Fantasy Book Club discussion

Neil Gaiman is a favorite author of many people. Post here what you like about him, or don't like about him, etc.

Perhaps, like me, you like some of his books and not others. I loved The Graveyard Book and didn't like American Gods.

I got hooked on Gaiman with the Sandman vertigo series. Also loved Good Omens

My favorite author. :) Funny most people consider American Gods their favorite book of his, but I didn't care for it too much. That's the only one of his books I felt that way about. I really wanted to like it, but I didn't. I think I love Stardust, Neverwhere and Coraline the most.

I think Chivalry is possibly my favorite short story of all time, and one of the most nearly perfect I've read.

I was the exact opposite, I loved American Gods, thought it was orginal and inventive, but thought the Gaveyard Book was okay, nothing that special.

My Gaiman book is Good Omens which was co written with one of my other favorite authors, Terry Pratchett. I loved Stardust which reminded me in a very good way of The Princess Bride. Neverwhere was fun. American Gods was one of those books that I loved but I'm not sure I'll ever read again. And like Kevin, I thought The Graveyard Book was okay. Not great although I do remember liking one or two of the stories more than the others.

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Neil Gaiman is a favorite author of many people. Post here what you like about him, or don't like about him, etc.

Perhaps, like me, you like some of his books and not others. I loved The Graveya..."

ive only read American Gods and detest it so much so i wont buy another of his books.

Except for the odd short story or two, I've enjoyed what I've read by him.

Like Kevin, I found The Graveyard Book OK, but American Gods - and Neverwhere - superb. Also Anansi Boys, which is beautifully wrapped up. But the shorts leave me cold.

Alice wrote: "Haven't read enough of him. I've read Coraline, which I found was very mediocre, and Good Omens, which I loved (But if that was because of Gaiman or Pratchett is a mystery...). Reading Neverwhere a..."

my son and i love Coraline the animation but i doubt id buy the book

Pickle wrote: "my son and i love Coraline the animation but i doubt id buy the book "

If you liked the movie, odds are you'd like the book. American Gods is one of those books that most people seem to either love or hate (I liked it, but I've also been meaning to reread it for 10 years and still haven't gotten around to it), and most of Gaiman's books are quite different from each other, so if you hated AG you might very well like some of his other work.

Neverwhere is one of my favourite books, as is Good Omens (co-authored by sir Pterry). I also really like Coraline and love the Sandman GNs. The short stories are hit and miss for me, Chivalry is absolutely amazing, but some of his dabbling in horror (and some earlier work) is a little lacking.

I heard so many positive reviews about his books so I started to read American Gods. I got about half way through when I couldn't continue. I don't know, guess as some of you said you either love it or hate it.. I haven't tried to read any other book yet...

Tara wrote: "I heard so many positive reviews about his books so I started to read American Gods. I got about half way through when I couldn't continue. I don't know, guess as some of you said you either love it or hate it.. I haven't tried to read any other book yet... "

AG is a big book, and it's certainly geared towards mythology nerds and post modern lit lovers. You might want to try Stardust if you like fairy tales, or Neverwhere if you like UF. :) Both are significantly shorter and easier to read, not dumbed down by any means, just not as many characters to keep track of and as many gods to figure out.

You can read the beginning of Neverwhere here:
http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books...

And the beginning of Stardust here:
http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books...

It's just the first couple of pages, but it sets the tone for both.

I adore Neil Gaiman and trawl bookshops and the internet for any hidden gems, stories or comics I really don't care - I hate that he is now more interested in TV work to produce great pieces of fiction. How long ago was it since Anasi Boys was released? Isn't it about time we had something new?

Evilynn wrote: You might want to try Stardust if you like fairy tales, or Neverwhere if you like UF. :) Both are significantly shorter and easier to read, not dumbed down by any means, just not as many characters to keep track of and as many gods to figure out.

Thanks for the suggestions.. I have already seen Stardust the movie.. but I will check out Neverwhere

Tara, it took me a couple of tries to get into American Gods, because at first I was put off by the dark feel of it. Eventually I understood that dark is part of NG's fictional universe, and it's OK. But I still like Anansi Boys the best because it's funny.

LE wrote: "I adore Neil Gaiman and trawl bookshops and the internet for any hidden gems, stories or comics I really don't care - I hate that he is now more interested in TV work to produce great pieces of fic..."

What about

Odd and the Frost Giants or The Graveyard Book? They were released after Anansi Boys. Of course they're both YA. It's been a while since he's written an adult novel.

It's funny because in my opinion Gaiman isn't that dark of a writer. I think he brings love to his characters and his worlds that come through despite the darkness. Unlike a writer like King, in my opinion, who seems cynical and angry most of the time.

Barbm1020 wrote: "Tara, it took me a couple of tries to get into American Gods, because at first I was put off by the dark feel of it. Eventually I understood that dark is part of NG's fictional universe, and it's ..."

It was a slow read for me.. I wasn't enjoying it.. I wanted to read Anansi Boys but read that American Gods came before it, so that's what I started with..

Elise wrote: "LE wrote: "I adore Neil Gaiman and trawl bookshops and the internet for any hidden gems, stories or comics I really don't care - I hate that he is now more interested in TV work to produce great pi..."

Don't get me wrong I enjoyed both Odd and the Frost Giants (although very short) and the Graveyard book, but both these were children books. I wouldn't even go so far as to say they were YA.

I wish we could have a Neverwhere part two or something of that ilk

What I love about Gaiman is simply his prose.

He doesn't try to coat his writing with impressive words or needless descriptions--he takes the heart of the story, inserts just enough blood so that it will beat and allows you to sustain it with your imagination.

Jesse wrote: "What I love about Gaiman is simply his prose.

He doesn't try to coat his writing with impressive words or needless descriptions--he takes the heart of the story, inserts just enough blood so that..."

I totally agree. There's a bit in Anansi Boys, where you see into the "God Caves" for want of a better word and every cave has a different god in it. Gaiman did the whole thing in about two paragraphs, with almost like trigger words so I was able to fill in the rest. Very clever.

Of course when I discuss this with friends we then all have arguements over what characters look like, etc.

Tara wrote: "I heard so many positive reviews about his books so I started to read American Gods. I got about half way through when I couldn't continue. I don't know, guess as some of you said you either love i..."

I would say try his short stories. I have honestly never met any person who has read his short stories and said they disliked them all. American Gods is difficult and drudging to many people. I love it, but I'm really into that kind of story. I was actually working on a novel about all the gods in human history coming together to fight the Apocalypse when American Gods came out. Try picking up his collection called Fragile Things and just pick a story. His shorter work is always the more successful and enjoyable. ^_^

My first Neil Gaiman was Neverwhere, which I LOVED. I'll never think of "mind the gap" in the same way again. A friend has all of the collected Sandman, so I worked my way through those. Good Omens was fantastic and I convinced a book club at my office to read it. I also enjoyed Anansi Boys but haven't tried American Gods yet. I saw him do a reading at a book festival and he read a bit of Anasi Boys before it had come out. He's a great speaker, or maybe it's just the British accent. :) I really like his writing. I should try his short stories.

Cindy wrote: "My first Neil Gaiman was Neverwhere, which I LOVED. I'll never think of "mind the gap" in the same way again."

One of the greatest things about being in London (besides, y'know, just BEING IN LONDON!!!!) was riding the Underground and hearing "Mind the gap" on the PA.

A book that I really liked and nobody ever mentions is Interworld. If I recall correctly, it's about interdimensional portals or such, it wasn't great but it was fun and had franchise potential.

I loved American Gods, Anansi Boys and Neverwhere but I couldn't finish The Graveyard Book and Good Omens.

Maria wrote: "I loved American Gods, Anansi Boys and Neverwhere but I couldn't finish The Graveyard Book and Good Omens."

Same with me. I love American Gods, Anansi Boys, and Neverwhere, but I did not get The Graveyard Book or Good Omens.

Love Stardust, really disliked American Gods. I will definitely read more of his works. Big fan of his comic book work.