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Kevin Ansbro's Reviews > Neverwhere
Neverwhere (London Below, #1)
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Kevin Ansbro's review
bookshelves: recommended-by-matthew-quann, adult-lite, awesome-premise, contemporary-fantasy, escapism, gentle-humour, human-imagery, quintessentially-english, urban-fantasy, young-adult, gorgeous-covers
Nov 14, 2017
bookshelves: recommended-by-matthew-quann, adult-lite, awesome-premise, contemporary-fantasy, escapism, gentle-humour, human-imagery, quintessentially-english, urban-fantasy, young-adult, gorgeous-covers
Read 2 times. Last read November 10, 2017 to November 19, 2017.
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"There are two Londons. There’s London above � and then there’s London below."
This book was recommended to me by genial Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friend, Matthew Quann, whose effusive review sealed the deal.
I was initially reticent�
Having read Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane, I felt that his writing was a bit 'young' for my own personal taste and decided that, though delightful, his books weren’t for this beyond-middle-aged sourpuss.
Despite my misgivings, I dived in and was immediately beguiled � the story returning me to a childhood of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz (as was Gaiman's intent).
Our antihero, Richard Mayhew, is a total wuss who fails to meet the high standards set for him by his high-maintenance fiancée, Jessica. But Richard, though annoying, is generous of spirit and one day skips an important business dinner to aid a blood-and-mud-caked girl who collapses at his feet on a London pavement.
He is soon drawn into a lamplit, subterranean world of sewer-dwellers, rat-munchers and pantomime villains. Oh, and there's a marquis and an angel thrown in for good measure!
I enjoyed this more than I did The Ocean at the End of the Lane; it had a bit more grit and spite about it - even a swear word or two and an instance of bosom fondling (Neil Gaiman, you naughty schoolboy!).
But there is a childlike simplicity to his writing, and I can't escape the feeling that it's all a bit too YA for me. Neil strikes me as one of those men who has bypassed puberty on the way to adulthood. His undoubted secret superpowers are his wonderfully fertile imagination and an unsurpassed ability to connect with his inner child.
The book is wonderfully Dickensian in parts and Gaiman elicited a lot of knowing nods and smiles from me with his in-jokes and observations of the London Underground.
Neverwhere is as adult-lite as I expected it to be, but was also a fantastical, wonderfully escapist read. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but doubt I'll read any more of his.
Thank you, Matthew.
(You can see his review here): /review/show...
& Apatt Seriniyom's splendid review: /review/show...
"There are two Londons. There’s London above � and then there’s London below."
This book was recommended to me by genial Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friend, Matthew Quann, whose effusive review sealed the deal.
I was initially reticent�
Having read Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane, I felt that his writing was a bit 'young' for my own personal taste and decided that, though delightful, his books weren’t for this beyond-middle-aged sourpuss.
Despite my misgivings, I dived in and was immediately beguiled � the story returning me to a childhood of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz (as was Gaiman's intent).
Our antihero, Richard Mayhew, is a total wuss who fails to meet the high standards set for him by his high-maintenance fiancée, Jessica. But Richard, though annoying, is generous of spirit and one day skips an important business dinner to aid a blood-and-mud-caked girl who collapses at his feet on a London pavement.
He is soon drawn into a lamplit, subterranean world of sewer-dwellers, rat-munchers and pantomime villains. Oh, and there's a marquis and an angel thrown in for good measure!
I enjoyed this more than I did The Ocean at the End of the Lane; it had a bit more grit and spite about it - even a swear word or two and an instance of bosom fondling (Neil Gaiman, you naughty schoolboy!).
But there is a childlike simplicity to his writing, and I can't escape the feeling that it's all a bit too YA for me. Neil strikes me as one of those men who has bypassed puberty on the way to adulthood. His undoubted secret superpowers are his wonderfully fertile imagination and an unsurpassed ability to connect with his inner child.
The book is wonderfully Dickensian in parts and Gaiman elicited a lot of knowing nods and smiles from me with his in-jokes and observations of the London Underground.
Neverwhere is as adult-lite as I expected it to be, but was also a fantastical, wonderfully escapist read. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but doubt I'll read any more of his.
Thank you, Matthew.
(You can see his review here): /review/show...
& Apatt Seriniyom's splendid review: /review/show...
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Neverwhere.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
November 10, 2017
–
Started Reading
November 14, 2017
– Shelved
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
recommended-by-matthew-quann
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
adult-lite
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
awesome-premise
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
contemporary-fantasy
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
escapism
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
gentle-humour
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
human-imagery
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
quintessentially-english
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
urban-fantasy
November 18, 2017
– Shelved as:
young-adult
November 19, 2017
–
Finished Reading
July 18, 2019
– Shelved as:
gorgeous-covers
Comments Showing 1-50 of 138 (138 new)
message 1:
by
Nat
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Nov 18, 2017 11:40PM
Nice review for a "beyond-middle-aged sourpuss" ;-)
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Nat wrote: "Nice review for a "beyond-middle-aged sourpuss" ;-)"Harrumph!
*folds his arms*
Thank you, Nat! ; )
Well, I had to quietly sneak past the Harbour Bridge yesterday, knowing that it knows that I've never climbed it (well, not officially anyway);-)
Nat wrote: "Well, I had to quietly sneak past the Harbour Bridge yesterday, knowing that it knows that I've never climbed it (well, not officially anyway);-)"
Please do it one day, Nat. Especially on a clear day. The view is spectacular!
I know you're right Kevin. I'd love to do the "sunset" walk. Which one did you do?I think that living somewhere, while not taking it for granted (not in the slightest, ever), you don't always take time out to do the amazing things you would do if a tourist.
Nat wrote: "I know you're right Kevin. I'd love to do the "sunset" walk. Which one did you do?I think that living somewhere, while not taking it for granted (not in the slightest, ever), you don't always tak..."
I climbed it in the middle of a sunny day, though the sunset one seems as if it'd be fun!
Nat, you're so right about taking one's own place for granted. We've got a beautiful cathedral in my city, that I go past every week - but I've only been inside it twice!
Here it is: Norwich Cathedral...
Now that is truly beautiful. And you've only been inside twice?!Hang your head in shame, and hand in your passport immediately etc ;-)
Nat wrote: "Now that is truly beautiful. And you've only been inside twice?!Hang your head in shame, and hand in your passport immediately etc ;-)"
Ha! Touché, Nat. Well played!
; )
Merci beaucoup.Have a lovely Sunday ☀
Nat wrote: "Merci beaucoup.Have a lovely Sunday ☀"
You too, Nat! Thanks for making me smile on a Sunday morning.
Wonderful review, Kevin. I knew you could meet Neil halfway at some point. Is there an ointment you could apply to alleviate your sourpuss? 😉
Apatt wrote: "Wonderful review, Kevin. I knew you could meet Neil halfway at some point. Is there an ointment you could apply to alleviate your sourpuss? 😉"Sadly no, Apatt.
My puss is of a sourness that can't be remedied!
: )
Kevin wrote: "Apatt wrote: "Wonderful review, Kevin. I knew you could meet Neil halfway at some point. Is there an ointment you could apply to alleviate your sourpuss? 😉"Sadly no, Apatt.
My puss is of a sourne..."
You need advice from Mrs. Slocombe 🤣
Apatt wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Apatt wrote: "Wonderful review, Kevin. I knew you could meet Neil halfway at some point. Is there an ointment you could apply to alleviate your sourpuss? 😉"Sadly no, Apatt.
My puss ..."
"I'm free!"
: D
Great review. I'll have to give Gaiman another chance, as I couldn't finish American Gods. It was ok in the beginning, but then it went all fantastical and I didn't get it and it confused me, so I dropped it.
Bianca wrote: "Great review. I'll have to give Gaiman another chance, as I couldn't finish American Gods. It was ok in the beginning, but then it went all fantastical and I didn't get it and it confused me, so I ..."Thanks, Bianca!
I can't vouch for American Gods, as I haven't read it. I fear this would be much the same though.
I applaud Gaiman's imagination, but his writing is a little jejune for me to really get into him.
![[Name Redacted]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1347082397p1/287915.jpg)
Keep in mind that Gaiman was almost exclusively a comic writer when this came out -- and he was actually just adapting a tv mini-series he only co-wrote with famed British comedian Lenny Henry (whose touch is missing from this book and therefore the book suffers). Same sort of issue with "American Gods" -- he was just taking ideas & characters he'd already established in his comic magnum opus ("The Sandman") and transplanting them to a different story...while trying to prove as hard as he could "Look, folks! I can write REAL lit-er-uh-chur!"
His writing improves over the years, but then takes another dive when his personal life intrudes (he abandons his wife & kids to take up with a younger singer). *sigh* It's been heartbreaking for someone who was a huge fan of him in the '80s & '90s.
Kevin wrote: "Bianca wrote: "Great review. I'll have to give Gaiman another chance, as I couldn't finish American Gods. It was ok in the beginning, but then it went all fantastical and I didn't get it and it con..."We have to accept that we won't like everything.
[Name Redacted] wrote: "Keep in mind that Gaiman was almost exclusively a comic writer when this came out -- and he was actually just adapting a tv mini-series he only co-wrote with famed British comedian Lenny Henry (who..."Thank you, Name Redacted! (said in the voice of a superhero).
It's sad when you're a huge fan of an author, and their writing starts to take a dip. I'm going through the same thing with Salman Rushdie!
: (
Kevin wrote: "[Name Redacted] wrote: "Keep in mind that Gaiman was almost exclusively a comic writer when this came out -- and he was actually just adapting a tv mini-series he only co-wrote with famed British c..."I can relate. Oh, Salman -- come back to us!
So pleased you enjoyed this Kevin...loved this...perhaps you heard the radio 4 adaptation? Fabulous review!!
[Name Redacted] wrote: "I can relate. Oh, Salman -- come back to us! ..."Any Gaiman fans who believe his human imagery to be at an exalted level have clearly not feasted on Rushdie's (Or Márquez's).
Paromjit wrote: "So pleased you enjoyed this Kevin...loved this...perhaps you heard the radio 4 adaptation? Fabulous review!!"I haven't, Paromjit, but thank you for your kind words!
: )
Not a Gaiman fan but thoroughly enjoyed your review, Kevin.
Diane S � wrote: "Not a Gaiman fan but thoroughly enjoyed your review, Kevin."Thanks, Diane.I totally get that.
It was a pleasant diversion from grown-up books, but I don't think I'm going to read any more of his.
I have a feeling I will have the same reaction you had to Gaiman's work, Kevin, though I plan to read him at some point anyway. I'm not hot on YA or fantasy as a rule. Great review, t'was the opposite of sourpuss!
I feel the same about Gaiman, everyone seems to "get" him better than I do and I have never been wowed like I think I'm going to be. I enjoyed your review Kevin.
Robin wrote: "I have a feeling I will have the same reaction you had to Gaiman's work, Kevin, though I plan to read him at some point anyway. I'm not hot on YA or fantasy as a rule. Great review, t'was the oppos..."Thanks, Robin. I don't think, knowing something of your taste, that he would be for you. I like grown-up fantasy: Life of Pi, Midnight's Children, One Hundred Years of Solitude, et cetera, but definitely not YA.
I'll read it based pn another GR review, Kevin - yours!
Lisa wrote: "I'll read it based pn another GR review, Kevin - yours!"Thanks, Lisa!
Kimber wrote: "Wonderful review, Kevin! : )"Thanks, Kimber!
Most kind!
: )
"...beyond middle-aged sourpuss"! :) This book was my escape years ago, driving to a hated job. I have fond memories of this escapist other London. Thanks for reviewing this. Kevin :)
Lata wrote: ""...beyond middle-aged sourpuss"! :) This book was my escape years ago, driving to a hated job. I have fond memories of this escapist other London. Thanks for reviewing this. Kevin :)"It's assuredly escapist, Lata. : )
Thanks for reading my review, and I hope that you went on to secure a job you loved!
Kevin wrote: "Thanks, Robin. I don't think, knowing something of your taste, that he would be for you. I like grown-up fantasy: Life of Pi, Midnight's Children, One Hundred Years of Solitude, et cetera, but definitely not YA."I also loved Life of Pi, Kevin. It's one of my all-time favourites! I never thought of it as 'fantasy', but now that I think of it, you're right, it has fantastical elements... for adults. One day I'll have to get to Midnight's Children, but I'm just so not tempted to return to Rushdie after reading The Golden House!
Robin wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Thanks, Robin. I don't think, knowing something of your taste, that he would be for you. I like grown-up fantasy: Life of Pi, Midnight's Children, One Hundred Years of Solitude, et ce..."Well, I actually think of Life of Pi as magical realism, which comes under the broad sweep of fantasy. But I was loathe to say that I don't like fantasy, as my own genre is magical realism! : (
I just don't like the dragons, ogres, vampires, warlocks and wizards-type of fantasy. I prefer mine to be firmly set in the real world, with real nastiness and trepidation.
I guess that's what magical realism is: fantasy for adults.
Terrific review, Kevin. I’m a bit surprised that you read this.
Kevin wrote: "Well, I actually think of Life of Pi as magical realism, which comes under the broad sweep of fantasy. But I was loathe to say that I don't like fantasy, as my own genre is magical realism!I just don't like the dragons, ogres, vampires, warlocks and wizards-type of fantasy. I prefer mine to be firmy set in the real world, with real nastiness and trepidation."
Yes! That's why Life of Pi worked so well. I can't get into elves or unicorn riding fairies either. Magical realism, though... I can sink my teeth into that.
Tammy wrote: "Terrific review, Kevin. I’m a bit surprised that you read this."I'm surprised too, Tammy!
It was nice as an escapist one-off, but I'm too old for YA fantasy!
Thanks, Tammy! : )
Robin wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Well, I actually think of Life of Pi as magical realism, which comes under the broad sweep of fantasy. But I was loathe to say that I don't like fantasy, as my own genre is magical re..."Ha! Unicorn-riding fairies ... love it! ; D
Fantastic review of a fantastical book, Kevin. You and Matthew have both whet my keenness to read this book.
Laysee wrote: "Fantastic review of a fantastical book, Kevin. You and Matthew have both whet my keenness to read this book."Thanks, Laysee!
It's really odd. I've posted what I believe is a less than fulsome review and yet I'm somehow engendering people to read it!
: )
Great review Kevin! Glad you liked this one. And for me, I liked Ocean at the End of the Lane the least of his works. If you liked this one and are looking for more adult writing, check out Anansi Boys or the ultimate American Gods.
PorshaJo wrote: "Great review Kevin! Glad you liked this one. And for me, I liked Ocean at the End of the Lane the least of his works. If you liked this one and are looking for more adult writing, check out Anansi ..."Thanks for your kind words, PorshaJo!
I've come to realise that, though I have a great deal of respect for Mr Gaiman, I'm just too old for his books!
: (
Never say you are too old for anything. :-) But he's not for everyone. There was an author that I loved, picked up any book he wrote. I thought he was so funny. But as I got older, I realized what a cranky man he actually was and it was no longer funny. Tastes change as we age (unfortunately).
Nicely said, particularly for the rest of us 'well seasoned' readers. I've tried Gaiman and other magical realism writers, and either I'm too literal a personality (ie dull) or a bit curmudgeonly to enjoy their work. I'll consider giving him another go, thanks to you.
LeAnne wrote: "Nicely said, particularly for the rest of us 'well seasoned' readers. I've tried Gaiman and other magical realism writers, and either I'm too literal a personality (ie dull) or a bit curmudgeonly t..."This will be my last Gaiman rodeo, LeAnne.
I'm also too literary and curmudgeonly!
; )
Great review Kevin! I'm sorry you didn't appreciate the more fantastical, and though I'd agree that Gaiman's writing is not the most technically complex, it is darned good for sheer readability. It has always fascinated me that adult and fantastical literature can't seem to mix for many readers. Personally, I love a good fantasy yarn aimed at adults, but I've also been really taken with more of an all-ages tale, like Neverwhere.
Again, thanks for taking my recommendation Kevin! I've got something you recommended to me coming up in the next few weeks!
Very though provoking response. Four stars it seems for escapist satisfaction but less for take home joy on your pleasure meter due to YA simplicities à nd aversion to full scale fantasy. I was long averse to fantasy in general and the magical realism variety. Somehow the sense that anything can happen defeated my engagement. But with enough world building, like with the Harry Potter series or Lord of the Rings, I really could transport myself into the story. Magical realism disturbs me more because the break with realism is more restricted and thus jarring. Like when the character in Helprin's "Winter's Tale" suddenly gets his horse to leap over a street, I got the urge to leap the book across the room. But I''ve gotten past that reaction, and for the best chefs of literature can enjoy what they serve.I wonder if the society of ghosts in "Lincoln in the Bardon" fits your conception of magical realism or the broader category of fantasy less to your taste. Ghosts in general fit the former label for me, but the ghost societies in Gaiman's "Graveyard Book" and the movie Beetle juice I think of more in the company of magical beings like fairies and dragons.
Wonderful review, Kevin. I like your insight about his writing...glad you enjoyed it.
Matthew wrote: "Great review Kevin! I'm sorry you didn't appreciate the more fantastical, and though I'd agree that Gaiman's writing is not the most technically complex, it is darned good for sheer readability. ..."
Oh, I'm definitely an adult who loves fantasy, Matthew. But fantasy that you can actually imagine happening. It is out there!
