Rating: 
Summary: Big Disappointment
Review: Everybody else seems to have loved it. Can't one be a connoisseur and still be objective? The first two (Preludes and Nocturnes and The Doll's House) are far superior to Dream Country. In fact, I almost feel the purchase was a rip off, except that "A Midsummer Night's Dream" comes close to making up for it. The thing about the cats... whatever. I think it's cool that the script for "Calliope" was included, but overall my mind was on A Season of Mist before I was even midway through Dream Country.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe not the best, but...
Review: I just want to offset these other reviews a little and point something out about them: Even though they all say that it's the worst of the series, or at any rate, not the best, and they use some pretty disappointed language to speak of it, the lowest anyone gave it was three out of five stars. That's still pretty high, and I don't think that all the reviews remembered to point out that even a low-quality Sandman collection is still an amazing work of fiction. Put simply, the Sandman is one of the most amazing stories I've ever read. I would argue that someone who wants to read the entire Sandman story should read the collections of shorts in addition to the stories which directly serve the greater plot. Dream Country and Fables and Reflections help create atmosphere, and they reveal things about Dream's past and personality. Also, it must be noted that "The Kindly Ones," in wrapping up the story line, uses at least one element from every single one of the eight collections before it, including this one-- Puck's in it, remember? So this does serve the greater plot. I thought that "Midsummer Night's Dream" was a brilliant story, and I say poo to all the reviewers who weren't as impressed by it. The idea is brilliant, the writing is fantastic, that final scene is incredible... and the story contains arguably the best quote in the entire Sandman series: "Something need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow truths that will endure long after mere fact is but dust and ashes, and forgot." Dream Country is worth buying for that story alone, and the others are also strong, particularly "Dream of a Thousand Cats." It's worth buying so that you understand Puck's involvement in "The Kindly Ones." Plus, wouldn't you want to own the whole collection?
Rating: 
Summary: More Stories from the Realms Beyond
Review: In between the glorious and groundbreaking story-arcs of 'Doll's House' and 'Season of Mists', Mr. Gaiman took some time off with four individual one-issue long stories in the Sandman universe; these are collected in 'Dream Country'. Technically, it can probably be considered the least important of Sandman collections, and should take second priority to volumes 1, 2, 4 and 5. Still, 'Dream Country' is Gaiman at his best, and each of these stories is important and well worth the purchase. If you're a Gaiman fan, it's an essential part of your library.The stories in 'Dream Country' are important in the development of the series because the Sandman himself, Morpheus, Lord of Dreams, plays in them only a background role. That was the foundation for one of the elements that made the series great - that it's not just the story of one hero; the hero can be himself, an active character, but just as often he is simply the essence of something bigger. That is precisely the role Morpheus plays in 'Calliope' and 'Dream of a Thousand Cats', both with splendid dark artwork by Kelley Jones. 'Calliope' is a splendid philosophical tale of urban mythology that shows Gaiman's unique and original attitude towards storytelling and inspiration. 'Dream of a Thousand Cats' Is my favorite in this collection and probably the most underrated story in the Sandman catalogue; though 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is the celebrated story that made history by being the first 'comic book' to win the World Fantasy Award (for best short story of the year), I personally find 'Dream of a Thousand Cats' to be superior by far. Though it tells a very small tale, and one that is without significance in the greater continuity of the Sandman saga, it's gorgeously written and has a great atmosphere about it. It also gets across Neil's ideas about the importance of dreams and stories better than any of the others. The artwork, to, is brilliant. 'Facade', finally, is probably the weakest story in the collection. It's important, if nothing else, for being the first story in the Sandman series in which Morpheus does not appear at all, even as a guest. Instead, it features his older sister, Death - one of the Endless and one of the most lovable characters in Gaiman's universe, as well as does a great job in resurrecting a forgotten character from DC's history, Element Girl; Neil does as amazingly in rasterizing her as he did with other old comics characters like Lyta Hall AKA The Fury, or the absurd Sandman character from the 60s. Last but not least, there's a delicious bonus for those who buy 'Dream Country' - the complete, original script to 'Calliope'. It's rare indeed for a writer to reveal to his readers his work in progress, and this script is fascinating to both fans of Gaiman and aspiring writers of graphic literature, as it gives us a precious glimpse into Neil's precise and masterful scriptwriting process. All this and more reasons for buying 'Dream Country', especially if you're hoping for a complete Sandman collection. It's one of the best 'comic books' you can find.
Rating:
Summary: More Stories from the Realms Beyond
Review: In between the glorious and groundbreaking story-arcs of `Doll's House' and `Season of Mists', Mr. Gaiman took some time off with four individual one-issue long stories in the Sandman universe; these are collected in `Dream Country'. Technically, it can probably be considered the least important of Sandman collections, and should take second priority to volumes 1, 2, 4 and 5. Still, `Dream Country' is Gaiman at his best, and each of these stories is important and well worth the purchase. If you're a Gaiman fan, it's an essential part of your library. The stories in `Dream Country' are important in the development of the series because the Sandman himself, Morpheus, Lord of Dreams, plays in them only a background role. That was the foundation for one of the elements that made the series great - that it's not just the story of one hero; the hero can be himself, an active character, but just as often he is simply the essence of something bigger. That is precisely the role Morpheus plays in `Calliope' and `Dream of a Thousand Cats', both with splendid dark artwork by Kelley Jones. `Calliope' is a splendid philosophical tale of urban mythology that shows Gaiman's unique and original attitude towards storytelling and inspiration. `Dream of a Thousand Cats' Is my favorite in this collection and probably the most underrated story in the Sandman catalogue; though `A Midsummer Night's Dream' is the celebrated story that made history by being the first `comic book' to win the World Fantasy Award (for best short story of the year), I personally find `Dream of a Thousand Cats' to be superior by far. Though it tells a very small tale, and one that is without significance in the greater continuity of the Sandman saga, it's gorgeously written and has a great atmosphere about it. It also gets across Neil's ideas about the importance of dreams and stories better than any of the others. The artwork, to, is brilliant. `Facade', finally, is probably the weakest story in the collection. It's important, if nothing else, for being the first story in the Sandman series in which Morpheus does not appear at all, even as a guest. Instead, it features his older sister, Death - one of the Endless and one of the most lovable characters in Gaiman's universe, as well as does a great job in resurrecting a forgotten character from DC's history, Element Girl; Neil does as amazingly in rasterizing her as he did with other old comics characters like Lyta Hall AKA The Fury, or the absurd Sandman character from the 60s. Last but not least, there's a delicious bonus for those who buy `Dream Country' - the complete, original script to `Calliope'. It's rare indeed for a writer to reveal to his readers his work in progress, and this script is fascinating to both fans of Gaiman and aspiring writers of graphic literature, as it gives us a precious glimpse into Neil's precise and masterful scriptwriting process. All this and more reasons for buying `Dream Country', especially if you're hoping for a complete Sandman collection. It's one of the best `comic books' you can find.
Rating:
Summary: dREM Country
Review: It must have occurred to Neil Gaiman that a character like The Sandman presented an infinitely difficult challenge. I mean, here's a character that is all powerful... all the time. Oh sure, the first Sandman collection (Preludes and Nocturnes) gave us some brief moments of un-Sandmanlike frailty. There was a distinct possibility at the beginning that dear old Morpheus might come to some serious harm. With "Dream Country", however, it's perfectly clear that our hero is impossible to defeat. This places his author in an interesting position. Instead of your usual good-guy-fights-bad-guy-and-almost-loses-then-at-last-wins, the story has become more focused on far more infinite matters. Suddenly we're reading stories in which muses are the prisoners of writers, where cats used to be gods, and the origins of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" are explained. When your hero has supreme powers, things can get a lot more interesting.
This particular collection contains four stories, all varying in type and quality. The first is the most disturbing, and probably also the best. In it, the muse Calliope has been captured and imprisoned by a writer for sixty years. Now he's just traded her to an upcoming new author and her torment begins anew. Fortunately her one-time lover, Morpheus, has recently been freed from his own prison. And he doesn't look kindly on jailors. The second story, "A Dream of a Thousand Cats" opines the theory that once cats were the rulers of the world until humans dreamed themselves into control. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" shows the true source of Shakespeare's brilliant creation and promises future and highly amusing sequels. Finally, "Façade" (the weakest of the bunch) shows Element Girl seeking Death's help.
Stronger than the previous collection "The Doll's House", this book is an interesting series of conjectures. Though the first story hurt to read, it was well thought through. Gaiman has even added, at the end of this book, the original script as he wrote it for that story. Unfortunately, artists Kelley Jones and Malcom Jones III decided that in spite of Gaiman's requests that his tortured Calliope be more like a Holocaust victim than a supermodel, this is the comic book world and the supermodel idea won out in the end. Which sucks and almost ruins the story (once you know Gaiman's original intent). So naughty naughty to the Joneses. Other tales fare better. The one involving cats, in some ways, shows why "The Sandman" has always been the one graphic novel read by as many women as men. And no one can deny the enticing "Midsummer". I haven't read any Sandman comics past this book, but I am truly hoping for a "Tempest" based story to come up at some point as well. As for "Façade", it's weak. One of those in-jokes for people who enjoy old comic book superheroes. If you're not familiar with Element Girl then the story doesn't make a heckuva lotta sense. Why include it? Because, I suspect, someone was clamoring for that hottie Death to make another appearance. But it's just a mildly depressing story that ends oddly. I didn't know what to make of it. I just knew it was poorly thought out.
Nonetheless, the tales in this book still hold together well in the end. I wouldn't hand this book to someone trying to decide whether or not to even read "The Sandman", of course. This is not a good Sandman starter novel. But for those already hooked fans, it has its charms. A fun dwelling on the nature of our own R.E.M. cycles.
Rating:
Summary: Good, solid craft
Review: It's all I want in a comic. There is a loose connection from the un-named master of dreams, through a cat, a minor goddess, an elfin king, and an angst-ridden female Metamorpho. (That's a 60s comic character, one I had to look up.) Gaiman's stories are always good, and these are no exception. Vess' art is uniquely well-suited to the Midsummer Night's Dream - maybe not to the play, but certainly to the audience. His slender lines can be as fragile as hair or sharp as a razor's edge, all within one panel. The other artists, also good, follow their own visions in telling Gaiman's stories. It's a comic. I can't take it too seriously, even though I've been reading Vess since Star*Reach. It's good, though, and I'll be coming back for more - lots more.
Rating:
Summary: It's all about the stories
Review: Just four tales in this book but they are some of the finest in the series. The Muse Calliope is held captive by a blocked writer, A cat tries to convince others that the world can be changed if they all have the same dream, Shakespeare fulfills one condition of the deal he made with Dream, and a minor DC heroine looks for release from her nightmare existence. Dream plays a minor but pivotal role in these tales; tales designed to show that the importance of dreams is really the key to the series, not Dream as a character. Of particular beauty is Charles Vess's art on "A Midsummer Night's Dream" where he is equally adept at showing Richard Burbage's players as he is at showing the denizens of Faerie. Of particular interest is Gaiman's script for "Calliope" which shows the detail with which these stories are planned.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the best!
Review: Of all the Gaiman graphic novels this one is my favorite. One needn't be a SANDMAN fan to enjoy these four fantasy tales from "Calliope" to "A Midummer Night's Dream". They are well illustrated and very well written. Oddly enough, Gaiman's enormous success has resulted in a fairly mean spirited backlash... Know this: Neil Gaiman is popular because his work is very, very good and he deserves his praise and success. "The Dream of a Thousand Cats" is an especially charming conceit about a world ruled by the furry critters and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a clever mesh of SANDMAN and SHAKESPEARE that makes me wonder if SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE didn't take a page out of this book. Highly recommended. Read and you will enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: I Do Not Like This Particular Book! The Worst So Far.......
Review: Okay, the Sandman "Dream Country" is a collection of short stories that are related to the characters in the series, but unrelated in terms of the main storyline that's been going on in "Preludes and Nocturnes" and "The Doll's House." I hate when good storylines like that in "The Doll's House (Vol. 2)" get cut off with something unrelated like this book. There are four stories in this collection and they are as follows Calliope (which is very disturbing and my favorite), Tale of Thousand Cats (a real yawner in my opinion), A Mid Summer's Night Dream (another yawner that apparently won the World Fantasy Award), and then there is Facade (which is my second favorite and features an appearance of Dream's sister, Death).
I would not be so down on this book if it was in relation to the actual story that is unfolding. What was great about "The Doll's House" is it left off where "Preludes and Nocturnes" started. "The Doll's House" also introduced some new characters to the fold. Really, really well written books, but I feel that "Dream Country" though amusing and somewhat entertaining, is just not a good Sandman book. I gave this book three stars because while I dislike it, it is a far better read then alot of crap that's out there today. I mean don't we comic readers get tired of men and women running around in tights pretending to be somthing they're not. I know I do, but I just do not like this particular book. Definitely, the worst of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Must-read Sandman short stories
Review: The earliest two Sandman collections are good but the third, Dream Country, is great. The book features four single-issue stories in which the saga's title character, the mystical king of dreams, moves to the background (he is not even in one tale). His preeminence will not be missed, however because one cannot read stories this smart, imaginative, creepy and all around superb and feel that anything is lacking. The first story is "Calliope," in which a one-hit novelist enslaves an actual muse and becomes as productive and popular as Stephen King. The author is not a cruel person, but he cannot set her free if he wants his flow of ideas to continue. Gaiman provides a thoroughly creepy dissertation on the madness of writers and Kelly Jones' darkly astounding drawings of attics, faces and shadows perfectly complements the tale. The second is "Dream of a Thousand Cats," in which a feline prophetess shares her vision of a cat-ruled world; one that is open to her brethren if they only believe. Gaiman creates a religious outlook perfect for these slinky, self-satisfied animals and, just as in "Calliope," Jones' art is a major asset. Personality and mystique are translated wonderfully in his cat eyes and cat body language. This is Dream Country's best story and one of the best issues of a comic book series I have ever read. The third, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," famously won the World Fantasy Award for best short story, the first and only time a comic book has done so. In that tale, Shakespeare and his troupe perform the title play in front of the fairy creatures it is based upon. It is a wonderful parody/tribute to the renowned playwright. The fourth, "Facade," is one of two times the use of a superhero in a Sandman story works (The other is the story acrh The Kindly Ones, which practically stars Lyta Hall, formerly The Fury). The hero is Element Girl, a sidekick to Metamorpho who vanished in the late 1960s without much notice. "Facade" tells of how her super-powers turned on her, how she became a tormented agoraphobe and how she finally found release. Dream Country is Sandman at its best; an intelligent and unique series that not only represents comic books at their best, but speculative fiction in general. I cannot recommend this volume more highly.
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