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The Price
Online fiction. Animated short story narrated by the author.
From SF Signal:
In 2006, filmmaker Christopher Salmon really, really wanted to create a 3D CG animated film of Neil Gaiman’s short story, “The Price”. So he created this proof-of-concept short animation to convince Neil to grant him the rights to the story.
Salmon posted his touching proof-of-concept short online.
http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013...
From SF Signal:
In 2006, filmmaker Christopher Salmon really, really wanted to create a 3D CG animated film of Neil Gaiman’s short story, “The Price”. So he created this proof-of-concept short animation to convince Neil to grant him the rights to the story.
Salmon posted his touching proof-of-concept short online.
http://www.sfsignal.com/archives/2013...
20 pages, audio/video
First published January 1, 1997
1 person is currently reading
325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 6, 2024
أعتقد انه أسلوب إنك تكتب قصة انت بطلها، فيها تفاصيل الناس عارفين انها حقيقية عنك، بس هتضيف ليها تويست فانتازي او تويست رعب، من أفضل خلطات القصص القصيرة حاليًا.
انت أغلب القصة بتقرأ لنيل جايمان و في دماغك ان دي قصة حقيقية، بس بعد كده بيخش شيطان بيتحول لاشكال متعددة القصة، و بتحاربه قطة سوداء كل يوم بيزيد جروحها اللي بتاخدها من الشيطان ده.
اتحولت من قصة واقعية لقصة خيالية مرعبة في لحظة و بجملة.
العزيز نيل جايمان في أفضل حالاته
القصة مترجمة في مجموعة المترجم 2 لهشام فهمي.
انت أغلب القصة بتقرأ لنيل جايمان و في دماغك ان دي قصة حقيقية، بس بعد كده بيخش شيطان بيتحول لاشكال متعددة القصة، و بتحاربه قطة سوداء كل يوم بيزيد جروحها اللي بتاخدها من الشيطان ده.
اتحولت من قصة واقعية لقصة خيالية مرعبة في لحظة و بجملة.
العزيز نيل جايمان في أفضل حالاته
القصة مترجمة في مجموعة المترجم 2 لهشام فهمي.
June 9, 2016
5 Stars!
Because Neil freaking Gaiman! Is there anything written by him that's bad?
This story centers a family with a predilection to taking in stray cats.
This is a sad story that brought tears to my eyes. It turns out that the devil visits this family every now and then. When Cat is on the porch and can take him on, the family is safe (while Cat sustains serious injury). When Cat is taken to the basement to recover, bad things happen to the family members. So the father decides to keep him on the porch each night. This is heartbreaking.
You can read this short story online.
P.S. You can see the short animation here. There will be a 3D CG animated film based on this story.
Because Neil freaking Gaiman! Is there anything written by him that's bad?
This story centers a family with a predilection to taking in stray cats.
And then there is the black cat. Who has no other name than the Black Cat, and who turned up almost a month ago.
That cat, my wife had said when he first arrived, is a person.
This is a sad story that brought tears to my eyes. It turns out that the devil visits this family every now and then. When Cat is on the porch and can take him on, the family is safe (while Cat sustains serious injury). When Cat is taken to the basement to recover, bad things happen to the family members. So the father decides to keep him on the porch each night. This is heartbreaking.
I wonder what we did to deserve the Black Cat. I wonder who sent him. And, selfish and scared, I wonder how much more he has to give.
You can read this short story online.
P.S. You can see the short animation here. There will be a 3D CG animated film based on this story.
May 10, 2021
That's really lovely, that is. It's my favorite Gaiman story, this year, at least.
***
I've had several black cats over the years. The first one ran away quite soon after my father brought it home for me. Sometime in adulthood I realized he was probably hit by a car one one of his jaunts, by when the topic came up in one of the innumerable conversations my mother said no, that he had just disappeared. That was Sneaky.
Spooky's mother was a Siamese, but none of the litter looked like her. It didn't take my parents long to find some black ones free to a good home. Kittens were always being given away then, most people let their pets wander at will, and no one ever got them fixed. Over the years we gave away three litters before my parents got tired of it.The kitten I picked was immediately devoted to me: we went on walks together, and she slept next to me, both tucked neatly under the covers, bigger and smaller spoons. When I had spaghetti, or green beans, or ice cream, my favorites, she was happy to eat whatever was left in my little dish. Later, in the teen years we would share a nacho cheese Doritos snack after school, when we had the house to ourselves. When she was four and I nine she was hit by a car on our rural route. She made a full recovery but the fur the vet had shaved off her left foreleg grew back in a white stripe. People in the horror comics and ghost stories I read were often having their hair turn white after a shock, so that seemed fair.
During the fall of my senior year in high school Spooky had some sort of collapse. We nursed her along for a few days, then I went away to a state theater or forensics competition for the weekend. Mom took Spooky to the vet while I was gone, knowing that I couldn't have done it, no matter that it was kinder. For the rest of that year Spooky haunted me very sweetly, walking into my room through the closed door and hopping up on the bed to spoon with me while I read, otherwise alone.
***
After graduation I went off to do summerstock, and my parents disassembled my bedroom furniture, packing my remaining childhood in boxes that filled the space, leaving only a clear path to the closet so that I could grab my fall clothes on my way through to college. The following June, they were transferred and I was already moving through the succession of dorms, houses, and apartments I shared with roommates over the next six years. Three universities in two states to get one undistinguished degree with twice as many hours as necessary. Fourteen times I moved, packing a futon and the milk crates that held my clothes and all my books.
When at last I finally got a place of my own, my parents brought me Berkeley as a housewarming gift. He was a perfect minature, too small to be weaned probably, so in that smallest and cheapest of studio apartments I lost him several times a day. Whenever he stopped moving, really. Although born and somewhat raised in an actual barn, he had exquisite manners. He thrived and grew, tall and thin and dignified. Sadly, my allergy to cats became uncontrollable so he went to live with my parents, who had two of his littermates already. He glommed on to Mom and vexed my father. My dad had this weird relationship with pets that was a perpetual battle of will. dad had many seemingly arbitrary rules about where they could be when, which meant he would be thwarted in his efforts to put the cat out when he wanted ro go to bed, because of course the heard him coming and put themselves well out of reach under the bed: Flintstones slapstick stuff. It made him crazy, but also he loved how smart they were.
So Berkeley became Mom's which was a comfort when my father died just a few years later. He kept her company until she was introduced to the charming man who became her next very beloved and beloving husband.
***
Meanwhile, I married a man who also loved cats, we got a little house together and adopted the first pair of what have since become a series of cat siblings None have been black. Now the kids are grown and I have acquired a mildly alarming amount of furniture as well as boxes containing the childhood of my own kids. Now I am grown old enough to start looking forward again. When insomnia strikes I imagine the dream home of my eventual retirement: currently my favorite is early twentieth century, something really big enough to comfortably house a couple or two with or without their own children. There is a good-sized attic in this old and slightly disreputable imaginary house which must be within pleasant walking distance of at least one good library. There I will be the crone in the attic, possibly batty, definitely witchy, striped stockings and all. My attic will have many bookcases and windows to sit in the sun and look down from, and it will also be a sanctuary for black cats, who are less popular than other colors, supposedly. There should be at least three at all times, but I can't see calling more than one Hex.
It's pretty to think so.
***
I've had several black cats over the years. The first one ran away quite soon after my father brought it home for me. Sometime in adulthood I realized he was probably hit by a car one one of his jaunts, by when the topic came up in one of the innumerable conversations my mother said no, that he had just disappeared. That was Sneaky.
Spooky's mother was a Siamese, but none of the litter looked like her. It didn't take my parents long to find some black ones free to a good home. Kittens were always being given away then, most people let their pets wander at will, and no one ever got them fixed. Over the years we gave away three litters before my parents got tired of it.The kitten I picked was immediately devoted to me: we went on walks together, and she slept next to me, both tucked neatly under the covers, bigger and smaller spoons. When I had spaghetti, or green beans, or ice cream, my favorites, she was happy to eat whatever was left in my little dish. Later, in the teen years we would share a nacho cheese Doritos snack after school, when we had the house to ourselves. When she was four and I nine she was hit by a car on our rural route. She made a full recovery but the fur the vet had shaved off her left foreleg grew back in a white stripe. People in the horror comics and ghost stories I read were often having their hair turn white after a shock, so that seemed fair.
During the fall of my senior year in high school Spooky had some sort of collapse. We nursed her along for a few days, then I went away to a state theater or forensics competition for the weekend. Mom took Spooky to the vet while I was gone, knowing that I couldn't have done it, no matter that it was kinder. For the rest of that year Spooky haunted me very sweetly, walking into my room through the closed door and hopping up on the bed to spoon with me while I read, otherwise alone.
***
After graduation I went off to do summerstock, and my parents disassembled my bedroom furniture, packing my remaining childhood in boxes that filled the space, leaving only a clear path to the closet so that I could grab my fall clothes on my way through to college. The following June, they were transferred and I was already moving through the succession of dorms, houses, and apartments I shared with roommates over the next six years. Three universities in two states to get one undistinguished degree with twice as many hours as necessary. Fourteen times I moved, packing a futon and the milk crates that held my clothes and all my books.
When at last I finally got a place of my own, my parents brought me Berkeley as a housewarming gift. He was a perfect minature, too small to be weaned probably, so in that smallest and cheapest of studio apartments I lost him several times a day. Whenever he stopped moving, really. Although born and somewhat raised in an actual barn, he had exquisite manners. He thrived and grew, tall and thin and dignified. Sadly, my allergy to cats became uncontrollable so he went to live with my parents, who had two of his littermates already. He glommed on to Mom and vexed my father. My dad had this weird relationship with pets that was a perpetual battle of will. dad had many seemingly arbitrary rules about where they could be when, which meant he would be thwarted in his efforts to put the cat out when he wanted ro go to bed, because of course the heard him coming and put themselves well out of reach under the bed: Flintstones slapstick stuff. It made him crazy, but also he loved how smart they were.
So Berkeley became Mom's which was a comfort when my father died just a few years later. He kept her company until she was introduced to the charming man who became her next very beloved and beloving husband.
***
Meanwhile, I married a man who also loved cats, we got a little house together and adopted the first pair of what have since become a series of cat siblings None have been black. Now the kids are grown and I have acquired a mildly alarming amount of furniture as well as boxes containing the childhood of my own kids. Now I am grown old enough to start looking forward again. When insomnia strikes I imagine the dream home of my eventual retirement: currently my favorite is early twentieth century, something really big enough to comfortably house a couple or two with or without their own children. There is a good-sized attic in this old and slightly disreputable imaginary house which must be within pleasant walking distance of at least one good library. There I will be the crone in the attic, possibly batty, definitely witchy, striped stockings and all. My attic will have many bookcases and windows to sit in the sun and look down from, and it will also be a sanctuary for black cats, who are less popular than other colors, supposedly. There should be at least three at all times, but I can't see calling more than one Hex.
It's pretty to think so.
November 1, 2019
Very short story.. But the creepiest enough.
May 10, 2016
Omg! How does Neil Gaiman do it?! He makes gems out of words, even if it's just over 20 pages! Making wonderful, original stories is so natural to him!
I can imagine this as a perfect campfire story. It slightly reminded me of Ocean at the End of the Lane and that made me miss that world. Plus, this story involves cats (which I'm a huge fan of!).
This was a bit eerie and creepy at times but that's what I love the most about Gaiman's writing. Can't wait to read more from him.
I can imagine this as a perfect campfire story. It slightly reminded me of Ocean at the End of the Lane and that made me miss that world. Plus, this story involves cats (which I'm a huge fan of!).
This was a bit eerie and creepy at times but that's what I love the most about Gaiman's writing. Can't wait to read more from him.
April 18, 2014
I didn't love this story because I love cats. *Liar Liar pants on fire!* Ok I did! But mostly love the fact that Gaiman took a Black Cat synonymous with evil and its cousins and made it a hero.
Really sweet story.
Really sweet story.
August 27, 2018
Read online at: http://www.bitchwick.com/amacker/bean...
I also viewed it at: http://vimeo.com/56573423#at=975
Both experiences of the story are highly enjoyable.
I also viewed it at: http://vimeo.com/56573423#at=975
Both experiences of the story are highly enjoyable.
April 13, 2020
Okay, very short story, but I loved it! Is it because I love cats or because I love Neil Gaiman? Maybe a little bit of both. But he does a great job creating a story in 2400 words that creates atmosphere and leaves you loving cats just a little bit more.
October 8, 2018
Excellent!
January 21, 2015
من إيقاع هادئ لمنزل ريفي لمواجهة مع الشيطان ذاته، هكذا تكون عوالم نييل جايمان.
يغريك ببداية هادئة وأسماء ووصف لقطط صغيرة، ثم يقحم تغيير بسيط تجعل الأحداث تتصاعد حتي تصل في النهاية إلي مواجهة الشيطان.
لطالما آمنت أن الشياطين تسكن القطط - أو علي الأقل، القطط هي تجسيد للشياطين وليست مجرد كائنات سنورية لطيفة المعشر - ، تلك المخلوقات السخيفة والمرعبة. لكن أن تقوم قطة بالتصدي للشيطان، فهذه حبكة لم أتوقعها.
كم بقي لها؟ لا أحد يعلم. ماذا حدث قبل مجيئها؟ ماذا سيحدث بعد رحيلها؟ ولماذا يأتي هذا الشيطان بالأساس؟ كلها أسئلة بلا إجابة.
استمتعت بقراءة هذه القصة. كثيرا.
يغريك ببداية هادئة وأسماء ووصف لقطط صغيرة، ثم يقحم تغيير بسيط تجعل الأحداث تتصاعد حتي تصل في النهاية إلي مواجهة الشيطان.
لطالما آمنت أن الشياطين تسكن القطط - أو علي الأقل، القطط هي تجسيد للشياطين وليست مجرد كائنات سنورية لطيفة المعشر - ، تلك المخلوقات السخيفة والمرعبة. لكن أن تقوم قطة بالتصدي للشيطان، فهذه حبكة لم أتوقعها.
كم بقي لها؟ لا أحد يعلم. ماذا حدث قبل مجيئها؟ ماذا سيحدث بعد رحيلها؟ ولماذا يأتي هذا الشيطان بالأساس؟ كلها أسئلة بلا إجابة.
استمتعت بقراءة هذه القصة. كثيرا.
June 9, 2025
The last time I read a story written by Neil Gaiman was back in school, perhaps grade 6 or 7.
I am embarrassed to say that I do not recall what was the story that was taught to me; however, remembering the name of this writer gives me a bittersweet moment.
I thought I would be reading about economics, finance or business, considering the title itself only to be kind of fouled that “price” in this context does not imply any term of monetary values, rather it has a shade of meaning. It is about what you gain from your own doings and deeds such as in “This is the price of committing so and so”.
I am in love with the character of “The Black Cat” and how Gaiman makes it prominent throughout the narration. My apologies to cat lovers, but even though I love cats, AT TIMES, I find the act of loving such an animal is overrated (I am terribly sorry but I have to be honest).
BUT THIS STORY MADE ME LOOK FORWARD TO ANY STORY WHICH HAS A CAT AS A CHARACTER.
I would not lie, part of me loved this story because it gave me the coziness that Ghibli movies usually have an impact on me.
Writing a short story is quite challenging but getting me immersed in this way was joyful.
I am embarrassed to say that I do not recall what was the story that was taught to me; however, remembering the name of this writer gives me a bittersweet moment.
I thought I would be reading about economics, finance or business, considering the title itself only to be kind of fouled that “price” in this context does not imply any term of monetary values, rather it has a shade of meaning. It is about what you gain from your own doings and deeds such as in “This is the price of committing so and so”.
I am in love with the character of “The Black Cat” and how Gaiman makes it prominent throughout the narration. My apologies to cat lovers, but even though I love cats, AT TIMES, I find the act of loving such an animal is overrated (I am terribly sorry but I have to be honest).
BUT THIS STORY MADE ME LOOK FORWARD TO ANY STORY WHICH HAS A CAT AS A CHARACTER.
I would not lie, part of me loved this story because it gave me the coziness that Ghibli movies usually have an impact on me.
Writing a short story is quite challenging but getting me immersed in this way was joyful.
July 15, 2017
Eine wundervolle Kurzgeschichte für Katzenliebhaber. Es ist immer wieder faszinierend wie Gaiman aus einem scheinbar harmlosen Alltagsleben, eine schaurig schöne Wohlfühlgeschichte macht.
September 23, 2025
This was a short story. And by short, I mean literally 2 pages. It was like an essay really. I felt like I had to read it 3 times to get the point of it at the end. It was going well, I was getting it, and then, it just fell off and it didn’t make sense.
July 14, 2013
I am new to Neil Gaiman, so naturally I 'googled' him. I came across one of his interviews where he mentioned one of his books called The Price, and so here I am.
The Price is about a black cat, aptly named the Black Cat, and it's being narrated by the author himself. And it has a role that is very unlike those of conventional black cats.
At first, reading this story felt like I was slowly sinking into its words. I couldn't really understand what the story was about (as you can see, there isn't anything you can call a blurb), but I kept reading on because I was completely drawn in. I wanted to know what happened next.
That's the magic of this story. I was so completely immersed that I could feel what the narrator was feeling. Whether it was pity, concern, shock or dread, I was right there beside the narrator. Mind you, this was at two in the morning (don't ask me why that is significant - it just is).
This is one of those stories that shouldn't have a blurb. That's the only way it can be thoroughly enjoyed. I know I did.
The Price is about a black cat, aptly named the Black Cat, and it's being narrated by the author himself. And it has a role that is very unlike those of conventional black cats.
At first, reading this story felt like I was slowly sinking into its words. I couldn't really understand what the story was about (as you can see, there isn't anything you can call a blurb), but I kept reading on because I was completely drawn in. I wanted to know what happened next.
That's the magic of this story. I was so completely immersed that I could feel what the narrator was feeling. Whether it was pity, concern, shock or dread, I was right there beside the narrator. Mind you, this was at two in the morning (don't ask me why that is significant - it just is).
This is one of those stories that shouldn't have a blurb. That's the only way it can be thoroughly enjoyed. I know I did.
March 2, 2015
A very soft theme at the start: Giving you names and vivid descriptions then out of the blue, hits you with a tiny detail that keeps dragging you with each line, each sentence, each word, to god knows where and then BAAM! It's The Devil.
I've always had this feeling towards cats. So far from fear, not particularly hate either. It's just that in some way I viewed those grotesque creatures as a simulation of the Devil, a version that you get to see, ever so often. But a BLACK cat standing to a Devil? Now that's some twisted good shit.
Who is the Devil? Why does the Devil come? What is it that he particularly causes? I never got the slightest idea but did I enjoy this? Absolutely.
I've always had this feeling towards cats. So far from fear, not particularly hate either. It's just that in some way I viewed those grotesque creatures as a simulation of the Devil, a version that you get to see, ever so often. But a BLACK cat standing to a Devil? Now that's some twisted good shit.
Who is the Devil? Why does the Devil come? What is it that he particularly causes? I never got the slightest idea but did I enjoy this? Absolutely.
March 5, 2015
Incomplete at parts. I mean, I wouldn't mind reading a whole novel as long as I understand what the hell is going on but this was just (??). Overall though, highly enjoyable.
August 28, 2017
As always, Gaiman has drawn me in and captivated me with his writing, creating vivid images, building suspense and tugging on those heartstrings.
October 14, 2020
Thoughts
When talking about The Price, the narrator is speaking of the price the black cat pays in its own health and safety to protect the narrator and their family. It was a rather interesting twist, because I thought the story was going to be how the black cat is bad luck.
I read this online at http://www.bitchwick.com/amacker/bean...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2024
Un hombre relata como la llegada de un gato a su casa trastorna la vida familiar; al llegar, parece uno más de los gatos que ha rescatado, pero pronto se dará cuenta de algo mas...Es un relato corto pero contundente ¡Donde un gato negro es el protagonista!. Neil Gaiman nunca decepciona. Si recomiendo.
November 26, 2020
This was a great story. I am a sucker for cat stories, and this had an amazing stray cat in it that tackled a demon every night to protect the family who had adopted him, earning him severe wounds over and over again, but also the love and thankfulness of his new family.
December 21, 2020
Certainly a creative story, but Gaiman wants to have his devil at the exclusion of God.
This read will be quite creepy if you forget that you cannot have a devil without a Creator.
The ending was spectacular as the narrator admits his own selfishness in wondering how long his protector will live.
This read will be quite creepy if you forget that you cannot have a devil without a Creator.
The ending was spectacular as the narrator admits his own selfishness in wondering how long his protector will live.
April 9, 2018
Extremely glad I listened to this during daylight hours. Excellent dramatization!!!!!!
August 23, 2020
Campfire story, Quite creepy and a bit heartbreaking-> typocal Gaiman
About animals loyalty, love to people
About animals loyalty, love to people
February 5, 2021
Short story, sad and thoughtful. Makes you wonder about the price someone else may pay for you, and the consequences of selfishness.
February 28, 2021
Super short online story. Insightful.
Read
March 4, 2022I read this story for school. It was really cool. I love the storytelling.
April 24, 2022
Omg kitty. I loved this one
May 29, 2022
Ok, I'm in mystified awe and blubbering tears. I can't say any more.
July 26, 2022
Chilling. I read the short story online, but this animated short is the only representation of the story on Goodreads.
September 7, 2022
Wow so creepy but so good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews