Bitter Ground (review)

Written by Neil Gaiman

(Review by Cristian Matas)

“Bitter ground” is a short story written by Neil Gaiman who is probably best known for his works as an author of comic books and science fiction novels. The author’s peculiar and multiple interests are somehow reflected on this short story, which is surely peculiar and never normal at all from its first lines, leading the reader to ask himself continuously where the author is taking us and what the point is in the narration. It appears to be a weird story where the narrator, who is also the main character, puts himself into a series of accidental events. He looks like a person who has lost his identity and who is wandering along without any point at all in life. He is denying himself for the failure of a relationship, and he feels like he has no reason to live in this world anymore. This is the beginning of the story and also the leitmotiv of it and the gradual loss of life and identity.

Bourbon Street is the perfect scenario for narrator’s thoughts. His encounter with Macumba, the endemic occultism of the city, is simple and decisive. “Bitter Grounds” explores the fragile ties that secure us to our own individuality. Although there are some moments in which the readers have to be totally involved in the story in order to understand it, they can’t miss it at all.