Neverwhere: A Novel by Neil Gaiman
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Book Reviews of Neverwhere: A Novel
Book Review: Richly Imaginative
Summary: 5 Stars
Neil Gaiman has obviously read much about old myths and the legends of "old" gods. He has taken his knowledge and produced three (American Gods, Anansi Boys and Neverwhere)wonderful fantasies. Other reviewers have summed up the plot to this one so I won't do it again. I will say that the plots of the three books mentioned above are very twisty and the author strives to avoid the obvious, very often going off in an unexpected direction that surprised this reader at least. I read the three books almost one after the other and I will say that the protagonist in each bears a similarity with that of the others. That is, he is a quiet sort of lost soul who almost inadvertently tumbles into a fantastic world. That is not a problem with these books but I sense a danger of the author falling into a kind of formula regarding his books.
The writing style is as imaginative as the plot, an increasingly rare attribute in novels these days.
For those who want more of such superior urban fantasy(for grown-ups)I would recommend also, "Winter's Tale" by Helprin and "Saint Jack and Toad" by Carraher, both of which are also thoroughly enjoyable. Winter's Tale and Saint Jack and Toad
Book Review: Just About the Perfect Book Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
This book starts out at a perfect pace, introducing the reader to the main character's ordinary life, and swiftly sweeps both the reader and this ordinary man into a dark reality from which there is no escape. By the end of the book, I had a real affection for the bewildered Richard, and for his friends in London below: the curiously powerful Door, the conniving marquis de Carabas, and even the single-minded bodyguard, Hunter. It's easy to become concerned in their fates, and they are all unique and likeable characters, each in their own ways.
This story is easy to relate to, as it follows a familiar plot: average person gets swept up in mysterious goings-on, meets allies, they have a quest to follow, with powerful enemies popping up now and then to interfere...or worse. This doesn't mean that the story is stale. Indeed, it constantly surprised me with its twists and turns, and its utter originality. But what makes the story familiar makes it comfortable; otherwise, the alien world in which Richard finds himself would be too cold and unknowable. Richard, being from London Above, gives the story its dose of reality, which of course makes the book all that more unnerving.
All fans of fantasy and modern thrillers will enjoy this book. This is the first book of Gaiman's that I've tried, and I'm looking forward to reading more!
Book Review: Surprised and pleased
Summary: 5 Stars
A friend highly recommended American Gods to me, I read it and was not very taken by it so wasn't going to bother with more Gaiman but Neverwhere came into my possession (book was left at my home by some visitor) so I read it and was swallowed up by it to the point where I almost called in "sick" so I could stay home and read. I think why I can relate to this book is because I have dreams that kind of run the same way--things that can't be possible are, things go topsy-turvy and you accept them as normal, people get dead (some come back to life later on), etc. And, heck, I LOVE these dreams although I'm not sure I could handle actually living like that all the time. And now I find this book was made into a tv show??? Did they record it to DVD? I hope so 'cause I just have to see this. This is what they ought to make movies from, not that "Rent" drivel or mediocre re-dos of "Sabrina." But then, I loved "Brazil" too. The first 10-20 pages of Gaiman's books are real dull because he's setting up the main character (and they tend to be kind of boring guys) but once the story gets going, it's a fun ride. I'm reading his other books and will try to hunt down that tv show too. Thanks, NG, always a great feeling to "discover" an author who write for me--and you're still young so I can look forward to good reading for the rest of my life!Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
This being my first Gaiman novel, I didn't quite know what to expect. I saw MirrorMask and was very impressed so I thought that I would enjoy the read, but I had no idea how much.
Richard Mayhewis a sympathetic if somewhat whiney character who does not seem to be particiapting in his own life very much. in fact he gives new meaning to the phrase mild mannered, drifting through a painfully avarage exsistance almost literally apologising for being alive. With a girlfriend who's in love with his "potential", only one real friend, and a job where he's barely noticed. Richard is hardly living on the edge. Then in one night with one random act of kindness his safe, sane, predictable life quite literally disappers. Richard finds himself traversing the eerie darkness, and nightmarish unreality of London Below. traveling with a motley crew that may very well get Richard killed. He unwillingly joins a quest to help a young girl with mysterious ablities solve the murder of her family. All while being persued by seemingly immortal assassins. Contracted by an anonymous employer.
Admittedly the first few chapters were slow, but it's completely worth hanging in there. Neverwhere is elegant, inventive, and as rich as a vintage photograph. I'll definetly be reading more from Mr. Gaiman
Book Review: One of my absolute favorite books
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a really interesting fantasy adventure that takes normal guy Richard Mayhew on a dangerous quest through the hidden and forgotten bits of London with a number of mysterious, fascinating, creepy, and wonderful characters. There are twists and turns, celebrations, frustrations, tube maps, betrayals, and reunions, there is confusion, hilarity, oddness, violence, terror, and leather clothing. It's fun, interesting, exciting, scary, and satisfying.
Neverwhere is London in book form. While reading it, I almost felt I was back in London, walking the streets and seeing all the buildings and storefronts and landmarks that Neil Gaiman described so accurately and put so perfectly in their real places. (So perfectly, in fact, that I felt like he must have repeatedly walked the same blocks--particularly Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road--that I and many others walk(ed) all the time.) The familiarity and recognition his description of the city streets caused was powerful. And then to be introduced to the personified neighborhoods of the city! And to learn about the extent of the tube lines! These and a thousand other things in this book touched me deeply. Plus, I found out that you can sing the lyrics of one song to the tune of another, and sometimes it works really well.