I
I wasn't planning on a photo today, but then I saw what is becoming Elijah amidst my desk in the grey morning light and snapped a picture. My desk is a mish-mash of knitting items and work-related papers, scissors, and yarn. And an unfinished purple elephant.
What I was planning on talking about is a book I've just finished, Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman:
What I was planning on talking about is a book I've just finished, Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman:
I've always been a devoted reader of fantasy fiction. I love the idea of being able to do magic, of creatures that go beyond the ordinary. Of a world where the laws of science don't always seem to hold. Neverwhere is an lovely combination of fantastic creatures and not-quite-normal people set in the real, but not quite real, underground of modern-day London. At it's core, this book is about the main character finding himself and understanding what he really wants in life, but wrapped up in that journey is a tour through the London subway system of an alternate reality inhabited by people with remarkable skills and beasts from mythology. As I was reading this book, it struck me a little bit like The Wizard of Oz meets Paradise Lost. This book is a quick read, and Gaiman's writing is a treat to run your eyes over.
I'm also pretty psyched tonight because I purchased a farm share for the 2010 Cormo shearing from Juniper Moon Farm. next year I'll be looking forward to 24 ounces of lovely Cormo yarn. Ever since I first found out about this sheep breed I've been wanting a Cormo sweater!
I'm also pretty psyched tonight because I purchased a farm share for the 2010 Cormo shearing from Juniper Moon Farm. next year I'll be looking forward to 24 ounces of lovely Cormo yarn. Ever since I first found out about this sheep breed I've been wanting a Cormo sweater!
I loved Neverwhere. Even better than Neverwhere was being at a talk at MIT with Neil Gaiman, Harlan Ellison and Craig Shaw Gardner (quite a few years ago), and listening to Neil talk about how the BBC turned Neverwhere into a feature and some of the scary things that happened during the process. He is a very funny guy!
I follow Neil Gaiman's blog, and his writing there is usually pretty witty and entertaining, too. I wonder if that BBC production of Neverwhere is available anywhere?
Neverwhere is one of my favourite Neil Gaiman novels! I've always hoped he would write some sort of companion or followup, but as Mr. Gaiman is always moving on to new and different and marvelous things, it seems unlikely.
I think you've inspired me to reread it again!
I liked the way he ended the book, leaving the door open to something else (so to speak), but also wrapping it up so you don't feel a next book is absolutely necessary.
I haven't read that one. I recently read American Gods, which was...strange. I still don't know whether I liked it.
I'm with you on that one. I read it before I read Neverwhere and I haven't discussed it yet because I still haven't figured out what I think of the whole package, even though I loved the writing style. Neverwhere is very different in theme and style from American Gods.
Sounds interesting. Thank you for the book recommendation.
The DVD is available at Amazon (and probably elsewhere, but I'm too lazy to look).
I have the DVD and it's one of the few times I've preferred the movie/miniseries/whatever it is to the book. I highly recommend it.
Which is not to say that I don't love Neil Gaiman's books. Just liked the BBC production even better.
The DVD is available at Amazon (elsewhere I'm sure too). I highly recommend it -- liked it even better than the book, and that almost never happens.
Lifeline Theatre is doing a stage adaptation of NEVERWHERE this season. The adaptor, Robert Kauzlaric, just directed their very successful TREASURE ISLAND. He's been trying to get the rights to NEVERWHERE for years. Finally he got them. It should be an amazing show.
Four years ago, Griffin Theatre did an adaptation of STARDUST, as well.