Each Wednesday I am featuring a guest post by a book blogger detailing which books they think are the “best” and “worst” by the author of their choice. Visit the series page for more information about the guest bloggers, the featured authors, and the sign-up form.
Please welcome today’s guest blogger: Cecelia from The Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia, who will be discussing the best and worst of Neil Gaiman.
Neil Gaiman: the author, the cult hero, the legendary website crasher. Wait, what? Oh yes, this is the man for whom fans lined up by the hundreds for hours on the Washington Mall in late-September heat. He will post a link on twitter, and the site and its servers will fail. He’s not only a fantastic author, he’s an icon. The icon many outside of fantasy and sci-fi fandom have no idea exists.
Neil Gaiman may be the science fiction and fantasy reader’s best bet when recommending something in the genre to non-readers. He writes beautifully-constructed and award-winning prose in many formats – children’s picture and chapter books, graphic novels, adult fiction – and he’s been involved in screenwriting for both film and television (Dr. Who, anyone?).
Like any opinionated reader, I have my favorites among Gaiman’s works. And, sadly, one not-favorite. Shall I share?
American Gods. It’s the novel that established Gaiman’s presence in America as a novelist. It was on the best-selling lists for ages. Unfortunately, it’s also the only Gaiman novel I read and actively disliked. I’m not saying it’s bad, mind you, I’m saying I couldn’t care for it. I had not expected the darkness and despair that Gaiman writes about so eloquently. Its black humor did not amuse me. American Gods overwhelmed my senses, and I wasn’t prepared for the feeling (and didn’t like it one bit).
That said, I believe that my tastes have evolved a bit since 2003. I can tolerate a larger dose of darkness. I don’t know that I’d love American Gods if I read it for the first time today, but I also don’t think I’d frown over it quite as much as I did then. It’s sinister, disturbing, and very, very cold. A wintry sort of book, if there ever was one.
My hands-down favorite Neil Gaiman book is Neverwhere. This one has its own share of darkness, but it’s tempered with humor, adventure, and a mystery that unravels as the characters find their way across London Below. And what is London Below? It’s the leftover bits of history that get covered over in the course of urban life. It’s forgotten subway tunnels and sealed off entrances, and magic waiting just around the corner or through the next door.
Over the years I’ve re-read Neverwhere many times, and the one thing I’ve begun to realize is that I adore a well-crafted villain (or two). Mr. Vandemar and Mr. Croup are sadistic psychopaths, and they are some of my favorite characters in Neverwhere. I’m not sure what that says about me… but I do know it speaks to Gaiman’s imagination and creativity.
So, tell me: have you read Neil Gaiman? Do you have a favorite? Why?
Many thanks to Alyce for having me here on At Home with Books!
Cecelia is offering a great Neil Gaiman book giveaway over on her site. Thanks the wonderful guest post and the generous giveaway Cecelia!
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I had fun reading Gaiman’s Anansi Boys for adults, reviewed here: http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2007/06/anansi-boys.html. And I liked his Blueberry Girl for children, reviewed here: http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2009/11/blueberry-girl-by-neil-gaiman.html.
I read American Gods three years ago this month! I actually had to go back and look it up. I know I liked it, but I don’t remember it being so dark, that’s probably just the state of mind I was in the mood for at that time. But my favorite books of Gaiman’s are his young adult fiction like The Graveyard Book and Coraline. I really enjoyed those, even though they have some sinister feelings too.
I have only read one Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book) but he sure has a lot of fans!
I’ve read The Graveyard Book, Coraline, M is for Magic and Stardust. Of those, only Stardust really thrilled me. I was a little upset that M is for Magic was marketed to children because it’s so very, very adult, although there were several stories that I absolutely loved. The Graveyard Book is pretty enchanting but there was a pretty heavy creepy factor that might have bothered me as a kid. Coraline . . . ick. He certainly has a skill, though, and I’m looking forward to reading Neverwhere one day!
I haven’t read any Neil Gaiman books.
I adore Gaiman’s writing. I actually reviewed Neverwhere today and have to agree — it’s a great book. I thought The Graveyard Book was very good and I have a soft spot for Stardust and Good Omens too. American Gods is on my list to read. I tend to like the darker side of his worlds so I’m hoping it will turn out to be a good read for me.
Not an author I’m familiar with though I seem to remember his name being connected with Terry Pratchett.
I have not read any of this author’s books but have been curious about him. If I were to give him a try I would try Nevermore since you have reread it many times. That says a lot when someone rereads a book several times!
I’ve only read Coraline, but would like to read more of his work.
I have read The Graveyard Book (out loud to the kids, loved by all) and listened to Anansi Boys. Anansi Boys was really strange and goofball, but was a total delight due to the narrator, who hit a major home run with it. Based on those two selections, I well know that I need to be in a particular mood for his brand of storytelling.
I’ve read most of Gaiman’s books and shortstories and liked them all– I enjoyed American Gods but my faves would probably be Good Omens, Neverwhere, Stardust and Graveyard. My least fave would be Anansi Boys. So many people rave about his Sandman graphic novel series–Have you read it? I plan to give it a try one of these days.
Lesa: the Sandman graphic novels are the one Neil Gaiman thing I haven’t tried – I need to get started! I’m a little afraid that I won’t love them as much as I love his novels and children’s books… but I probably shouldn’t be.
Anna: You’re braver than I am! I got about halfway through Coraline before I got too scared to go on. I loved it, but it was freaking me out. I have and love the film, so I figure that’s about as good as it’s going to get. You should try The Graveyard Book for sure!
I wasn’t crazy about American Gods either and I thought I was the only one. I really enjoyed Coraline and need to try more of his work.
I loved Neverwhere! The story line for American Gods never really enticed me much, so I haven’t read it yet.
I’ve been waiting for this one!! I adore Neil so much it’s ridiculous.
Neverwhere has been loved by multiple members of my family – even though who typically avoid darker/fantasy books.
Unfortunately, I’ve found I really don’t enjoy his younger books as much: Stardust in particular.
I loved Neverwhere, too! It was glorious. I did like American Gods, though I didn’t love its sequel Anansi Boys at all. Neverwhere is my runaway favorite, though. SO GOOD
I haven’t read any of Neil Gaiman’s books, mainly because I saw Coraline and it just wasn’t my cup of tea, and my general impression of his stuff is that it’s just a little bit too creepy and strange for my tastes. I did really like his episode of Doctor Who though – some great lines from that one. (“Doctor, did you wish really hard?)
I haven’t read anything Gaiman and I am aashamed because I like to claim that I really enjoy science fiction. Hopefully next year will see me cured and I wil have read a couple at least of his books
I’ve just put up a Neil Gaiman giveaway, if anyone would like to win one!
I have only read American Gods by him and I loved it. I’m reading Odd and the Frost Giants right now and I’m enjoying it so far.
I LOVE American Gods. It’s the best book I ever read. If it was a person I’d court and marry it.
For me it’s Neverwhere that I dislike with a vengeance. I couldn’t stand the shitty way the other characters treated the main character. Even the bad guys were nicer to each other.
Sullivan: you are proof that it takes all types! And to think we have such opposite reactions when our tastes usually line up! Glad you loved American Gods.
Shamefully, I’ve never read Mr. Gaiman … but I mean to rectify that in the new year and now I know where to start!
I had to read American Gods for a book group and simply could not get through it. I know that puts me in the minority, but I am thrilled that someone else shared that opinion.
I love Neil Gaiman, but I agree there’s good and bad. I loved Anansi Boys, Neverwhere, Stardust, The Graveyard Book and Good Omens. His short stories are more spotty for me. Oddly enough, American Gods was the first book I ever read of his and I didn’t love it. I really want to reread it now that I have a better appreciation for his style.
I’ve read several books/graphic novels by Neil Gaiman and to be honest, I think everything he touches turns to gold. American Gods is one of my favorites of course but also Stardust.
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Neverwhere is probably my favorite of his books, but I’m pretty crazy about Sandman too. Have you seen the BBC series of Neverwhere? It’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but the actor who plays the Marquis and the actors who play Croup and Vandemar are exactly what you’d imagine. They’re marvelous. Couldn’t be better.
You have given me some good thoughts on these books. I have read one Gaiman…. it was … ok. I knwo he has better out there.
Very interesting! I have both on my to-read list and I just can’t decide which one to begin with. Sounds like I might have to go with Neverwhere, though American Gods still intrigues me.
I actually loved American Gods. The only other one I’ve rad by him was The Graveyard Book, which I also enjoyed.
I’m a Neil Gaiman Fan. Currently reading Fragile Things. It’s a collection of Gaiman’s Best!
I used to read Coraline to my 1 year old. I’m not sure why I did. It was quite sinister and I read a review that a kid had nightmares about it. But He’s remains a legend to me and my bookshelves
I have read just about everything he’s written & absolutely loved American Gods!! Probably my fave but its hard to say for sure because he hasn’t written much I dont like. Smoke & Mirrors? Yes please! Excited for American Gods miniseries!!
I agree with you about American Gods, it is my least favorite of Gaiman’s work. In fact, I would go so far as saying I disliked it. My favorite is a tougher call, I really like Neverwhere (esp. the audio version Gaiman did himself), but I have to choose Stardust as my very favorite. It is also an excellent audiobook.