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Steve's Reviews > Neverwhere
Neverwhere (London Below, #1)
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I didn't enjoy this book as much as I should have. I kept distracting myself with the thought, "Why the hell haven't I read more of Neil Gaiman's books?" Then I would have to tell myself to shut up, because I'm reading one right now, and I can return to berating myself later.
Neil Gaiman really understands fantasy. He understands that it isn't elves dancing in a forest and drunk dwarves mining for gold with improbably well maintained beards. No, fantasy is a reflection of reality, but fantastic. It isn't an alternate reality, but reality through the lens of imagination, and possibly some mind altering substances.
Not only does he capture the essence of fantasy perfectly, but he does so with the trickiness and charming language that seems to be uniquely in the realm of British humorists. He rarely describes anything in a completely straightforward manner, instead choosing to almost fool the reader into visualizing his delightful (or, when appropriate, very undelightful) characters and events.
I couldn't help but to be completely charmed by and immersed into London Below, right up until the point when some jackass started to wonder, "Why the hell haven't I read more of Neil Gaiman's books?"
==============
So, a few years later, and a lot of people seem to like this review, still. I've decided to abuse the popularity of this review to attempt to steer fans of Neverwhere towards a few other books that I think they will enjoy. Despite the theme of the review being "Read more Neil Gaiman", the books listed below are actually by different authors, since I think I've already made it clear that you should read more Neil Gaiman. So, aside from all of those, here are a few other recommendations:
1. Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart - An epic, hilarious mythological adventure.
2.Wool, by Hugh Howey - A pretty dark and serious tale of people living underground on a ruined world.
3. The Baroque Cycle, by Neal Stephenson - A globetrotting adventure set among a lovingly researched historical backdrop.
4. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow - A nerd finds himself suddenly and unexpectedly being stalked by his own government, and doesn't think it's so cool.
Neil Gaiman really understands fantasy. He understands that it isn't elves dancing in a forest and drunk dwarves mining for gold with improbably well maintained beards. No, fantasy is a reflection of reality, but fantastic. It isn't an alternate reality, but reality through the lens of imagination, and possibly some mind altering substances.
Not only does he capture the essence of fantasy perfectly, but he does so with the trickiness and charming language that seems to be uniquely in the realm of British humorists. He rarely describes anything in a completely straightforward manner, instead choosing to almost fool the reader into visualizing his delightful (or, when appropriate, very undelightful) characters and events.
I couldn't help but to be completely charmed by and immersed into London Below, right up until the point when some jackass started to wonder, "Why the hell haven't I read more of Neil Gaiman's books?"
==============
So, a few years later, and a lot of people seem to like this review, still. I've decided to abuse the popularity of this review to attempt to steer fans of Neverwhere towards a few other books that I think they will enjoy. Despite the theme of the review being "Read more Neil Gaiman", the books listed below are actually by different authors, since I think I've already made it clear that you should read more Neil Gaiman. So, aside from all of those, here are a few other recommendations:
1. Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart - An epic, hilarious mythological adventure.
2.Wool, by Hugh Howey - A pretty dark and serious tale of people living underground on a ruined world.
3. The Baroque Cycle, by Neal Stephenson - A globetrotting adventure set among a lovingly researched historical backdrop.
4. Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow - A nerd finds himself suddenly and unexpectedly being stalked by his own government, and doesn't think it's so cool.
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Reading Progress
June 2, 2008
– Shelved
Started Reading
October 7, 2011
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 65 (65 new)
I love your review on the portrayal of fantasy, how it is more a realistic fantasy than a lord of the rings fantasy. don't get me wrong, I love lord of the rings! but these two types of fantasies are great to read depending on the mood
Hi Steve: is that a hippo wearing a duckbill? Cool.Anyway, so how does Gaiman understand fantasy? Fantasy fiction can involve elves, dwarves or alternate realities that have both or neither. I doubt you or Neil can define the parameters of what fantasy fiction should be...it's up to the author.
So go ahead and tell that inner jackass not read any more Neil Gaiman books. I know I won't...this one was awful.
You have written what I am exactly thinking right now. I started reading Neverwhere two days ago and I keep thinking why Ihaven't read any Gaiman books before. Also I'm trying to read the book slowly so that it doesn't end quickly.
Thank you! He's definately one of my top 5 favorite authors. Read Good Omens, American Gods, and Smoking Mirrors and currently reading Neverwhere. I am more entralled with every word he writes.
Fantasy is a reality through the lens of the imagination - what a wonderful way to put it! Great review.
I think you hit the nail on the head with this review!
I had that reaction to American Gods. I kept wanting to yell at booksellers who had not pushed it into my hands earlier.
I had a similar thing to your "berating yourself" episode- I started getting excited about reading another one of his creations as I was reading another. Plain and simple greed/ gluttony, but it really is all so very morish. Cracking review.
I am half way through the book and your review has just egged me on to finish.Great review, this!
I kept thinking that too when I was reading American Gods. Why the hell have I not been reading Neil Gaiman books for years?!
God, I need to read this!! Sounds just like what I need now. These other recomendations also seem like something I would enjoy :)
Hope you enjoy them!
I thought this book held a lot of unfulfilled promise due to a main character that acted like the traditional indignantly clueless adolescent-in-a-fantasy-world, except he was a grown adult. And a few subplots that seemed stunted. So 2.5 stars. But your review, 5 stars! One of the things that I couldn't decide whether it was a boon or a bust for the book was the way Gaiman described some things. Like "its eyes looked as old as the Milky Way" or the "water tasted like diamonds and ice". On one hand, that might be how an old bard or storyteller would describe things, but on the other, those descriptions don't really describe anything and it makes me wonder whether the "old" style can really be translated into an urban fantasy while also maintaining a modern writing style of dialogue and descriptions of the ordinary (work, dating, etc). What do old eyes look like? How can something taste like diamonds? I probably would have preferred more hard descriptions and less whimsical talk, but that's entirely subjective. :)
Neil Gaiman is my hero! Lol, give the man a cape! Love your review. I'm a big fan of Urban fantasy, and love the combination of the fantastic and the real!
It is so awesome to see Wool by Hugh Howey on your list! I loved that book! The second book of the trilogy, Shift, had to be my favorite though.
You might like "Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookshop" by Robin Sloan.
Thanks Julie, I've moved it up in my to-read list :)
I love your review and completely agree. Mahalo for the suggestions! I was looking for some related titles, since I am getting close to finishing all of Neil's published works and was starting to worry I would never find something similar. Much obliged.
Look forward to seeing how you like them!
Steve, I am almost finished reading this one and I completely agree with you! I was so distracted by how much I am falling for Gaiman as an author that I am not allowing myself to get lost in the story as much as I could. The story is brilliant though. I am going to have to reread it some day.
Good news! It holds up on the second read!
I love elves dancing in a forest.
You expressed my sentiments perfectly!!!! Love this: "Neil Gaiman really understands fantasy. He understands that it isn't elves dancing in a forest and drunk dwarves mining for gold with improbably well maintained beards. No, fantasy is a reflection of reality, but fantastic. It isn't an alternate reality, but reality through the lens of imagination"
I had the same experience when I first read Neil Gaiman! Thank you for the other recommendations. I thought I didn't like fantasy until I read Ocean at the End of the Lane. I'm tearing through more Gaiman books now, but have been unsure where to turn next.
Thanks for that second paragraph. I don't think even Neil Gaiman could have expressed it more succinctly, and it perfectly captures what it is about "fantasy" that enthralls me.
Hi, can you read on this app? Or is it just showing books?? I just downloaded it and I'm not sure what to do, or what it's for?
Tawnie wrote: "Hi, can you read on this app? Or is it just showing books?? I just downloaded it and I'm not sure what to do, or what it's for?"If you're referring to the goodreads app, my guess is that you cannot read the books directly in the app. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ is for reviews and recommendations of books. I don't use the app though, just the website.
Melissa wrote: "I reread this review upon finishing reading the book and wanted to say that I liked it, but goodreads wouldn't let me like it twice.I did though.
I liked this review twice."
Melissa wrote: "I reread this review upon finishing reading the book and wanted to say that I liked it, but goodreads wouldn't let me like it twice.
I did though.
I liked this review twice."
Me too...I keep trying to like it a third and fourth time.
You two can always go like some of my other reviews to make up for it :)
Neil Gaiman is easily one of my all time favorites, and Neverwhere is my favorite of his many fabulous works. It was the third book I had read of his, and, like you, I was plagued by thoughts of where I might be able to find more of his works to devour. Since then I am pretty sure I have read everything the man has ever written-- multiple times, even!-- and I am still enchanted with every whimsical word. I can't thank you enough for the additional reading suggestions... I'll be checking those books out as soon as my busy reading schedule permits!! Keep on spreading the Gaiman gospel, my friend.
Thanks for this precious recommendations!
You can write pretty damn well too mate, at least book reviews 😜 Goes without saying I completely agree with you on what fantasy is all about. I really enjoyed Neverwhere, although it reminds me a lot of Kate Griffin's A madness of Angels and sequels about the Midnight Mayor. If you haven't met this book yet go for it, like now! You won't be disappointed 🤓
Thanks Elisa! I haven't read any of Kate Griffin's books, so thanks for the recommendation, I will check her out.
Bridge of birds is one of my favourites
I don't know how to "like" a review but this one is great!!
Great review, I've been looking for a decent fantasy novel after reading the Patrick Rothfuss books. Those were my first and they set the bar way too high, I can't find anything decent! Gonna try those other books later too
Nice review. I agree with you in thinking ‘why is this the first book I’ve read by him�. I loved the characters, the storyline and London Below. When I finished I definitely wanted more tales from there.I’ve now started reading his graphic novel series Sandman as an alternative.
You first wrote this in 2011 and every word is still just as true in 2018. I've read several of his books before getting to Neverwhere, and your definition of his definition of fantasy applies to every single one. I love this.
I’ll add to your recommendation list: The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden. Also, I hope you’ve read Good Omens, Stardust, and American Gods by now.
I've read all three of those, but nothing by Katherine Arden, so I'll check it out!
Great review! Can't wait to read this!!
Your review is wonderful!!! It is articulate, and perfectly explains exactly Neil Gaiman’s writing. I now am currently trying to read all his other works. Thank you for sharing additional authors and works. I plan on reading those in the future.
Glad you had no qualms about abusing the popularity of the review :-) Thanks for the precious recommendations.
Love Neil Gaiman novels! Have you read, Ocean at the End of the Lane? It’s wonderful.... like his other books. Thank you for the other suggestions.
After finding this review I immediately ordered Wool and Neverwhere, thanks to your recommendation. I enjoyed Wool, but only halfway through Neverwhere and loving it; Neil Gaiman’s writing style really resonates with me. Will be ordering more if him from the library immediately. Cheers
Thanks for the recommendations!!
Great review. :) Thanks for the suggestions!!
Although i've tried reading Gaiman before and felt disappointed, I loved your review... But you lost me at Wool.
I did though.
I liked this review twice.