Books2Movies Club discussion

Not many are familiar with the fact that Neverwhere is actually a novelisation of a 1996 BBC TV same-name mini-series, Neverwhere, story of which Gaiman had written together with Lenny Henry. There is also a short story related to a series, How The Marquis Got His Coat Back, published in Rogues, an anthology edited by George R.R. Martin. To make situation weirder, a comic book, a stage and a radio play were later made taking the material from the novel rather than from the series. Gaiman announced the sequel for the book, The Seven Sisters, is also in the works. Any newer adaptation will make the relations even murkier :)

The story of both the novel and the TV series are said to be similar, set in a fantastical parallel world of London Below, only the novel expands upon bits that were not explored further in the series. I hope you'll enjoy both. If you've seen the Chicago stage play or heard the radio plays, please tell us! I am so curious to hear from you what you think. The radio play cast seems awesome, from James McAvoy, Romola Garai, and Natalie Dormer to Benedict Cumberbatch, Sophie Okonedo, and David Harewood.

Hi Books2Movies Members,
Is anyone else joining in on the reading of Neverwhere? This is my first Gaiman novel, and I just started listening to the audio read by the author. I also picked up the graphic novel, and am enjoying it as well. Thoughts so far ... weird, but oh so interesting. I love his description and details. I am curious to see where this goes. How far along are you? Thoughts so far?

Kimberly wrote: "Hi Books2Movies Members,
Is anyone else joining in on the reading of Neverwhere? This is my first Gaiman novel, and I just started listening to the audio read by the author...."

I've just started reading. The introduction surprised me a bit. The book apparently came to be mostly because the series omitted so much of his ideas. (I suppose that was mostly budget-wise, not because they were absurd - British TV was never shy in terms of absurdness they can broadcast). Anyway. I feel I must write down that quote from the introduction. It vividly depicts desperation that every writer surely feels at least once in a while when being only one rim in the big wheel that makes a film / TV production:

Neverwhere as a novel began for me as we started making the BBC TV series of the same name, more or less as a way to keep my sanity. With every scene that was cut, every line that vanished, everything that was simply changed, I'd announce, "Not a problem. I'll put it back in the novel," and thus regain my equilibrium. This went on until the day that the producer came over and said, "We're cuting the scene on page twenty-four, and if you say I'll put it back in the novel I'll kill you."

Well I’ve finished the book. Would I recommend it? Yes, to folks who like well crafted fantasy fiction. Will I read more by the author? Sure!

I didn’t particularly love it, but found it very interesting and loved the level of detail!

Oh gosh, I didn't notice till now that I didn't write a review for this :(

In short, it was quite a joy to read this book. I had absolutely no idea where it will take me because it was such a pure, chaotic fantasy, set in a parallel Earth without rules as we know them. Locations were delightful, especially because I love London itself. I visited it twice and have an intention to come back again. Characters were fascinating, although admittedly, at times not easily comprehensible. Marquis and Old Bailey were my favourites.

There was also a short story that follows Marquis in search for his coat (you'll understand after reading the book first). Story made me want to read more about this London Below. I hope Gaiman will manage to write a sequel soon.

A few words about the show too.

It was remarkably faithful to the novel (well, the latter was written afterward...) Some locations weren't the same (Harrods for example, and understandably so), and some situations (I remember the most vividly Shepherds Bush, trouble with Marquis - very difficult to film that!). Overall, it was pretty much the same, except for the fact that the details and the world setting were conveyed much better in the book. The TV budget simply couldn't cover that much from Gaiman's imagination. The quality of the video was weird as if I was watching an old VHS tape. Somehow that made the London Below looking grittier and more compelling. The actors did well with their characters, I liked them all. In general, I was satisfied with the show. However, I wouldn't mind seeing a reboot and/or a sequel with the right cast and budget.