Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I just finished this and I'm on the "tedious and over-long" camp :)

Not gross, loved it. ;)
Just one question: What is "dnf"?!

Coincidentally, I've been thinking lately about how as a teenager I was a fan of Gaiman (and this book was my favorite), but how almost nothing from his books have stuck in my mind over the years. So even though I rated this 5 stars at one point, I do see where you're coming from lol.

Trish wrote: "Not gross, loved it. ;)
Just one question: What is "dnf"?!"

"Did Not Finish." You see this acronym used pretty frequently on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. :)

OMG! Thanks for the warning. I'll take this book from my TBR-list. That's not the kind of books I like to read.

I didn't even get through chapter one, too much foul language for me. Now I'm glad I didn't!

Tadiana � Night Owl� wrote: "Trish wrote: "Not gross, loved it. ;)
Just one question: What is "dnf"?!"

"Did Not Finish." You see this acronym used pretty frequently on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. :)"

Yup, that's why I asked because I never understood it. *lol* (Notice how I finally mastered to use modern language like "*lol*") xD

And I'm really sorry you didn't like it. I know that this is Gaiman's most controversial book (not just because there are so many mythological themes and eastereggs that one only recognizes when having read about Norse Mythology but apparently also because of its style).

I hesitate to say "I didn't like it" because I read so very little of it. It's probably more a case of "not my cuppa tea."

I realize that Gaiman is regarded these days as the holy grail of writers, but I don't get it. Except for Sandman, which I thought was angsty and feisty with veins of beauty amidst all the horror (both my kids adored it, but then set it aside in their early teens) everything else seems predictable, like I've read it before. And this book . . . like you, I tried several times, bounced, and finally gave my copy away.

Sherwood wrote: "I realize that Gaiman is regarded these days as the holy grail of writers, but I don't get it. Except for Sandman, which I thought was angsty and feisty with veins of beauty amidst all the horror (..."

I keep thinking I should like Gaiman better than I do. I'm glad it's not just me!

It just occurred to me that Sandman's main appeal was the art, and not the prose. Ah well. Like I needed any more proof that sometimes I'm whistling when the rest of the world is playing the piano.

I've always had the feeling that Neil Gaiman is a bit of genre's pop star or maybe even rock star? A writer you're supposed to adore or love, because he's so cool? And that he plays quite deliberately with that with a lot of savy :D.

Having said that it is only my impression by reading things ABOUT him or blog posts by him or watch a youtube video with him - not by actually reading his books.

I think I only read one Gaiman book and that was Good Omens and a collaboration and it hasn't stuck in my mind.

I do think he might have been one of the people behind the till at Forbidden Planet in London (because as far as I know it would work with the timeline when he did that job) when I did my yearly huge shopping trips as a student, spending all the money I'd made in six weeks of working at a factory during the term holidays to get enough genre books in English to last me - at best - half a year ^^.

Which is probably where my habit of rereading started :D

Heh! He sounds like he's an awesome human being, and he's sure easy on the eyes. I did enjoy GOOD OMENS, but I suspect that was mostly Pratchett, as that one led to my Pratchett addiction.

Sherwood wrote: "Heh! He sounds like he's an awesome human being, and he's sure easy on the eyes. I did enjoy GOOD OMENS, but I suspect that was mostly Pratchett, as that one led to my Pratchett addiction."

Yes, Good Omens is fantastic, but like you said much of the credit should go to Pratchett. The only solo Gaiman effort I've liked was Neverwhere.

Hmm. Not sure if I tried that one or not. I know I've tried several.

I didn't like Neverwhere as much as a lot of people did. It was okay, but reminded me of too many other fantasy novels I've read.

As far as the authors have stated, the credit for Good Omens goes to both in equal parts.

I find Gaiman readable but not memorable. I find I never connect with the characters.

Oh, I understand where you're coming from. I fall into the love side camp. As I do with all Gaiman. He has a unique grasp of mythology from various cultures. And that is why it worked for me. That the Gods have become "American" because they have become unnecessary in their original lands was a keeper of an idea. To say further would spoil the broth should you ever decide to return again. Grin.

Mike wrote: "Oh, I understand where you're coming from. I fall into the love side camp. As I do with all Gaiman. He has a unique grasp of mythology from various cultures. And that is why it worked for me. That ..."

Finally! I thought I was the only one in camp love-Gaiman!

American Gods is consistently in my top 5 all time favorite books, but I can see where and why people may be turned off by it. I'd definitely give it a few more chapters and see how you like it.

Mike wrote: "Oh, I understand where you're coming from. I fall into the love side camp. As I do with all Gaiman. He has a unique grasp of mythology from various cultures. And that is why it worked for me. That ..."

Paul wrote: "American Gods is consistently in my top 5 all time favorite books, but I can see where and why people may be turned off by it. I'd definitely give it a few more chapters and see how you like it."

Mike and Paul (and Trish), I'll certainly keep your opinions in mind. Maybe when I don't have quite so many other books that need reading staring me in the face. :) (like that problem's going to get any better anytime soon...)

Definitely too long (especially the first half), but even though I finished only a few days ago, I'd already forgotten about the man-eating vagina! I'm not sure what to infer from that.

I'm with everyone else here about Good Omens: that was brilliant. Well done, Pratchett!

I did finish this one, Tadiana, but with great difficulty. It was much too long. It had moments of greatness that pushed me through to the end.

I actually own a paperback copy and might give this one another shot, but I’m not in much of a hurry. It’s SO long!

The only reason I made it through this book is because I was in the hospital with nothing else to do. The story itself is wonderful, but the path it takes to get there is frequently too bogged down to be enjoyed.

Thank you. I will take this book off my shelf