I have no idea why, but I didn't like this book anywhere near as much as American Gods. It's still interesting and fun to read, but... there's a different tone, definitely.

It was fun, I know I enjoyed it, but now I come to review it I don't much remember what happened.

I have been looking forward to reading this book for a long time. I moved slowly up the library waiting list, and finally there it was in my hands at last. Which makes it all the more disappointing that this book failed to live up to my hopes. This is a harsh thing to say about a well-written book that's hilarious in spots, and poignant in others. I couldn't help comparing it with American Gods, and it falls sadly short. American Gods has haunted me since I first read it, several years ago. Anansi Boys made me smile, but didn't stick with me at all.

Haven't read much Neil Gaiman, but will seek out some more.

I don’t know why I put this down as a three initially. Obviously, it’s bumped up after subsequent rereadings.

I think it’s partially because Charlie reminds a little too much of Richard from Neverwhere at the beginning of this, as they’re both milquetoast characters who get thrown into the fantastical world. But while Richard just seems to accept everything that goes on in that book, Charlie does take charge of his situation and although he cocks up massively, Charlie does try to make things right. But for the beginning of the book, I’m not a fan of Charlie. I can relate to him and his boring life (and many of those Mitty-esque fantasies), but I don’t really warm up to him until he starts to man up. And aside from Mr. Nancy (because he’s one of my favorites from American Gods), the only character I really gelled to automatically was Daisy. She’s funny, I like her chemistry with Charlie and her natural desire to do right. Most every other character falls along the same lines of Charlie: okay, character, kind of bland and then starts getting better as the plot goes on. Although Maeve Livingstone is pretty awesome anytime that she shows up.

This could really be taken as the lighter and softer version of American Gods, as it touches on some of the same general themes (including one that’s a big massive spoiler). It’s more of a side story exploring the larger aspects of that universe, and I like that this is a more personal story than the American epic. And to people who think that Good Omens is only funny because of Terry Pratchett, read this to be proven wrong. Gaiman’s been funny, and this is hysterical while Gaiman retains his general style. The part where Spider is being attacked by murderous birds, but then you add murderous penguins and flamingos.

I do like this book a lot, but I really wouldn’t recommend to start with when going into Gaiman for the first time. It’s more accessible, but it’s not very representative of his work as a whole. I’d actually say start with American Gods and then moving on to this.

Not quite as good as American Gods but lighthearted and funny. Hilarious at points.

This book uses the same mythos as American Gods and is set in the same world/universe. There's not a ton of overlap though, and they can be read independently.

I liked this a lot, but I will admit to some frustration at a really boneheaded move by the main character. I even put the book down for close to two weeks but finally picked it back up and he redeemed himself.

This little book ended up being fun, although, for some reason, I wasn't keen on the plot at first (as read on various forums/summaries). It took some time getting in, because the reader does not see the various characters' connections to each others, but, like a spider's web, they end up joining and making sense towards the end. The characters become likeable the more they get into the action, whereas the early characterisation could easily fall into stereotyping. While I'd say I prefer Gaiman's novellas or graphic novels, this one ties in well with the other 'American Gods' novel, as there are gods too. A good read, but not Gaiman's best.

One of the things I really appreciate about the Neil Gaiman books I've read (well, the grown-up ones, which are this one and American Gods) is that they're not overtly sexual. Sex happens in them, but there's none of the awkward knowledge that someone sat down and decided which words to use for which body parts, imagined this particular scenario, and now is passing this particular, specific fantasy to me via the words on the page.

Maybe it's just me, but I find that weird.

So, I like that Gaiman lets suggestion and innuendo do the work for him. It gets the job done and doesn't weird me out. Call me a prude if you like; it wouldn't be the first time. At least not my first time. (See...like that.)

Even aside from the non-awkward sexual references, this was a good story and the writing was solid. The characters were complex and I loved the way Gaiman played with language, between the dialects and the excellent stoat references. I listened to part of this on audiobook while crocheting a scarf, and Lenny Henry's command of accents really enhanced the experience (until I started wondering why I was sitting with a ball of wool in my lap in unseasonably warm spring weather listening to a story set largely in tropical climates and I switched back to the large-print version that was all they had left at the library when I went to check out the book).

One idea I really liked was that people reflect the art around them.

"People take on the shapes of the songs and the stories that surround them, especially if they don't have their own."

Which is a good reason to avoid television, I think. That was kind of implied in the Grahame Coats character, with all of the cliches he uses and references to crime dramas and reality police shows. These were the stories that surrounded him and that shaped him. And I suppose you'll just have to read the book to see where that got him. I appreciate that Gaiman seems to lean towards writing the kind of story by which I don't mind being shaped.

Like I was saying, though, it was good, but it didn't capture my imagination the way American Gods did. It seemed a little too neat (neat in the "not messy" sense). And all of the transatlantic flights kind of wore on me. I don't enjoy flying, even in novels.

It starts out as funny as something by Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett. While the humor declines a bit as the tale goes on, the enjoyment remains.--J.