Doug Lewars's Blog, page 27

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I listened to the audio recording of this book and it was first rate. Neil Gaiman has a very pleasant voice. The story is engaging for the most part although it repeats the short story he wrote about Bod, the witch Elizabeth, and the stone marker and I think that one is in each and every collection he published. It's good the first time but I'll swear this was about my sixth. The rest of the book is first rate. I was a little disappointed by the ending. It was a happy one, I'll grant that but it left too many things unresolved. Still, he may be planning a sequel in which case leaving some things open makes sense. There was one rather glaring editing oopsy but I guess such things happen to every author now and then.

I think there's a fine line between foreshadowing and telegraphing one's pitches and I think Mr. Gaiman crossed the line with a name like 'Mr. Frost'. I was rather hoping he'd surprise me by not having the man turn out to be the villain which would have been a nice twist but, oh well, he needed to push on to the climax so it is what it is. Also at no time did the author state specifically what they were fighting in the cave beyond it being part of the villainous organization but in retrospect I think that was a good idea because it makes the reader think. It took me the better part of a day before the answer came to me.

I definitely liked this book and recommend it to all those who enjoy Neil Gaiman's work.



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The Neil Gaiman Reader

The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I quite enjoyed these stories and extracts from novels but it seems I've read more of Mr. Gaiman's stuff than I'd thought because there was quite a bit of repetition. Those stories new to me were interesting save for one which seemed pointless. I think if you enjoy Neil Gaiman and haven't read too much of his stuff you'll enjoy this collection.



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Anansi Boys

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I listened to the audio version of this book but I may have read it in text sometime in the past. For the most part it was highly entertaining although there were a few places were it was a trifle slow. A number of myths were included. I don't know if Mr. Gaiman researched them or just made them up but they provided an interesting twist on old folk tales. In those places were the paced slowed a bit, the auxiliary characters kept things going. Technically I suppose, the entire book is a form of myth inn which Tiger is outsmarted by Anansi even if the actual outsmarting is done by his sons. I recommend giving this one a try if you like mythology.



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The Truth Is a Cave In the Black Mountains

The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I listened to the audio recording of this novella but I'm pretty sure I read the text some years ago. The audio was very well done. It's a nice little grim piece and the menacing atmosphere is well crafted.



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The View From the Cheap Seats

The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I enjoyed the audio version of this book but I have doubts I'd have enjoyed it in text. For what I wanted it was perfect. I could start my tablet reading and then do exercises, prepare food, do other chores, or eat and Neil would rattle on in the background keeping me company. When I needed to focus on something, I'd turn off the tablet and he'd fall silent. When I turned it back on, he'd continue from where he was without complaint or without even a 'now where was I'. The content wasn't always interesting but I didn't need it to be. It is a collection of introductions, some lectures, a few speeches and whatnot. Many of the people he extolled I've never heard of. Some I considered looking up but by then I'd moved on in the book, forgotten the names, and couldn't be bothered going back. Neil has a very pleasant voice to listen to. There are a couple of extremely positive things about this book. Since much of the work consists of introductions to books and other material, he's very upbeat in what he says which makes sense since he's being paid for positivity; however, over time it becomes infectious. It's sort of like listening to a fifteen hour Ted Talk. I felt more motivated than ever to write. In addition, some of the things he talks about enhance one's creativity. There is a risk, over time, when writing a couple of thousand words each day to become stale. This book was like a stimulant to the creative process for which I'm truly grateful. He points out the merits of crossing genre boundaries when reading and I intend to read a bit more of things I'd normally pass over. All things considered, for me this was a great book, but I don't think it's for everyone. I do think writers should give it a try.



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A Hat Full of Sky

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

Although an entertaining tale, this wasn't standard Terry Pratchett. It was a pretty good adventure, but lacked much of the humour of the others in the series. The Nac Mac Feegle provide a smile or two but no real laughter. This is a love story. It's about the love of a young girl for her late grandmother. It's about her love for the place of her birth, and her family, and where she grew up. It's about the sort of love which will cause her to take on a threat which is far out of her league and face it. She wins, but needs some assistance along the way. It's also about the relationship between the young witch and a much older mentor. Love and courage make up a large part of this work and it's highly enjoyable but as for the humour, maybe not so much. This is classified as YA. Maybe it is but I think adults can certainly enjoy it as well.



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M is For Magic

M Is for Magic by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I loved this book although i notice it is not highly rated. This confused me so I examined a number of the '1's to find out why. The chief criticism seems to be the stories are weird. This is true. If you want predictable stories move on. What Mr. Gaiman seems to be doing here is to force you out of your comfort zone, and to use a phrase long overused, 'expand your mind'. Simply put, he is attempting to make you see the world through different eyes. Frankly I think he succeeds but those who aren't comfortable with thoughts not prescribed by pop culture will be very disturbed. Another criticism is there's too much sex. Frankly i didn't even notice it but a couple of critics pointed it out in lurid detail. They argue the book is not suitable for children. One said she would never let her ten year old son read it. Evidently this woman has never heard of the internet. By age ten, if the lad ever found a computer he likely knows more about sex than she does. However she is typical of the new puritanism flooding modern day America - the one which states on the one hand sex is mandatory and on the other, utterly forbidden. These are the people who want library books removed from shelves because somehow they might corrupt children. If you feel that way don't waste your time on this book. There isn't much sex but it doesn't take much to bother some individuals.

If you like stories which make you wonder, what would happen if ... then I think you'll like these, but be prepared to step out of your comfort zone if that zone is restricted to your five senses and what you read in the newspapers or in social media echo chambers.



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American Gods

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

Not knowing what will happen next will keep you turning pages or listening to the audio recording. If the latter, don't try to do something else while listening. You'll find yourself so focused on the story you'll make a hash of whatever you're attempting. It was a treat from beginning to end. I came to Neil Gaimen from his collaboration with Terry Pratchett on Good Omens so I was expecting this to be humerous. It wasn't but I enjoyed it anyway. If you're a writer, I strongly urge you to read this because over the course of the book, Mr. Gaiman introduces so many ideas you're almost certain to find something you can riff on to the benefit of your own books.



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The Zodiac Paradox

The Zodiac Paradox by Christa Faust

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

The plot isn't bad. A psychopath stalks and kills a number of people. Eventually he is dealt with. That part was okay and the author kept things moving. After reading some of the reviews, a number of people claim you need to see the television series before reading the book. Since I don't watch television or own on for that matter, I had no idea this book was based on one. Had I known, that would have been a big flashing red light because I've found books based on television or movies don't appeal to me. Actually i don't know if this book was based on the TV series or the latter was based on the book. What I disliked was one of the two main protagonists. It wasn't so much he was unlikable, I found him unbelievable which, for me, is much, much worse. Walter and Bell are young scientists. and good ones too. The author appears to have report-scraped sufficient Biomed jargon to make the case for their being brilliant. However Walter seems unable to have a rational thought in his body. I simply cannot buy the idea of a top-rated scientist charging off at a villain like Don Quixote at a windmill. Scientists are rational. Walter isn't. I was ready to DNF the book at the 40% mark but I hate doing that so persevered by telling myself it has to get better as it can't get any worse. And it did get better, largely because the author reduced his focus on Walter and more on the plot. It was still a bit of a struggle to get through it but I managed. I won't be reading any more books in this series.



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Shakespeare for Squirrels

Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

The Shakespear riffs aren't Christopher Moore's strongest works but they're enjoyable nonetheless. This one was a little more convoluted than most but still good. It plays with Shakespeare's Mid Summer Night's Dream, keeps the action flowing and provides a few chuckles along the way.

Personally I prefer his vampire series - provided two books constitute a series - and I think Abigail is his strongest character and I think I've read most, if not all of his books. Some of her is reflected in Cobweb. It was an excellent idea to pretty much remove Jeff from this book and replace him at the end with Cobweb. Jeff was his weakest character. This bodes well for future stories in the Shakespeare series although having used the easier ones, he may have his work cut out for him going forward.

I also appreciated the Afterward in which he explains his thinking when he developed this book. I definitely recommend it for writers.

Overall, this is a pretty good book, not great but certainly worth reading.



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