To be put off watching anything by Neil Gaiman

It sounds like a horrendous mess, even if there isn’t enough evidence to convict of any crime. A relationship with such a large age gap (with a married older partner) is creepy and sinister enough as it is but the added power imbalance (he’s a world renowned author, he was her employer, he’s married to a fairly famous pop star) and the bdsm stuff. Wow. What a creepy fucking weirdo.

Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer have both made HUGE amounts of money both individually and together as part of their marriage, largely because they were ‘on the right side’ of feminism. Amanda isn’t responsible for his actions, but she is responsible for her own - her response to the woman approaching her is to tell her she’s number 14?! What. A. Class. A. Nob.

Agree he is a gross perv. Not condoning it. But at the same time there is no proof a crime was committed yet

I've been a fan of his writing since I was a teenager - 30 years or so now. Setting aside the actual rape allegations to take out the innocent until proven guilty issue, his version of events and defence of what happened - presumably meant to put him in as good a light as possible - make him look bad. Maybe not illegal, but would anyone here want him around their 20-ish-year-old daughter?

Right now I don't want to continue watching Good Omens 2 or The Sandman (I'm behind on watching them). I certainly will not read Calliope ever again, I haven't watched that episode yet and doubt I ever will.

But I thought the vast majority of sexual assaults never reach the court? Are all those men accused but never taken to trial not guilty? All of them?

Firstly you don't know me and know little about me, so perhaps wind ya neck in a little.

I am sorry to trot out the British legal system, but that is what happens in this country. Someone is accused, there is a trial, and that person is found guilty or not.
Not a new found commitment in me - just a commitment that everyone should have a fair trial. Served on Jurys three times now.
In my case I do not bring this maxim to cases only against violence to women and children. If others do that is their concern not mine.
I do not believe in trial my media - social or printed - and especially do not believe in trial by Mumsnet.

Yes, for the allegation of sexual assault. But he has already admitted to the "relationship" and that's enough to put me off. I have a 22 year old cleaner, and I can;t imagine my 55 year old Dh inveigling her into a consensual relationship 4 hours after he met her, even assuming we were in an "open marriage" as Neil claims he was. Perve.

Isn’t everyone entitled to a fair trial though ?

Not listening to the podcast. He has already admitted a consensual relationship with a 22 year nanny he met 4 hours previously, and that huge power imbalance is enough for me to say he is a predator.

I must say I thought the text the next morning talking about the amazing night etc was really strange given the allegations.

BUT I've now listened to the first section of the podcast and that really brings out the vulnerability of the young woman and the total power imbalance. It totally brings out her emotional turmoil at the time and her naivety. It actually makes the morning after text explainable because of her inability to make sense to herself about what had happened. And it comes over he was very practised in manipulating.

The pod cast is really well done but I don't know whether I can stomach the other 3 parts because it is actually quite a distressing listen.

Ugh, he's clearly an awful man. The signs were there though, in fairness.

Oh here we fucking go !

Same. At least we still have the book (I'm choosing to believe it was mostly Terry Pratchett, it certainly reads like him)

I was looking forward to the new Riders series too, but I don't want to look at Tennant's face any more now he's shown what a POS he is.

This is trotted out every time. The presumption of innocence is a maxim that applies in one forum only: a criminal court. It applies nowhere else, ever.

And every time it fascinates me how quickly people reveal a new found commitment to this maxim only, and it is only, where the allegations involve violence towards women or children. Speaks volumes.

Really used to enjoy his work but recently I have noticed him posturing a fair bit on social media, being a feminist ally, jabbering on about his open marriage. I thought hmmm.. All this does not surprise me. What 62 year old man has a consensual relationship with a 22 year old he met the same day?

He's great at storytelling but weak at characterisation particularly women.

Any suggested alternative authors?

Well good omens is fucked for me already because I can no longer watch David tenant without hearing him spit that women like me are 'little whinging fuckers' and adding in Neil gaiman being a rapist is cherry on the cake. I'm a bit sad that we had a Neil gaiman reading at our wedding :(

I never had a good opinion of him. I remember reading American Gods but couldn’t finish it as most of female characters were objectified and were attracted to the main male character. I remember I decided to stop reading the book when a gay woman kissed the main character.

This created for me an impression of his view on women, and maybe some of his own fantasies.

Agree and I think this is why the whole thing doesn’t sit right with me. It has certainly lowered my opinion of him and sends a shiver down my spine. The age gap is disturbing and I don’t know how he can call himself a feminist. I don’t know how far she will get with it though having sent him that text.

Well there's a massive power imbalance for a start. Maybe the women just wanted to keep heir jobs? I don't believe it's either consent or not, it's much more nuanced than that.