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?

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 :-)

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.

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.

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

Never where hands down its amazing

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

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.

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!

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

Songs... Fat fingers.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

Neverwhere