Stardust: Heart's Desire

How does Gaiman explore the concept of desire (along with the explicitly capitalized "your Heart’s Desire") in Stardust? Is it a good thing, a bad thing, or somewhere in between?

I liked how he made Tristran not recognize his Heart's Desire even after he'd met her. It took the whole book for him to realize what it was and that he'd found it.

I suspect Tristan might have gone through with the plan of giving the star to Victoria, had she not given him his get-out clause. We know he's an honorable chap and may not have known how to go back on "the deal". It was a surprise to me that Victoria let him down so gently, knowing what a selfish little madam she is.

>3 .cris: How is Victoria a "selfish little madam"? In her first scene with Tristran she's dismissive of him, but I would be too if a boy was declaring he'd travel to Araby and bring back all manner of ridiculous things for "love" of me. We later learn she was contemplating a life-changing decision at the time, so I interpret her behavior more as someone who doesn't want a foolish boy following her like a puppy while she decides the course of her life. When she and Tristran meet after his adventures, she feels guilty over her careless words putting him in danger and is willing to stand by her bargain as penance.

>I think I'm combining my hazy memory of the film with the book in my judgement of her. I'll see if I change my low opinion of her after rewatching the film tonight.

>5 .cris: In the movie she *is* a spoiled brat, if I remember correctly.

I don't think the concept of desire is necessarily good or bad, here, but more of a natural thing that we all experience. The witch desired youth; the Thorns desired love; the sons of the 81st Lord of Stormhold desired power; Lady Una, the star, and, I'd argue perhaps Victoria Forester, desired freedom... we all desire something in life (or more than one thing). Gaiman explored these desires in a very readable, adventurous, and romantic way.

>2 SF_fan_mae: Very good point. Ultimately, he desired love, I think, and only until he was denied love by Victoria Forester, did he realize his true love for Yvaine. I think Gaiman did do a really good job of illustrating the evolution of Tristran's character throughout the story, I found it very relatable.

A common trope, but well executed, of not knowing what would actually bring you happiness, but instead going for those things that you think would - Tristain, the sons, the witches etc all had happiness in their grasp, and only Tristain managed to realise this and let go of what he thought he wanted, in order to realise it.