American Gods (©2001)

After ripping through Anansi Boys I looked around for a copy of that had Mister Nancy in it - and discovered that Mister Nancy is just one in a series of supporting characters. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. American Gods isn't greasy kids stuff - this is Gaiman for adults. This guy has a way with words and can create a deliciously twisted tale and weave it together like few others I've come across in this genre.

The ongoing conceit with the old gods and new gods was delightful, and Shadow the loner with a heart of gold is good fun as he finds himself in situations beyond him - at least his dead wife is looking out for him. This is among other things a story of redemption and although some of the subject matter is a little coarse it's wonderfully executed.

I highly recommend Anasi Boys as well, but in terms of meat and potatoes American Gods really delivered a full helping.

Gaiman is a wonder.

Reviewed January 8, 2008

Anansi Boys (©2005)

I read this one before picking up American Gods so it was a nice surprise for me as I'd not read anything by Neil other than his work on Good Omens many years ago. I out for coffee a couple of months ago and we got talking about books that cracked us up, and my buddy Richard started on about how much he liked Anansi Boys. Richard's usually right about stuff so I picked up a copy and started in on it.

This is the story of Fat Charlie and his brother. After the death of their dad, Mister Nancy - things take on a decidedly twisted flavour. You see, Mister Nancy wasn't ordinary - he was a god. Anansi the trickster and as they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

This was a book that made me laugh out loud in places and grin like a fool in others. The embedded "tales" within the story are a delight and only add to the magic. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

Reviewed January 8, 2008

The Graveyeard Book (©2008)

Neil Gaiman is one of the niftiest writers out there. He's able to write sweet juvenile stories, and he's adept with grittier adult content. Sometimes he blends them American Gods / Anansi Boys.

The Graveyard Book is a bit of a hybrid in that it's deliciously illustrated by long time collaborator Dave McKean and it looks like an illustrated youth novel, but the subject matter at times is a tad dark for younger readers.

This is the story of Nobody Owens who is orphaned and then is raised by ghosts. What follows is a good deal of fun, and to some degree is a wicked re-imagining of The Jungle Book. Of course that's an over simplification but it should give you a general idea.

The book is a lot of fun, and there are some moving pieces here and there as you'd expect. There are mysterious characters, and there are some bad people, and there are some good people too (for balance). If I'm not giving away a lot of detail that's on purpose - this is a story that works best when simply picked up and read.

If you've read Gaiman before this is good fun. Not his best work, but it's not a waste of time either. If this is to be your first foray into the imagination of Mister Gaiman you'll thoroughly enjoy yourself.

Reviewed March 24, 2009

Interworld (©2007)

Considered a book for young readers, I still gobbled this one up. Interworld is a quirky coming of age story. Joey Harker is an odd little boy who could get lost in his own house, but has the ability to travel between worlds. This gift gets him into fair bit of trouble, and he eventually meets up with others - "walkers" - who have this ability too. He soon finds himself in a war with those who want to capture the other "walkers" especially young Joey because his ability is so strong and drain them of their power. The battle between magic and science is a lot of fun.

I've really enjoyed the books I've read by Neil over the last few months. He's one of those writers who has been enjoying success both with his books, and with his film work. I've yet to be disappointed on either front.

Reviewed January 8, 2008