"I think we ought to read only the kind of books that wound and stab us." Franz Kafka
For any author who would like his/her book to be reviewed, contact me. Poetry books too are solicited for reviewing. However, there are some genres I tend to avoid. Feel free to ask me.
gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com
I must mention here that I read at my own pace and depending on my mood. Don't ask me to hurry.
Title: Neverwhere
Author: Neil Gaiman
ISBN-13: 9780380789016
ISBN-10: 0380789019
Publisher: HarperTorch/1997
Pages: 370
I came to know of Neil Gaiman from the blog world. I won American Gods from Dewey in a book giveaway. I had asked one of my friends to get me Neverwhere when she visited India. I started Neverwhere today and did not put it down until I finished. Next, I will read American Gods.
Neverwhere is a page- turner through and through. Richard is just an ordinary man with a heart of gold. One day while on a dinner date with his fiancée, he stumbles upon an injured girl in a sidewalk. He helps her and his life changes forever. Without wanting to, he is sucked into a world, which he never knew exists. In underground stations, abandoned buildings and sewer pipelines/channels, a dark and murky world exists unknown to the real one. He wants his life back but he cannot have it back.
In this magical tale of fantasy world, we get to meet many interesting characters like marquez de Carabas, Door, Hunter, Old Baily and angel Islington. Mr Croup and Mr. Vandemar are creepy and totally evil. They are so matter of fact about their evil nature. That makes it so much more chilling. Richard gets embroiled into their world all the while wanting to get back to his world. Labyrinths and wild strange beasts engross us until the end.
It is the modern day Alice in Wonderland, with so much vivid imagery. Nothing feels out of place here. At certain places, one simply stops and savours the sheer beauty of words. It is scary, whimsical, has a great pace, imaginative and very alive. Wit and humour is maintained throughout. Our protagonist is like any other man, not a superhero. More than anything else, one wants to re-read it as soon one finishes. Neil Gaiman is an author to watch out for.
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19 comments:
I want to try Neil Gaiman again. I just read one - Stardust - and I found it disappointing. But I am willing to give him another try!
I enjoyed reading this book. I've yet to read all of Gaiman's books but I'll definitely look them up whenever I get the chance!
I loved listening to this on audio! Great review!
I have been wanting to try Gaiman and have American Gods written down. Good place to start? Or do you think I should read this one first?
I have this one in eBook format :) and that's the problem! I will surely read it though, but the going will be slow!
I need to read more of his stuff, I'm such a Gaiman novice.
"N"
I will give this one a try. The Graveyard Book is the only Gaiman I've read thus far.
I haven't read this one yet. I loved American Gods, didn't care for Stardust and am currently reading and enjoying The Graveyard Book.
I have American Gods sitting in my tbr stacks because I feel like I should at least try Gaiman, what with him being such a big name and all.
Here's my N book.
I read Coraline a few years back and have meant to read some more Neil Gaiman ever since. This sounds great!
sounds like a good read, thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.
I keep coming across Neil Gaiman, but since I don't care for fantasy I'll probably never experience him.
so many good recommendations! Thanks for stopping by my "N"
I've only read Neil Gaiman's short stories and his children's/YA books "Coraline" and "The Graveyard Book." I'm pretty sure this'll be at the top of my list when I read one of Gaiman's novels. Great review!
Also, if you haven't read "The Graveyard Book" yet, I definitely recommend it.
Neverwhere is incredible, isn't it? I think you'll love American Gods ... Gaiman is brilliant. You should also try and check out his short story collection Fragile Things.
My N Book is HERE
stacybuckeye: American Gods is as good a place as any to start. Gods and Neverwhere are not connected in any sense, and so why not dive into Gaiman's best (Gods) first?
This intrigues me. Thanks for the recommendation; I think I'd like this!
(My N book is on my blog today.)
:-)
==lennie==
Neil Gaiman is a new to me author. I might have to put him on my new author challenge.
Thanks for playing!
I just bought The Graveyard Book and am excited to get into it soon. I think the only Gaiman book that I've read that found a little disappointing was Coraline. Neverwhere was outstanding.
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