Literary ecstasy for yer mind!! / Neil Gaiman / Verileah 18 years ago

Neil Gaiman

I realize I'm a little late to this particular party, but I've been enjoying the works of Neil Gaiman lately and thought I'd share the love. I'm far from the first TAC'er to rec' him - I think it was X who turned me onto him, actually. He's an absolutely amazing world builder and concept developer, and I find his 'voice' very comfortable to read. His pacing is refreshing and his descriptions are relevant and utilitarian rather than masturbatory in nature :).

I've read American Gods, Anasi's Boys, Neverwhere, and Stardust, and I've seen his movie, Mirror Mask (reviewed it in my movie thread). I hear he just put out some short fiction that I'll be picking up at the next opportunity - it's being peppered with awards :D. I know he did the writing for The Sandman comics...graphic novels....something like that...but getting the full series would be a little out of my league so I'll pass on that.

*pokes people* so what fans or potential fans can I unearth here? anyone?

Rainee 18 years ago

I actually read a bit of the Sandman comic books back in the 90's. I picked up Mirror Mask after reading about it in your movie post, but have yet to watch it. I might give one of his books a shot soon... any suggestion for the first one? Are all his books seperate or are there some series there?

Verileah 18 years ago

All of his books are stand alone, though American Gods and Anansi's Boys are very loosely connected. I think I'd start with Anansi's Boys - I'll articulate why later, have to go finish Scarface now :D.

pharren 18 years ago

what genre?

Eve 18 years ago

American Gods rings a bell. About how the gods came over with the settlers and pretty much adapted to this new land? If so, that book was so damn strange! LoL It was one of those that the hubby read first and told me "Just read it!" so I did. Then later we boggled over some of it, laughed at some stuff neither of us caught, and generally just wondered wtf was wrong with the main character lol

Verileah 18 years ago

I think the protagonist in American Gods was my favorite of his...maybe a little clueless at times but he did okay :). Pharren, I'd call his stuff fantasy, but mostly in a modern day setting (though Stardust is Victorian) and has more of an urban fantasy feel. He tends to draw from existing lore and put his own spin on things. It's good stuff, I think you'd like Anasi/American Gods in particular.

ROzbeans 18 years ago

Definitely going to pick one of his up, Veri. Which one would you recommend first?

Lunna 18 years ago

I <3 Neil Gaiman. I'm so excited about the Stardust movie coming out later this year!

I got into him through the Sandman comics years ago. I will have to say that if you ever get th chance to read those they are worth it.

FyreGarnett 18 years ago

i very much enjoyed Good Omens - just twisted enough for me without going overboard!

Lunna 18 years ago

ROzbeans;82361

Definitely going to pick one of his up, Veri. Which one would you recommend first?

If you are in the mood for an adventure fairytale type story, pick up Stardust.

Tor 18 years ago

I've not read anything by Neil Gaiman that I did not like. That said, I feel that the work he did on Sandman is excellent, and in general I enjoy his short stories more than the longer works. Smoke and Mirrors has a decent collection set in them, but many of his real gems are incorporated into the Sandman series. Good Omens is an excellent collaborative work with Terry Pratchett, who is also good times.

Really, you can't go wrong with Gaiman.

FyreGarnett 18 years ago

well, on everyone's suggestion, i ordered Stardust...

but i don;t know if i want to read it til i see the movie... *goshdarnit...*

Laschae 18 years ago

I was just looking on Amazon at his stuff and trying to decide which one to hit my boyfriend up for. Stardust looks like a good movie so I don't think I want to read it first and sit through the whole movie cursing under my breath like I did with Lord Of The Rings (parts 2 and 3).

FyreGarnett 18 years ago

i do that too. i HATE reading a book before i see the movie - glad i'm not the only one!