I have now joined the legions of Neil Gaiman fans, having just recently romped joyfully through a reading of Neverwhere, all in one sitting. It was 2:00 a.m. when, sighing happily, I read the last page and closed the book. It’s been a while since I’ve had a read like that.
Thank you to everyone who has pushed and prodded me to finally get around to reading a Gaiman novel. You know who you are, with all your enticing reviews of Gaiman’s novels …
My Writer’s Hat
Lately, I’ve been keeping my writer’s hat on while I’ve been reading, and Neverwhere was very illuminating from that perspective.
The pace of the book, the characters, both good and bad (and those bad guys most certainly were villainous, no doubt about it), the settings – it was so interesting seeing how Gaiman let the story unfold.
… And Mary Poppins
My copy of Neverwhere (from the library), includes as a blurb a reviewer’s comment likening the book to Alice in Wonderland. But I didn’t really get that Wonderland sense while reading it.
Instead, Neverwhere made me think of Mary Poppins.
Now, if your only acquaintance with Mary is through the lovely and sweet Disney movie of the same name, you probably won’t get this.
But if you’ve read any (or all) of the books by P.L. Travers, you just might be nodding your head in agreement right now. And if, like me, you’ve wondered in the past just where did Mary Poppins and all her friends and family came from, Neverwhere is the answer. They’re denizens of London Below. I could definitely see them having a grand time at the Floating Market! In fact, I’m certain that when they’re not wandering the pages of the Mary Poppins books, some of them are actually vendors at the Floating Market.
Now For More Gaiman
So, I’m hooked now. Next on my list? Anansi Boys, Stardust and Coraline.
And I’ve put in hold requests at the library for American Gods, Good Omens and M is for Magic.
If you’re a Gaiman fans, what are your recommendations? I just started Anansi Boys – what would you recommend I read after that?
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I’m not crazy about American Gods or Anansi Boys so my recs would either be Good Omens or Stardust.
Good Omen’s is one of the funniest books I’ve ever read — right up there with Douglas Adams at his best. And Stardust is great if you’re in the mood for a fairytale. It’s rich and luscious.
.-= Kathleen´s last blog ..Two for Tuesday =-.
Love Neil Gaiman stories!
They are all wonderful.
So how to choose. Well, you have Good Omens on hold, and that is the one I would recommend right away. But, Stardust is great too, so that’s the next one.
The Graveyard Book is not on your list. It should be.
Enjoy!
.-= Marisa Birns´s last blog ..Voyages =-.
Glad to hear you enjoyed Gaiman. I am (I think) the lone hold out in the book blogging community who hasn’t gotten around to reading him yet. But he is on my TBR shelf and I WILL get around to him one of these days. Sounds like when I do, I won’t be disappointed. Any book that can keep you up at night is a good one!
.-= Kathleen´s last blog ..A $5 Million Reward Isn’t Enough? =-.
American Gods — it’s one of those books that can be read over and over and each time you’ll “see…taste…experience” something new.
Now you’re convincing me to go back and read Mary Poppins. It’s been on my shelf for years. Might be time.
Yay, so glad you loved him. As for your next reads, Anansi Boys is so funny, Stardust reminded me a lot of Princess Bride (wonderful cheeky fairy tale), Coraline is a spooky kids story, The Graveyard Book should definitely be on your list. They’re all good, you can’t go wrong.
Maybe wait until you’ve read one of two more from Gaiman before tackling American Gods. It’s very good, but much slower and heavier than the others. I recently also read the first volume of his Sandman graphic novel series. The story was great, but the illustrations were pretty disturbing.
Anyway, dig in and enjoy! He’s incredibly talented and his work is so diverse that it’s fun to try his books back to back.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Journaling =-.
Neverwhere is definitely the book that got me on the Neil Gaiman bandwagon, and still my favorite. I’ve recommended it to tons of people and even purchased a copy of it for a few. I’d definitely recommend Good Omens, and I hear that his short stories are great, too!
.-= Megan´s last blog ..The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers by Thomas Mullen =-.
I’ve read 2 of Gaiman’s books and enjoyed both of them so I definitely want to read more. This sounds like one I would like.
I’d be happy to send you a new unread copy of Stardust if you want – I have an extra!
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of “Little Bee” by Chris Cleave =-.
Thanks, Jill – that is so nice of you. I do have a copy from the library right now, so hopefully I’ll be able to get to it before I have to return it – I get three weeks per borrowing period, and can renew twice, so that gives me nine weeks to finish it.
But if in nine weeks you get an email from me saying, “Um, do you remember that extra copy of Stardust you have hanging around …”, you’ll know what happened!
I’ve heard so much of Gaiman – but although he’s in my TBR pile, I haven’t got to his stuff yet. I’ll have to bump it up to the top!
.-= Jemi Fraser´s last blog ..A Little Bit of This… =-.
I started with Good Omens, which immediately got me hooked on both Gaiman and Pratchett.
Which Stardust do you have? The comic or the book?
Next I’d read The Graveyard Book or Coraline (just for something completely different) then I’d recommend starting Sandman. Hopefully your library has it–but be prepared to read each volume a couple times, because you’re going to miss things the first time through.
Neverwhere has been debuting on many a blog post lately, almost like an omen for me to read it. Just last month I had my first taste of Gaiman with his Graveyard Book and loved it. I’m definitely willing to read more, and Neverwhere will sure to top the list.
.-= Cat Woods´s last blog .. =-.
I just picked up Neverwhere from the library yesterday, having had it recommeded to me by a number of other readers. It will be my first Gaiman and, honestly, I don’t know much about it but I’m very excited to start reading this weekend!
.-= Claire (The Captive Reader)´s last blog ..Library Loot =-.
Yay yay yay! Another Neil Gaiman convert! Neverwhere has been my absolute favorite of his, so I’m glad you enjoyed it! ! ! Good luck with your next selections.
I’ve only every read Coraline, but this sounds super! Thanks for pushing me to read more Gaiman.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Featuring . . . The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha =-.
LOVED Neverwhere. That was the first book I read by Gaiman, too–isn’t it great? I thought I would love Stardust, but for some reason it just didn’t grab me. The Graveyard Book is another one I would recommend that’s not on your list.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Musical Notes: Little Vampire Women and Rupert of Hentzau =-.
Read …’neverwhere’ but it didn’t actually take me anywhere. Quite a bummer. Maybe ’stardust’ proves for an interesting read. I hope
.-= Alberto´s last blog ..Let there be light – Support Earth Hour 2010 =-.
This makes me want to read MARY POPPINS! I saw the movie once, years and years ago, but I’ve never read the book.
I think STARDUST would be an excellent follow-up read. It’s one of my favourite Gaimans. I’ve read it so many times that it’s now an old friend.
.-= Memory´s last blog ..47. Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling =-.
Hi Guys,
I scanned through the responses and didn’t see any mention of his Sandman series. Granted they are graphic novels, but the story in them is amazing and is one of Gaiman’s best works.
Gaiman is also an excllent short story writer, so many of his anthology’s are very good. “Smoke and Mirrors” is one I can remember off the top of my head. “Odd and the Frost Giants” is another great young adult book.
If you have kids (or don’t) he has some excellent kids book out there. My family loves “Crazy Hair”, “Wolves in the Walls”, and “The Dangerous Alphabet”
I also loved The Graveyard Book. Anansi Boys and American Gods were actually my least favorite of the books he’s written.
There are a lot of them out there. He has a new book called “Instructions” that is coming out soon too!
The first Gaiman book I read was Good Omens. It is one of my favourite books of all time. Loved Stardust. Could not wait for Anansi Boys to be over. In fact, I didn’t finish it.
I look forward to picking up Neverwhere and Coraline. I now want to read Mary Poppins as well.
I’ve only read the first of the Marry Poppins books, and recently at that, but I have seen Neil Gaiman cite Travers as an influence in interviews. So I think you’re on to something.
I was so confused once when I saw someone describe Neverwhere as a retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It doesn’t remind me of Carroll at all! Anyway, I’m so glad you loved it
As for reading order, I think they’re all awesome and you can’t possibly by wrong wherever you turn next 
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..Doreen by Barbara Noble =-.
You just made my day! I had such a strong feeling about Mary Poppins while reading Neverwhere, so it’s good to know Travers was indeed an influence on Gaiman.
Aside from Neverwhere, I love Coraline and Stardust. You should also read his compilations of short stories Smoke and Mirrors. I got addicted to Murder Mysteries and Snow, Glass, Apples.
.-= Gene´s last blog ..Thank you Spot.PH =-.
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