Entertaining, imaginative, but not very complex ^ A very fun, imaginative book, that is easy to read in just a few sessions. The writing is excellent, and it is easy to get swept along in the story. My complaint is that it isn't a very complex novel. It is very linear, has no subplot, and it feels as if some characters or ideas were introduced, but not ever explored by the end of the novel. A fun urban fantasy, but not much more than that.
Well done! ^ Neil Gaiman is a brilliant writer. This is the 4th book I have read by him and I have enjoyed every one. Neverwhere is a story about a man named Richard who lives a normal life in London. He meets a girl named Door and his world gets completely turned upside down. He has to try and survive in a new world with many dangers. Great book!
Flat. ^ I had such high hopes for Neil. Sandman is great, I love his girlfriends music, and my favourite modern author holds him in such high esteem. And then.... That's it. Neverwhere is just a deflated random mess. It is at best a diverting read, but at this point the premise has been done so many times, and better, that the book is not recommendable. It's..Tales of the Nightside, but not that good. Actually if he had kept it to a Nightside length he might have been okay. The characters are cutouts, the premise shaky, dialogue cliche', and descriptions vague and unimaginative. If he wants to do a sequel, which was left wide open, I might give him a try after so long to dial in his long story craft, but really, this book is bad, I'm only going to try one more novel before giving up on Neil as a long story author..He is of course still brilliant as a screen (Coraline) and comic (Sandman) writer.
Emotionally flat ^ While Neverwhere presents a fascinating premise, the characters who live in this world are emotionally flat. Gaiman creates a world that is so violent and dark that it's completely inexplicable why the main character would abandon all that he knows to permanently enter this world. This decision ultimately reveals the character's utter failure to emotionally connect with anyone in his life, and his decision to leave his world cannot change who he is, only where he will live out the remainder of his lonely and unconnected existence.
Too great ^ I know there are so many reviews for this work already but I have to say that this is my favorite work of his. It is most definitely in my top 15 of all time most enjoyable and enlightening books. Please give this a try.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
