I found Coraline to be meh. *shrug* I know what you mean about being nervous to admit you find him mediocre. When an author is so beloved, sometimes their fans take it personally if you don’t like them too.
I just read Good Omens. Many parts were very funny (especially since I was raised in a VERY religious household) but I had a hard time finishing the book after getting 3/4 through it.
I tried listening to it last week and I could tell that it had some clever humor (for some of the same reasons as you). It it is one of those books I just couldn’t follow without seeing the page. So I moved on to Norse Mythology. That was entertaining too, but for totally different reasons
Hit or miss, but I do like a lot of his stuff. Most of his short story collections have been really good. Working through Trigger Warning now and finding some of it ….. Hard going. Also, although I am an avid re-reader, I haven’t been able to do it with any of his major works.
I’m a fan of Sandman but overall I think he’s a good storyteller and a mediocre author. I like how his stories are mythic but there’s no depth of character, especially for the women in his books.
I think Shadow, Richard, And Morpheus are all quite well developed characters. I won’t disagree with the female character bit. You would think with Amanda Palmer as a partner he would be all about strong feminine characters.
I’ve read Neverwhere, The Graveyard Book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and Stardust. I feel like he has the ability to spin “fairy tale” like stories with just the right amount of adult and the right amount of whimsy. I find him to be a refreshing voice.
Ya’ll should read The Sandman Graphic Novels. The stories and illustrations! Neil Gaiman truly respects the craft and the writers that have come before him. He has a wonderful imagination.
The Sandman was mine- but Neverwhere was the first standard novel of his I read. I’ve lost count how many times I have read it. Did you watch American Gods, Cassandra?
I listened to his audio version of The Ocean at the End of the Lane and thought it was fantastic. It’s not a genre I typically go for but he narrates the book himself and has the most wonderful voice, as well as being a great storyteller.
American Gods gets kinda dated…the Techno Kid god is described as a fat boy with glasses who smells funny, an early 90s stereotype of the geek computer nerd, but this was changed in the TV series to Justin Bieber slick nerd type.
His fairy tale retellings for adult readers are some of the most indelible stories you will ever read and they inspire me to do the same with my own cultural folk tales with supernatural characters.
I had no idea but I’ll have to look it up I only use audio books now that I’ve lost most of my vision and hand usage. It’s very different then reading a book but I’m finding I prefer it in some ways
@Lisa me too (MS) – books, shorts, general interviews, podcasts (like New York Public Library, he read Dickens last Christmas… and has done several BBC bits!)
Brilliant writer!
I love Neverwhere and The Graveyard Book.
Ocean at the End of the Lane. Great book
love american gods and good omens
Love him!
I always thought him overrated. I’ve read several of his books and found them all just ok.
Same here, it makes me really nervous to admit I’m not a huge fan of his writing because it’s a little bit boring, IMO.
Except for Coraline. It is a gothic masterpiece!
@Lynne I forgot about Coraline; that was really good.
I found Coraline to be meh. *shrug*
I know what you mean about being nervous to admit you find him mediocre. When an author is so beloved, sometimes their fans take it personally if you don’t like them too.
He’s my favorite author actually.
Love him
I just read Good Omens. Many parts were very funny (especially since I was raised in a VERY religious household) but I had a hard time finishing the book after getting 3/4 through it.
I tried listening to it last week and I could tell that it had some clever humor (for some of the same reasons as you). It it is one of those books I just couldn’t follow without seeing the page. So I moved on to Norse Mythology. That was entertaining too, but for totally different reasons
I just discovered his work recently, and I’m hooked! He is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
My favorite author
He has his own writing style and he is extremely talented. If you haven’t read Stardust I recommend it.
I love The Ocean At The End Of The Lane, The Graveyard Book and everything that I have read of his.
He’s brilliant and tells a good story, but his writing is inconsistent. I do love The Graveyard Book, Neverwhere, and Stardust.
I find it hit or miss. Mostly he’s just ok.
I only read the Black Orchid and I liked it a lot but I’m dying to read American Gods ?
It’s a fantastic read
Hit or miss, but I do like a lot of his stuff. Most of his short story collections have been really good. Working through Trigger Warning now and finding some of it ….. Hard going. Also, although I am an avid re-reader, I haven’t been able to do it with any of his major works.
I love the way he writes, but not always what he writes.
Love him!!
I would like him more if I were still in my teens, I believe, but I must say that some of his stuff is pretty good even by my adult taste.
My favorite author. I’m obsessed with this man
He’s the one author I will buy numerous copies of his books to collect. I own 4 signed copies
He is a lovely human and one of the only authors who reads a mighty fine audio book
His voice put in a trance
I love most of his stuff.
I was neutral on Ocean at the end of the Lane, so I am trying his book of short stories, Fragile Things
Love him
I am reading short stories by him right now!
I’m a fan of Sandman but overall I think he’s a good storyteller and a mediocre author. I like how his stories are mythic but there’s no depth of character, especially for the women in his books.
I think Shadow, Richard, And Morpheus are all quite well developed characters. I won’t disagree with the female character bit. You would think with Amanda Palmer as a partner he would be all about strong feminine characters.
Love him
One of my all time favorites.
I’ve read Neverwhere, The Graveyard Book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and Stardust. I feel like he has the ability to spin “fairy tale” like stories with just the right amount of adult and the right amount of whimsy. I find him to be a refreshing voice.
Am embarrassed to admit I’ve only read Chu’s First Day at School. It was a great kids book though.
Not a fan
We love him.
Ya’ll should read The Sandman Graphic Novels. The stories and illustrations! Neil Gaiman truly respects the craft and the writers that have come before him. He has a wonderful imagination.
I just bought the first volume
He is on my wish list, but yet to be read.
start with Stardust or Neverwhere.
Neverwhere was my first
The Sandman was mine- but Neverwhere was the first standard novel of his I read. I’ve lost count how many times I have read it. Did you watch American Gods, Cassandra?
No, I don’t have that channel. I have read the book. Good Omens is coming to TV also, but don’t know what network.
His is my ultimate favorite.
Love
Love him!
Interesting writer. I’ve enjoyed his books.
Neverwhere stuck with me, even though it wasn’t an initial favorite, but I loved the Graveyard Book.
A thousand times YES!
just like other authors he is loved by many and disregarded by many. American Gods has stuck with me throughout the years.
Can’t get into him
I like the guy, I only got into him after the series.
I love his work.
We LOVES him!
Didn’t finish Ocean at the end of the lane, liked Stardust and just started American Gods. The jury is still out for me.
As much as I love Gaiman, twice I started and couldn’t finish American Gods.
I like it so far but is early. I’m listening to audio.
I’ve noticed that most people who enjoyed American Gods also enjoy mythology in general
Love him!
I enjoy his books
I love his comics work, children’s books and shorter fiction. Disappointed by American Gods. Well worth checking out.
One of my favorite authors of all time ❤️
Love love love his work. Especially as audiobook where he reads.
Bookmark this link and save for holidays. The best.
https://www.nypl.org/blog/2014/12/19/podcast-neil-gaiman-christmas
He’s my favorite author.
Mine too
I’ve only read Ocean at the end of the lane which I loved. I plan on reading more of his books.
LOVE
Love him
Love him; his non-fiction works are fabulous too
Love ?
My book club is reading Trigger Warning at the moment.
he’s on y TBR list
My son in 7th grade is reading The Graveyard Book, and I started it with him and couldn’t put it down!
❤️❤️
I listened to his audio version of The Ocean at the End of the Lane and thought it was fantastic. It’s not a genre I typically go for but he narrates the book himself and has the most wonderful voice, as well as being a great storyteller.
Love
Read most of his stuff. American Gods took a reread t truly appreciate.
Great storyteller makes the story come alive in your mind with the rich language.
I wish he was my neighbor so I could bake him cookies and sit at his feet while he told me tales.
Oooh me too!
Yes.
Neverwhere is his best work.
American Gods gets kinda dated…the Techno Kid god is described as a fat boy with glasses who smells funny, an early 90s stereotype of the geek computer nerd, but this was changed in the TV series to Justin Bieber slick nerd type.
His fairy tale retellings for adult readers are some of the most indelible stories you will ever read and they inspire me to do the same with my own cultural folk tales with supernatural characters.
Now THERE is an interesting mind.
Seriously! I love listening to him talk about writing, storytelling, and his great belief in audiobooks as continuing the oral tradition!
I had no idea but I’ll have to look it up I only use audio books now that I’ve lost most of my vision and hand usage. It’s very different then reading a book but I’m finding I prefer it in some ways
@Lisa me too (MS) – books, shorts, general interviews, podcasts (like New York Public Library, he read Dickens last Christmas… and has done several BBC bits!)
I had the privilege of meeting him, I cherish the memory.