The Works of Neil Gaiman

[laconicchick]

I just finished Anansi Boys, and I really have to agree with this comment from, uh, over a year ago:

Not to take anything away from Gaiman's awesomeness as a writer, but it seems like his novels all have basically the same story: perfectly ordinary guy discovers a world of magic existing just a couple of steps up and to the left of our own. This world is more interesting but more dangerous, but eventually he learns to accept it and makes his home there. Neverwhere has this plot. So does American Gods. And Stardust (although the protagonist already knew about Faerie, so that's different). And Anansi Boys, it looks like.

I've read Good Omens (my favourite, probably because of Pratchett), Neverwhere, American Gods, and now Anansi Boys, and they are all very similar. Normal, generally loser-ish guy (*cough* Gary Stu *cough*) discovers world of magic that he's somehow connected to. He frequently has a fiancee or girlfriend, but she is frigid/demanding/not right for him. He meets a girl who is perfectly suited to him, and who has a connection to his "new world." He works out his daddy issues. The end.

His writing is undeniably very good, but his plots are starting to wear thin.

[Deleted]

okolobaloba said:

Has any of you read his children's book "Coraline"? That is quite scary. The other mother with her sewn-on button eyes. I hadn't realized just how spooky that must be, until the illustration where she is shown to actually have normal black buttons as eyes. Until then I thought they were some sort of eyes like teddy bears, if that makes sense.

I just finished reading through this thread and had to respond. I loved Coraline. It's the sort of book that would have delighted me as a child because of the deliciously creepy imagery it conjures. What's scarier than the thought of a woman with dead black-button eyes and hair that floats and sways around her shoulders like seaweed? And Coraline (Coraline, not Caroline, as she would quickly point out) is so brave and lovable that you immediately adore her. Just a brilliant book.

[starskin]

Stephin Merritt, singer-songwriter of The Magnetic Fields and composer of the soundtrack for A Series of Unfortunate Events, was supposed to be doing a musical adaptation of Coraline for the stage. I remember reading it on Merritt's website, but I haven't heard anything about it since last year. Does anyone have any news on that? Because I really *really* hope they're going to go through with this project! It'd be unimaginably awesome.

ETA: I'm sadly unfamiliar with Gaiman's novels, but I absolutely love Smoke and Mirrors (his short story collection) and Coraline.

[petals]

I'm such a sucker for stories about an average person entering a fantasy world, that I love his work. And the Sandman comics are very close to perfection in comic books.

I loved American Gods. I am mythology's bitch, so I thought that book was great. And I blame Gaiman for my current Terry Pratchett addiction--damn you, Good Omens! Which, by the way, is another great one. The end of the world, and it's funny!

[indygirl]

So I take it you are traveling throughout the Discworld then, Petals? Good Omens did the same thing to me!

[fantasie117]

Oh, man, I love Neil Gaiman. I agree that his plots aren't particularly innovative, but I don't read him for the plots. I read him for the ideas. I've read American Gods, Neverwhere, Stardust, Anansi Boys, Smoke and Mirrors, the first three volumes of the Sandman comics. Even Marvel 1602. I read Good Omens and giggled my way through the Apocalypse.

Hmm... I might have to reread American Gods soon. For like the third time. It's been a while.

[petals]

indygirl said:

So I take it you are traveling throughout the Discworld then, Petals? Good Omens did the same thing to me!

Yep. I'm totally addicted to the Discworld novels. It's Neil Gaiman's fault.

Marvel 1602 is a good story as well, especially if you know the characters from the comics. I would recommend reading the rest of the Sandman comics, fantasie117. Some of the best issues were later in the series. Not to mention, the Little Endless appear, and that is worth a read just for the chuckle factor. Nothing cuter than a baby Despair!

[iceblink]

Mmm Sandman. I have such a bookcrush on Dream, it's sick.

[petals]

That's not sick at all.

Having a crush on Desire is sick. Sometimes, she/he was so pretty/handsome!

I always wondered if Gaiman ever explained who Despair used to be. Delirium was once Delight. And Despair once went by another name as well. But I could never find out what the name was--or am I remembering this wrong?

[Deleted]

No, you're remembering it mostly right. The difference is that Despair died way long ago, *just like Dream did in the series,* while Delight sorta... grew up. Despair was always Despair. We (briefly) meet her first incarnation in the story "The Heart of a Star", featuring the Endless and various other cosmic beings, a few billion years ago. It's part of "Endless Nights", a compilation of seven stories written by Gaiman, each focussing on one of the Endless. It's pretty awesome, and highly recommended.