Comments for Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman: 08/15/09

When Ian and I were still living in Southern California I picked up a book at random from the new arrivals section of my public library. The book in question happened to be Stardust. I loved the book but the author's name didn't stick with me. I wrote the book down in my book diary (#2084).

I came across Neil Gaiman's name again in 2003 when I was reading Smoke & Mirrors by Barbara Michaels. Everyone who heard I was reading it wanted to know if I was reading the latest Gaiman. I didn't actually read another of his books until 2005 when I read Anansi Boys (#3063). I read the book not because it was by Neil Gaiman but because I happen to like the Anansi folk tales. I ended up loving the book and still count it as my favorite Gaiman novel.

After that I went on to read American Gods (#3206) and it was an absolute chore to read. I ended up skipping huge sections of it and speed reading other sections. Had I started here in Gaiman's books I probably would have stopped.

But I had liked Anansi Boys and I heard he had co-authored a book with Terry Pratchett, Good Omens (#3737). I decided I would give him one last go (having still forgotten about Stardust) before making up my mind. I loved the book and decided I would have to read more of his books.

At the same time I was reading Good Omens, the film version of Stardust hit the big screen. Just like Dory getting her memory back when she reads the word "Sydney" at the end of the film, the name Stardust brought back memories of having read a fantastic fantasy of an alternate world hidden behind a gap in a wall. I went through my list and fell over when I found the book years before I remembered ever reading a book by Neil Gaiman. It was then that I went into full fangirl mode.

Read reviews I've written of Neil Gaiman books:

The Books of Magic

The Comical Tragedy or Tragical Comedy of Mr. Punch (with Dave McKean)

Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett)

The Graveyard Book (with Dave McKean)

Murder Mysteries

Neverwhere

weekly geeks | Neil Gaiman

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Comment #1: Saturday, August, 15, 2009 at 16:53:05
Lahni
I've only read three of Gaiman's books but so far, I've loved them all!

Comment #2: Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 20:30:00
Pussreboots
Which three have you read? Thanks for stopping by!

Comment #3: Saturday, August, 15, 2009 at 20:40:08
Maree
I'm a Neil Gaiman fangirl too.
Happy Weekly Geeks :)

Comment #4: Sunday August 16, 2009 at 20:32:31
Pussreboots
I think there are lots of us.

Comment #5: Saturday, August, 15, 2009 at 23:59:24
Kim
Okay. All I can say is, "Hooray for reading/book journals"! I just discovered Gaiman recently, and while I haven't read a ton by him, what I have has been enjoyable.
*smiles*
Kim

Comment #6: Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 21:04:53
Pussreboots
I'm in the process of digitizing my book journal entries so I can have easier access at 20+ years of data.

Comment #7: Sunday, August, 16, 2009 at 01:29:13
gautami tripathy
I liked Neverwhere better than American Gods.
And got his other books lined up too!
Weekly Geeks: Second Chance

Comment #8: Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 21:12:42
Pussreboots
Neverwhere is the only one I've struggled with. It's also his longest book. He's best in shorter form. Someday I might give it a second chance.

Comment #9: Sunday, August, 16, 2009 at 11:26:54
Trisha
I love Neil Gaiman, and like you, he just sort of snuck up on me. One day I just sort of figured out that I'd read quite a few books by this guy and I really liked them. Have you joined the Dream King Challenge?

Comment #10: Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 21:26:56
Pussreboots
I haven't joined the Dream King Challenge. I figure I'm going to read his books anyway.

Comment #11: Sunday, August, 16, 2009 at 18:10:35
anothercookiecrumbles
I haven't actually read any Gaiman yet, albeit I keep planning on getting the audio of The Graveyard Book, or the paperback of Coraline.
I will, of course, not start with American Gods, after reading the above though. :)

Comment #12: Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 21:30:04
Pussreboots
I'm currently reading Coraline (excellent!) but I think you should go with the audio of The Graveyard Book as it's read by Neil Gaiman himself. He has a lovely voice.

Comment #13: Sunday, August, 16, 2009 at 23:03:15
sari
I love Gaiman. I started with American Gods and loved it though it was tough at times. I did not like Good Omens, which surprised me since I think Pratchett is a god. Nice post by the way... as always.

Comment #14: Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 21:35:01
Pussreboots
I find Pratchett's books hit or miss. I've had more luck with Gaiman than I've had with Pratchett but I did enjoy Good Omens.

Comment #15: Thursday, August, 20, 2009 at 15:47:13
Megan
I added a bunch of Gaiman to my TBR pile after reading and loving Neverwhere. I loved Good Omens, and I'm hoping to read Stardust this year - I rather enjoyed the movie version and expect that I'll like the book, too!

Comment #16: Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 10:36:42
Pussreboots
I own the Stardust DVD and I've watched it many times. The book is as enjoyable as the film.

Comment #17: Thursday, August, 20, 2009 at 20:06:38
Kristen
Completely new to me author.

Comment #18: Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 10:41:34
Pussreboots
He's been writing for about 15 years. He started in graphic novels but has done a little bit of everything since then.

Comment #19: Friday, August, 21, 2009 at 13:18:15
Memory
STARDUST was the first of his novels that I read, too, but I was already a fangirl by that time. :) SANDMAN sucked me in hard and fast. The whole series is still on my list of favourite books.

Comment #20: Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 10:43:54
Pussreboots
I completely missed Sandman when it was the hot thing. I was busy with college and grad school and completely oblivious.

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Comments for Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman: 08/15/09

Read reviews I've written of Neil Gaiman books:

Memory STARDUST was the first of his novels that I read, too, but I was already a fangirl by that time. :) SANDMAN sucked me in hard and fast. The whole series is still on my list of favourite books.

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Memory
STARDUST was the first of his novels that I read, too, but I was already a fangirl by that time. :) SANDMAN sucked me in hard and fast. The whole series is still on my list of favourite books.