OK!! I admit, i've had problems with him. Only started one, don't remember title, but couldn't finish. I've heard so much good about him that i've started to wionder if i was just unlucky or was in the wrong place for a Gaiman. Therefore i would like to ask where one should start with him. Some suggestions would be very appreciated. Is there certain titles that are more difficult than others and perhaps wait a little with? Enlighten me!!!
Neil Gaiman
- Thread starter Kurben
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I actually started Neil Gaiman with one of his graphic novels. I'm not sure if your into those, but you might give his "Sandman" series a try. I love 'em.
Gaiman is fantastical, along the lines of Bradbury or Pratchett, but there will be these occasional moments of hyper reality (usually involving graphic sex) that are jarring (and are my main criticism of his books--only one that I've seen seems to 'fit' in the story). My personal favorite is The Ocean at the End of the Lane (but that might be because it makes my writer/editor heart throb with envy--there's nothing that needed changed in that book, even if you don't care for the story), but Good Omens might be a good place to start. If you like short stories and poetry, Smoke and Mirrors and his latest book, Trigger Warning, are fantastic. The Graveyard Book, Coraline, and Odd and the Frost Giants are kids' books that I love (Odd uses Norse mythology 
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Kurben, it could just be that he is not for you. That is the conclusion I have personally come to. I have read three of his books and found all three of them boring. For me, the writing was mediocre and he brought nothing at all new to the same old story being told. I think my problem is that I have been reading the type of genre he writes for many decades and have read many better books by better writers. But of course, as always, this is just my opinion.
The ONLY place to start is with his graphic novel series 'The Sandman'. At times moving, fantastical, horrific, whimsical but startlingly original. Acquired taste maybe but once you have read this you will see the sort of universe that he has made. American Gods, Neverwhere (one of my all time favourites), Anansi Boys don't reference the Sandman but all feel like they fit in that universe.
His short stories are also very good. However, The Sandman is a series I would choose to take to a desert island. Any book that makes me want to go on a date with death has to be pretty good.
His short stories are also very good. However, The Sandman is a series I would choose to take to a desert island. Any book that makes me want to go on a date with death has to be pretty good.
I loved Coraline and Graveyard Book. Have not read The Sandman yet, but I have it on my bookshelf, I guess its time will come
When ever I've read his novels, I've always come away with the feeling that he's always teetering on YA/Adult fiction seesaw. The Ocean at the End of the Lane was very good in and of itsself, but he could have pushed the peddle on that one. Though on the other hand, his short fiction doesn't affect me the same way. Probably just my own bugaboo.
I must be missing something too. His books are the kind of thing I should like, and I want to like them and him as a writer...but there's something in the way and I don't really know what it is. In the end I keep hovering and going away and coming back like a wasp 'round an ice cream (or iced cream, take yer pick ) - or maybe a fly around something else - because of the feeling I get, and the insistence of other people, that I might be missing something special.
Bit annoying, if for no other reason than there are so many books and so little time that I could be settling into something else instead.
) - or maybe a fly around something else - because of the feeling I get, and the insistence of other people, that I might be missing something special.Bit annoying, if for no other reason than there are so many books and so little time that I could be settling into something else instead.
His short stories are amazing. I recommend you start there.
I still remember one called Snow, Glass, Apples which is a retelling of a famous fairy-tale. An excellent story. It's in a book called Smoke and Mirrors - Short Fictions and Illusions. A true gem that book.
Neverwhere was interesting. American Gods was OK but a bit too long and complicated.
Good Omens was a disappointment for me, I couldn't really find Gaiman in there, perhaps it was more Pratchett. That kind of humor just didn't click with me. I read about half of it and gave up.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane was the best, short and good with just the right amount of creepy.
I still remember one called Snow, Glass, Apples which is a retelling of a famous fairy-tale. An excellent story. It's in a book called Smoke and Mirrors - Short Fictions and Illusions. A true gem that book.
Neverwhere was interesting. American Gods was OK but a bit too long and complicated.
Good Omens was a disappointment for me, I couldn't really find Gaiman in there, perhaps it was more Pratchett. That kind of humor just didn't click with me. I read about half of it and gave up.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane was the best, short and good with just the right amount of creepy.
I feel the same way, Mr. N. I tried The Graveyard Book...didn't finish. Tried American Gods...didn't finish. And I'm a finishing type person, although, since I've gotten older, I find it easier to talk myself into stopping, telling myself I'll give it a go later.I must be missing something too. His books are the kind of thing I should like, and I want to like them and him as a writer...but there's something in the way and I don't really know what it is. In the end I keep hovering and going away and coming back like a wasp 'round an ice cream (or iced cream, take yer pick
Bit annoying, if for no other reason than there are so many books and so little time that I could be settling into something else instead.
It should also be noted that Mr. Gaiman wrote possibly one of the best Dr. Who episodes ever - 'The Doctors Wife'. Not to mention he was in an excellent Simpsons episode 'The Book Job'.
If that doesn't prove my geek creds, nothing will...
If that doesn't prove my geek creds, nothing will...
Suranne Jones makes that ep, IMO. Still not all that sure about the script...but then that's becoming par for the course with DW.
Yeah she is great in it. I liked the script though it is an episode of its time if that makes sense.
I loved the explanation as to why the Dr. never goes where he wants 'You never take me where I want to go', 'No, but I take you where you need to be'. Great explanation as to why he keeps ending up in trouble!
Yep, you are definitely a geek extraordinaire
That really was an interesting Dr Who episode. I hope Gaiman writes more Dr Who episodes.
I think he wrote another - the Nightmare in Silver which was good but perhaps not exceptional.
Arcadevere
Gentle Lady From Brady Hartsfield Defense Squad
okay, aside to Uncle Steve, i'm pretty much a Neil Gaiman reader since Anansi Boys (which i regretted reading first than American Gods, because of Mr. Nancy and his very first appearance at AG than to AB)
my fave among him was Anansi Boys and American Gods, i also love Neverwhere (that has a BBC series) but i couldn't stand what happened to ending, because i have different thoughts. Coraline was my fave children horror (both in Book and movie).
I would like to hear your thoughts about to Mr. G
my fave among him was Anansi Boys and American Gods, i also love Neverwhere (that has a BBC series) but i couldn't stand what happened to ending, because i have different thoughts. Coraline was my fave children horror (both in Book and movie).
I would like to hear your thoughts about to Mr. G
Robert Gray
Well-Known Member
My two favorite books by Gaiman are Neverwhere and American Gods. I have quite a few of his works, in a variety of different media types. It suffices to say that he is one hundred percent the opposite to King in style and tone. King tends to ground the reader in the normal world, specific details, and characters which we can relate to before slowly revealing supernatural or fantastical elements. The supernatural and/or fantastic doesn't creep up on you in Gaiman's works. It is there from the start or leaps from the tall grass all at once. In short, Gaiman's works feel surreal while King's are grounded. Both, however, are driven by strong characters and actual stories.
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