life.
May 17, 2021
Lovely adaptation of a good story! Neil Gaiman is always more palatable for me when he's workin with a talented illustrator.
December 26, 2017
Updated, melancholic fairy tale.
October 21, 2016
Young Jack's world is full of ghosts and ghouls, but one monster - a ravenous and hideous troll - haunts him long into manhood. As the beast sups upon a lifetime of Jack's fear and regret, Jack must find the courage within himself to face the fiend once and for all.
This tale was first published in Neil Gaimans book Smoke and Mirrors as part of a collection of short stories. In 2015 it was decided to adapt the story as a graphic novel with illustrations by Colleen Doran who also illustrated Gaimans Sandman.
Where to begin with this book? Well I only bought it yesterday and read it in half an hour !! It's a beautiful gothic story with the most amazing illustrations.
It follows Jack a young boy who happens across a troll when he's out exploring he walks under the trolls bridge.
What follows I won't spoil for you but it's a journey from boyhood to manhood with a twist at the end.
At first I liked the character Jack but as the story went on I liked him less but that's exactly how your supposed to feel.
I'm a huge fan of Neil Gaimans work and I wasn't disappointed with this graphic novel.
Colleen Doran has done this book a great justice with her beautiful drawings making the whole book come to life as you can see from the photos above.
This tale was first published in Neil Gaimans book Smoke and Mirrors as part of a collection of short stories. In 2015 it was decided to adapt the story as a graphic novel with illustrations by Colleen Doran who also illustrated Gaimans Sandman.
Where to begin with this book? Well I only bought it yesterday and read it in half an hour !! It's a beautiful gothic story with the most amazing illustrations.
It follows Jack a young boy who happens across a troll when he's out exploring he walks under the trolls bridge.
What follows I won't spoil for you but it's a journey from boyhood to manhood with a twist at the end.
At first I liked the character Jack but as the story went on I liked him less but that's exactly how your supposed to feel.
I'm a huge fan of Neil Gaimans work and I wasn't disappointed with this graphic novel.
Colleen Doran has done this book a great justice with her beautiful drawings making the whole book come to life as you can see from the photos above.
January 5, 2017
Neil Gaiman's short story Troll Bridge is given a graphic novel treatment. I haven't read the story but, as in many of his works, it reads like a familiar bit of mythology given a new twist. A young boy is out exploring the undeveloped countryside outside his English town (maybe it's the 1960s or 1970s?). He comes across a brick bridge under which a troll lives. The boy talks his way out of being eaten: he promises to come back when he is older, bigger, more satisfying to eat, and had a chance to see the world. A few times in his life he comes back to the bridge by accident, showing changes to his life but not much to his character. A fate worse than eating is in store for him.
The story is interesting and the art's spooky watercolor style fits well with the macabre events and tone. The main character is not as sympathetic as I'd like. His ultimate fate didn't resonate with me the way it should. I was fairly ambivalent. The whole thing is fairly short, making it a quick read.
The story is interesting and the art's spooky watercolor style fits well with the macabre events and tone. The main character is not as sympathetic as I'd like. His ultimate fate didn't resonate with me the way it should. I was fairly ambivalent. The whole thing is fairly short, making it a quick read.
October 27, 2016
Most of Neil Gaiman's work--or at least what I've read of it--has a dark undertone. Even more, I think, than I find in most of the urban fantasy I've read. This one is no exception. Usually, though, there's magic, joy, and sweetness, and the bright, pure nature of a character or two that shines through the darkness. Not in this one. The art is gorgeous, and the human character is drawn so beautifully you can see his evolving nature in his face and aspect. The troll is as gross and trolly as you'd expect, as well. It's a sad and dark little tale that leaves the reader chilled and haunted. It's very good.
December 29, 2015
Gaiman brings the supernatural to the ordinary world in this short story about a young boy encountering a troll. The troll wants the price of a life, but when has one lived long enough? I enjoy reading Gaiman's short stories because he picks you up and takes you to extraordinary places in just a few pages. He never lets the brevity of the story stand up short to the imagination or journey he creates.
July 29, 2014
Read this as part of Smoke and Mirrors book and loved it. I can sometimes relate to the character in a way that there are moments when you just want to give your life to someone else, but the thought eventually leaves my mind as i love the life I have, problems and all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews