Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

I had heard such wonderful things about Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s collective work, Good Omens, that I just had to read it. While it was not the most hilarious novel I’ve ever read, it did guaranty quite a few laughs. I wouldn’t necessarily call this book a satire or a critique of Christianity; that would almost be giving it too much credit. Rather, it pokes fun at the absurdities and convoluted tenets of both divine and human nature.

As can be expected with these two writers, the characters are the best part of the book. I have to admit, the Antichrist grew on me, as did Dog, his hellhound. Aziraphale and Crowley (whose name never fails to make me smirk) are both so full of fail, but that’s why you’ve got to love them. You even have to love Agnes Nutter, who is hardly seen on screen, but whose presence looms over everything, because she seems like your own half-crazy great-grandma who ate the candy cane with plastic still on. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, depicted in a very modern and human way, were exquisitely creepy.

My only real complaint with this novel is that it is a bit tedious. This isn’t really a fault of the authors, but of the subject matter. It’s a story about Armageddon, quite a dense topic. One could get easily worn out by this book if it weren’t for the fantastic characters and plot. If you can strap yourself in for a moderately long haul, this book is definitely worth a read.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

I love winter break; it gives me so much more time to read. I caught a little bit of the BBC miniseries Neverwhere, and I was intrigued enough to pick up a copy of the book. I was also still on a bit of a fantasy kick after reading The City of Dreaming Books. This was the first book I’ve read by Neil Gaiman, and it did not disappoint.

The basic idea of this book is what captured my attention most: London Below, which exists not only below, but also on top of and side-by-side in a sort of different dimension of reality and, occasionally, time, with the regular, old, boring city. In London Below, “Mind the Gap” is quite a strong warning, a Floating Market appears in Harrods every so often so people can sell curries and chicken bones, and Roman soldiers, angels (yes, those kinds of angels), giant beasts, vampiresses, Amazon women, and rat-speakers coexists alongside one another. Gaiman creates a dizzying world that is equal parts fantasy, sci-fi, and steampunk. My favorite part of his writing, though, is the fact that he never explains much of this world; it just is. I personally dislike it when authors attempt rationalize things that are, by definition, fantastical.

Gaiman is equally skilled at crafting convincing and complex characters from very little exposition. I loved both Hunter and the Marquis de Carabas, and to a lesser degree, Door and Richard. I found Hunter and the marquis to be exquisitely complex and mysterious characters, and I was aching to learn more about them. Door and Richard, our two protagonists, are certainly likable and sympathetic, but a bit two-dimensional. What can I say? I tend to like those characters that border between villain and hero much more than the obvious good guys.

Since I mentioned villains, let me just say: Gaiman’s villains are true villains. They are disturbing, frightening, and totally bat-shit crazy. The antagonists of this book are superbly crafted.

Overall, this was quite an enjoyable read. Although it’s not necessarily short, it was a fairly quick read. If you are looking for a modern-day fantasy adventure book, this would be a good pick. I’m looking forward to reading another book by Gaiman next.

The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers

This is a book for people who love books. I don’t just mean people who enjoy reading, but people who actually LOVE books. The kind of person that looks at a Kindle and thinks, “No thanks, I’ll just stick to my paper and ink.” The kind of person who devours pages upon pages, staying up far too late when they have work or school in the morning. The kind of person who wishes that our media-infested world would appreciate literature a little more.

Walter Moers’s The City of Dreaming Books depicts that wish realized. In Bookholm, the eponymous metropolis, books are the most precious objects in all of existence. Literature is exalted, authors are worshiped, and books are traded like commodities. This society, however, is not as pleasant as one might think.

This book is, quite literally, an adventure. It is filled with heart-racing excitement, nail-biting anticipation, horrific monsters, fiendish villains, surprise heroes, and even more surprising friendships. Nothing is what it seems, and every page contains a new revelation. You will read it until your eyes are bleary and sleep calls you because you simply must know what happens next.

Its thrilling plot and marvelous characters aside, this book is remarkable because it reminds you of just how glad you are to be literate, to be able not only to read a book, but to experience it. This book will leave you brimming with pure, unadulterated joy and a smile on your face. The City of Dreaming Books is a celebration of reading. Walter Moers perfectly demonstrates the amazing ability of words to twist and turn into emotions.

Seriously, if you haven’t gotten my point yet, here it is: go read this book!

In response to some other reviews, I would never call this book a young adult novel. First of all, the vocabulary and allusions are simply too difficult for most teenagers or college students. Secondly, there’s quite a lot of brutality and murdering going around in the novel. Anyone who is just reading this book for the plot is missing the point of the book and fulfilling Pfistomel Smyke’s expectations of readers. Finally, although this book is described as being part of the “Zamonia series,” you do not need to read the other two to understand this one. All of Moers’s books are stand-alone.

P.S. If you like this book, four other books written by Walter Moers have been translated into English, including The Alchemist’s Apprentice (a novel “written” by Optimus Yarnspinner) which came out earlier this year!

Summer Reading List Fail

I am sad to say that I completely failed in reading the books on my summer reading list. I got caught up in books that weren't on my list, yet captivated me all the same.

First up: The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster by Bobby Henderson.

This book was a gift, and every page was full of laughs. This is not a book for overly serious people or really anyone who would be offended by the thought of a divine carbohydrate. If you are a fan of Richard Dawkins, then I'm sure you'll find this book just as humorous as I did.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

This book was, in a word, AMAZING. I simply adore this book. Like the Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, this book is not for people that lack a sense of humor. In fact, I think you have to be a particular kind of reader to enjoy this book. First, you have to love Jane Austen and adore her greatest novel as is. Second, you need to be able to handle seeing her greatest novel turned into a Resident Evil sequel.

Personally, I felt like the zombies just fit right in. I love P&P, and I love zombies. To me, this was a perfect medley of two great things: Regency romance and the evil undead. In some ways, the original book was made even better due to the changes. For example, this time when Darcy tells Elizabeth that he loves her despite his better judgement, she kicks him in the face. Grahame-Smith delivers everything that I ever wanted to see in the original.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies will never replace the original novel for me, but it is still a wonderful and enjoyable book that I look forward to rereading.

This Is Just To Say

Another video of Matthew Macfadyen reading poetry, this time "This Is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams. This poem has never sounded so good. :)

When You Are Old

Matthew Macfadyen (aka THE Mr. Darcy) reads "When You Are Old" by W.B. Yeats. I have always loved this poem; it has such a wonderful balance of quiet adoration and melancholic wistfulness. Matthew Macfadyen delivers a wonderful performance that completely embraces the duality of this poem.

When We Two Parted

A spectacular reading of a great poem by the original literary bad boy. Narrated by Richard Coyle, possibly the most diverse actor ever.

To tell the truth, this video completely altered my opinion of this poem. At first glance, I thought that this short poem lacked the wonderful brilliance and effervescence of Byron's longer works, Childe Harold and Don Juan (both of which I wholeheartedly adore), not to mention his characteristic wit. However, Richard Coyle delivers such a heartbreakingly honest and emotive performance that I couldn't help but fall in love with this poem.