I just read Neverwhere. Good book as far as it goes. Not an epic novel, but not bad for a comic book writer. Don’t get me wrong - I LOVE the Sandman graphic novels.
Neverwhere was pretty good, kept my attention but for some reason I could pretty much predict the plot - at least the direction in which the plot was going, who the ‘traitor’ was, that the ‘quest’ was ‘rigged’ and especially the ending. But overall as mind-candy it was pretty good. More of a ‘young-adult’ book. But that is what it is meant to be.
I did find amusing the inter-play of the two assassins Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar - reminded me of Mr. Wint & Mr. Kidd from “Diamonds are Forever”. I have to wonder if Mr. Gaiman did that on purpose.
Door Portico may have been just a bit ‘too’ clever wordplay on the Lady Door’s name…
But overall - a good afternoon’s read.
Sizzly June 1st, 2004
6:54 am
That was pretty much my assessment. If you want to read a considerably better book that has similar characters to Croup and Vandemar, may I recommend, “The Truth” by Terry Pratchett. “Truth” is probably my favorite Disk World novel. It’s very silly.
Haeslich June 1st, 2004
11:04 am
I thought “Neverwhere” was a big yawner. Pratchet always rules though. “Eric” is my favorite of his.
Glycor June 1st, 2004
2:02 pm
Thanks for the info Sizzly - I just started ‘re-reading’ Terry Pratchett…. I haven’t read him in years so I’ll look forward to reading The Truth when I get to it in the series. I’m always looking for good ’silly’ reads.
Sizzly June 1st, 2004
2:28 pm
Eric? Really? Hmm… I tend to dig the character Rincewind but the plot lines he ends up in aren’t always the best. “Eric” was cool but I’ve always preferred the Death “cycle”. Call me crazy but I’ve got a serious crush on Susan Sto Helit.
Glycor, if you want something really cool, check out “Good Omens”. It’s by Pratchett and Gaiman. It chronicles a potential end of the world scenario. Very silly. Very blasphemous. Can you guess why I liked it so much?
Glycor June 10th, 2004
2:29 pm
Siz - I’ll add “Good Omens” to my reading list.
Blasphemous eh? Can’t IMAGINE why you’d like something that was Balsphemous…
heh heh…
Glycor
As one sage put it, “Religious wars are basically people killing each other over who has the better imaginary friend.”
Glycor June 10th, 2004
2:33 pm
…Can’t IMAGINE why you’d like something that was Balsphemous…
I just read Neverwhere. Good book as far as it goes. Not an epic novel, but not bad for a comic book writer. Don’t get me wrong - I LOVE the Sandman graphic novels.
Neverwhere was pretty good, kept my attention but for some reason I could pretty much predict the plot - at least the direction in which the plot was going, who the ‘traitor’ was, that the ‘quest’ was ‘rigged’ and especially the ending. But overall as mind-candy it was pretty good. More of a ‘young-adult’ book. But that is what it is meant to be.
I did find amusing the inter-play of the two assassins Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar - reminded me of Mr. Wint & Mr. Kidd from “Diamonds are Forever”. I have to wonder if Mr. Gaiman did that on purpose.
Door Portico may have been just a bit ‘too’ clever wordplay on the Lady Door’s name…
But overall - a good afternoon’s read.
That was pretty much my assessment. If you want to read a considerably better book that has similar characters to Croup and Vandemar, may I recommend, “The Truth” by Terry Pratchett. “Truth” is probably my favorite Disk World novel. It’s very silly.
I thought “Neverwhere” was a big yawner. Pratchet always rules though. “Eric” is my favorite of his.
Thanks for the info Sizzly - I just started ‘re-reading’ Terry Pratchett…. I haven’t read him in years so I’ll look forward to reading The Truth when I get to it in the series. I’m always looking for good ’silly’ reads.
Eric? Really? Hmm… I tend to dig the character Rincewind but the plot lines he ends up in aren’t always the best. “Eric” was cool but I’ve always preferred the Death “cycle”. Call me crazy but I’ve got a serious crush on Susan Sto Helit.
Glycor, if you want something really cool, check out “Good Omens”. It’s by Pratchett and Gaiman. It chronicles a potential end of the world scenario. Very silly. Very blasphemous. Can you guess why I liked it so much?
Siz - I’ll add “Good Omens” to my reading list.
Blasphemous eh? Can’t IMAGINE why you’d like something that was Balsphemous…
heh heh…
Glycor
As one sage put it, “Religious wars are basically people killing each other over who has the better imaginary friend.”
…Can’t IMAGINE why you’d like something that was Balsphemous…
Or Blasphemous even…. sorry about the typo…
Oops!