Neil Gaiman - tell me your favourite book

[PseudoBadger]

I avoided him for ages (no idea why?!) and on recommendation I've read The Ocean at the End of the Lane and loved it. What should I read next?

[ConfuciousSaysWhat]

Neverwhere

[NeverEverAnythingEver]

I love the Graveyard book. It is so well observed.

And Trigger Warning. I didn't read all the stories, but I love the Sleeper and the Spindle.

[Enb76]

I enjoyed Stardust the film but it's like the How to Train your Dragon books vs films - you have to take each on their own merits rather than expect them to be exactly like the books.

The film is more in the vein of say, Willow and Princess Bride.

[iklboo]

Let's just say they change a lot of details. I don't mind it in a 'switch my brain off & chill' kind of way, but I know it offends a lot of Gaiman fans.

[Sleeperandthespindle]

I love Good Omens. The Radio 4 serialisation was brilliant. neverwhere is great and I think Stardust is brilliant. Haven't seen the film - is it truly awful?

[PerspicaciaTick]

Just checking that you all know that NG is currently adapting Good Omens for TV?

Just a tiny, weeny bit excited. but will be sad if it has David Bloody Jason in it

[AnneLovesGilbert]

Songs... Fat fingers.

[AnneLovesGilbert]

He's wonderful. And name-checked by Tori Amos in one of her sons! They're great friends.

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

American Gods for me too, and I also loved Neverwhere. I didn't have the same love for Ocean... whilst reading it but found it stayed with me a long time after I finished it which is probably quite telling. He seems like a really nice guy too!

[DidoTwiteInnit]

If you're a Gaiman fan you have to read The Sandman graphic novels. They are amazing and definitely his best work.

His short stories are fantastic too. 'Smoke and Mirrors' and 'Fragile Things' are must-reads.

[PseudoBadger]

Wow what a great response! I'm feeling the NG love
I think I'll go for Neverwhere first, and then The Graveyard Book.

[Claraoswald36]

Never where hands down its amazing

[strawberrypenguin]

Neverwhere. It's the first Gaiman I read and still my favourite of his. Graveyard book is up there in my list too

[HopeClearwater]

The Graveyard Book - yes it's suitable for children of maybe 10 years upwards, but I absolutely loved it (am in my 40s) and it has stayed with me.

[TodaysAGoodDay]

The first one I read was Neverwhere, and I was deeply sceptical before I started it. I loved it, the names are so clever, you will never look at London in the same way. A magical read, and I have now read most of his books and not found one I don't like.

[Iwantagoonthetrampoline]

OP you read my mind! Stumbled upon Ocean at the end of the lane a few months ago and loved it too. Was just browsing amazon trying to decide which Neil Gaiman to try next and thought I'd see if Mumsnet had anything to say... weird! I'm going for American gods :-)

[iklboo]

In fact, start with Good Omens. The Pratchett / Gaiman mix will ease you in. Damnit, guess what I'm downloading on my kindle tonight

[NotCitrus]

Good Omens, American Gods, Sandman (and then the Sandman Companion to tell you about all the bits you missed).

The TV version of AG looks wonderful. Coraline and the short stories are seriously creepy and I don't like them much, but the above have enough levity that it's balanced.

And the illustrated Stardust is just wonderful and beautiful. The film wasn't bad but different.

[BatmanLovesMarmite]

Another vote for Good Omens here too. One of my favourite books

[iklboo]

*going

[iklboo]

American Gods - after seeing the trailer for the to series I'm pretty hopeful. It's a book I keep gong back to.

Neverwhere is so good. The people & place names are clever.

Stardust is better than the film

Anansi Boys is good too.

Love Good Omens with Terry Pratchett.

[Enb76]

The Wolves in the Walls is one of his picture books - it's fantastic. I'm such a fan that I went to see him at a book signing and talk. The queue was massive. He read from Fortunately the Milk which is one of my daughter's favourites.

[Room101isWhereIUsedToLive]

Another vote here for American Gods, its one of those books that is just beautifully crafted and mind grabbing. Coralline is good but utterly utterly creepy.

[jongleuse]

Coraline & other stories (my favourite) or Stardust. Smoke & Mirrors is another good short story collection. Graveyard Book great for adults and 10+. If you have younger children, Fortunately the Milk or Odd & the Frost Giants. Some of his picture books are lovely too. In fact, IMO his writing for children is his best stuff...

[Branleuse]

ive only read neverwhere, but i really enjoyed it