The Works of Neil Gaiman

[iceblink]

Oh I love Endless Nights! Not only are the stories great but the book itself is just so *pretty*.

[fantasie117]

Neil has a new book coming out:

Fragile Things

It's a collection of short stories, including a novella from American Gods.

[Deleted]

Oh, sweet Jebus, it includes "A Study in Emerald"? I am so there.

(It's available online on Neil's site (PDF, 5.1MB)

[starskin]

Well, I've just gotten American Gods from the library. I've only ever read his short stories and Coraline, so I'm excited to start a novel written for adults.

I really should add his feed to my livejournal. I love his style and his humor.

[petals]

American Gods is my favorite, starskin. Just a great idea for a story. Of course, I love mythology and fables.

And thanks to fantasie117 for the info on the new book. I guess I'll have to add that to my very long Christmas wishlist.

[fantasie117]

You're welcome, Petals. I saw the title on my store's "strict on sale" list and just had to mention it.

Even though I've got a lot of reading for school this semester, I'm re-reading American Gods right now during my break at work. Even though I skip chunks of it (mostly the side stories), I still love this book. I just love the whole mythology of it, and I think my favorite part is the whole idea behind roadside attractions.

[starskin]

I just finished American Gods yesterday and thought it was brilliant. I was really impressed with the way he could maintain the style and humor of his short stories thoughout a book that long.
I also had a small "squee!" moment when he mentioned the mermaids at Wiki Wachee, since that's only about 30 minutes from my house, and I desperately wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up.

I'm still puzzled about one of the gods though. Who was the one that wouldn't stay in people's minds? You know, the one people would forget seeing a moment after seeing him? I think it may have been Mercury, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, great book. Hopefully my library will have Anansi Boys in soon, because I loved his character and would like to read more about him.

[petals]

starskin, that's a question that has had a lot of debate. I don't think Gaiman has actually said who he's supposed to be.

This might help--of course, you may not be as obsessed about little details in books as I am.

This is a link to the topic on his official message board.

I like the idea that he's Luck, but what do I know?

ETA: Hades and Luck/Fortune seem to be the most popular suggestions.

[iceblink]

Whee Neil! I finished Fragile Things this evening and my only regret is that it was not longer.
And I think I liked the American Gods novella better than the novel itself.

[Deleted]

I'm still puzzled about one of the gods though. Who was the one that wouldn't stay in people's minds? You know, the one people would forget seeing a moment after seeing him? I think it may have been Mercury, but I'm not sure.

I can't remember which one you mean, but it's possible he's not directly ANYONE from actual mythology - Neil has said in his blog that he did make a number of them up (including Czernobog/Bielebog).