Comments on: A Beginner’s Guide to Neil Gaiman

By: rayne

rayne — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:46:07 +0000

for a beginner, i’d recommend that he/she start with Good Omens. I really, really enjoyed this one. Though what I actually read first was Anansi Boys. Oh no, I read Stardust first. I looked it up after I watched the movie. Anyway, Good Omens, then Anansi Boys. ;D

By: Chris R

Chris R — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:09:51 +0000

Check out: Where’s Neil when you need him. Great cd

By: Empress Eve

Empress Eve — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:05:42 +0000

Thanks for all your comments, everyone!!!

While I love Good Omens as well, I wouldn’t say that some who doesn’t know Neil’s work and wants to get into it should jump right in with that one, because it wasn’t just him on the book. I think readers should get Neil head-on first, then go into books like Good Omens.

For those of you suggesting The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish, I wholeheartedly agree and have updated the post to include it.

@Robin
Thank you for ‘like’ ing it :-)

@Susanna
I see that the Neverwhere play will be in Chicago at the Lifeline Theatre.

Previews: Apr 30 – May 9, 2010
Regular Run: May 10 – Jun 20, 2010

Here’s the link:

http://www.theatreinchicago.com

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:36:42 +0000

personally, for the comic crowd, I would start out with Mr. Punch. the story is brilliant and mysterious and whimsical and dark but hopeful, and the graphics are out of control. the McKean/Gaiman combo is orgasmic. sandman for sure too, but punch started me.

i also agree with those that said starting with his short stories for the non-comic works is a good idea. he is so lyrical and interesting that short stories are a manageable chunk until you get so addicted you can sit down and read through an entire novel in one sitting. there is exactly one author i can do that with – i’ll let you guess who… ^_^

good post tho. (if this was fb, i’d “like” it)
cheers

By: Susanna

Susanna — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:19:32 +0000

Details about the stage adaptation of Neverwhere, please?

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:44:03 +0000

Hello, this page is excellent! could I translate it into portuguese, giving you all the credit, of course?

By: Jacqueline

Jacqueline — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:30:50 +0000

I fell in love with Gaiman after reading Neverwhere.. So that would be my first read recommandation. The whole idea was brilliant! Especiallyas I am a slave to the game Mornington Crescent on the bbc radio show ISIHAC..The names of the stations have always intrigued me. (ps I am Dutch…so maybe it’s just me…)

By: Minerva

Minerva — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:57:46 +0000

Oh and by the way, American Gods is my favorite out of all your work!!! :) xoxoxo Thank you for writing it. I am absolutely in love with Shadow, I am actually looking for his qualities in my future mates! :P LOL xoxoxo

By: Minerva

Minerva — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:56:41 +0000

Hi Neil, I wish you included Fragile Things here :)

By: Kathrin

Kathrin — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 08:36:18 +0000

I started with the German version of American Gods and was totally overwhelmed. I always recommend Neverwhere, especially to those people who have been to London before. Everyone loved it.

The short stories in Smoke & Mirrors and Fragile Things are also magical. Since they are not available in German I often fail to persuade friends to read them, as I am obviously the only one to be able to read in English :o)
I remember reading a very short story by Neil written on a single sheet of paper in a Waterstone’s shop, and it gave me the creeps (it was about a chair having been bitten by a werewolf, but I cannot find it on the net). Great, great work. So far I enjoyed everything I read by him.

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:51:57 +0000

American Gods is easily my favorite Neil Gaiman book. I believe Smoke and Mirrors was the first book of his that I read, though. Either that or Good Omens. In my opinion, both are great starting points.

By: Amy K.

Amy K. — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:53:03 +0000

Years ago, while at the library, my husband picked up Pratchett’s “Going Postal” on a whim. He enjoyed it so much that I read it, and we quickly began devouring all of Pratchett’s books, including his collaboration with Neil Gaiman. After finishing it I said to my husband something like: “I’ve enjoyed every one of this Neil Gaiman guy’s books I’ve ever read.” So we made sure we read anything by Gaiman that we had somehow missed. Then I remembered, and remarked that I’d read through the Sandman series when I was in high school and had taken a comic book drawing class, and I thought it was written by Neil Gaiman. So we reread all of those as well. What I like is that all of his work, no matter what the story or subject is (or form for that matter) they’re all smart, funny, deep, detailed and yet at times very lighthearted. How he manages to deftly combine all those things is a huge part of his talent.

By: Bernie Clarke

Bernie Clarke — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:27:05 +0000

I adore the Stardust, but the beautiful graphic novel is my favourite Neil Gaiman book of all time, simply stunning.

Neil’s ‘The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish’ was my favourite book to read to the kids while they were growing up! Should definitely be there on the ‘For the little kids’ list!

Also, his short stories in the book ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ and ‘Fragile Things’ are awesome to read in the bath. ;)

By: Keith

Keith — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:57:50 +0000

I have to agree with the masses and say “Good Omens” – I was a Sandman fan 1st – but good omens is a great blend of Biblical Mythology with modern humor. Amazing book.

By: coleen

coleen — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:44:39 +0000

I love American gods :) I’m reading Sandman now. Neil Gaiman is the best