What to Read if You Really Can’t Stomach Neil Gaiman Right Now
Neil Gaiman, once-beloved author, best known for short fiction and iconic longer stories such as Neverwhere, Stardust, Sandman, Coraline, and uh… multiple counts of extremely graphic horrible sexual assault.
I know, I know, I just took all the air out of the room.
Some folks, including myself, are finding it very difficult to separate art from artist— in particular, because he spent so much time positioning himself as a safe space for women and marginalized folks and in the meantime was precisely the sort of danger he claimed his books were a refuge from, and also because it seems pretty clear that some of the scarier things about Ocean at the End of the Lane and some other books (see also: Calliope in Sandman) are things that he’s actually got direct experience with in some pretty scary ways.
But we’re readers, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. And we want things to read, and we still want that escape from the bad stuff in the world, which regrettably now includes an author that we’re still unpacking some big feelings about. So these are the books that I’d recommend in the meantime!
ALL of the Terry Pratchett (I’d personally start with Wintersmith, or maybe Hogfather or Wee Free Men).
I know, there’s some discourse about whether or not Pratchett is now somehow tainted by his association with Gaiman and their work together on Good Omens. Personally, I say no. It’s my opinion that Good Omens reads much more like a Pratchett novel than a Gaiman novel to begin with, and that the author’s note and acknowledgements feel like an older, established author giving a young hotshot a chance, not a colluder coddling a fellow abuser. But you do you. Also, there’s a limit to how much can come out now about Pratchett, given that he’s no longer with us. So, some solace in that, I guess?
My Lady Jane or My Salty Mary by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows
Listen. It’s irreverent alternate history with magic. It’s fun and silly and also socially aware, and I’ve been finding a LOT of comfort in it lately. I read My Salty Mary on an airplane last week and had such a good time. Highly recommend.
Jade City by Fonda Lee
I really, really loved this trilogy. It’s very much seedy-underbelly-of-thriving-city, with gang politics and a delightfully nonspecific historical feel. Also, magic. And combat.
Starling House by Alix Harrow
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. It’s got magical realism and also actual magic, and it’s a story about generational trauma and revenge, and it gets into the insidious nature of the coal mining industrial complex in the American south. So, like, obviously I loved it.
Tress of the Emerald Sea if you’re already into Brandon Sanderson, or maybe the Cytoverse (Skyward) books, if you’re new to his books.
Brandon Sanderson is good for some escapism, especially if you struggle with depression and self-worth/self-image. Also, not for nothing, but Skyward contains my favorite character Sanderson’s written yet— a snarky sentient flying ship obsessed with mushrooms.
The Magicians books by Lev Grossman
Magicians is great if you’re struggling with disillusionment, adulthood, and especially with authors turning out to be disappointments. The SyFy adaptation (currently on Netflix, though I don’t know for how much longer) is also excellent, and delves quite directly into that last bit.
Legendborn by Tracey Deonn
If you haven’t read Legendborn yet, you’re doing something wrong. No, really. Stop reading this post, go pick it up, and come back when you’re done.
It’s about generational trauma. And magic school. And institutions that protect people who really probably shouldn’t be protected because they’re “too important” to a community, or because their image must be kept pristine, or whatever other bullshit language has been used to protect predators over time. Legendborn pulls no punches, covers some important topics, and still manages to be one of the most enjoyable takes on Arthurian mythology I’ve read in years.
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
Listen. Did I think this book was perfect? No. But do I think that if you’re a former Gaiman fan, looking for a bit of magical escapism, and some good lyrical writing about the darkness that resides in problematic power dynamics, this book might be a good place to park yourself for a bit.
Shades of Magic by VE Schwab
I know, I know, I recommend this series a lot. But hear me out— it’s a portal fantasy. About London. And also it’s about filial duty and sacrifice and choice and agency. And I really love it a lot. Also, Kell’s coat is the stuff of dreams— I want one.
Vicious, also by VE Schwab
If the thing that got you into Gaiman in the first place was his take on antiheroes and superheros-who-aren’t-that-heroic, I do think you’d like Vicious. Also, Sydney’s got a bit of Nobody Owens about her. Genre comparisons aside, if you like comics (especially Watchmen or The Boys), I think there’s a good chance you’ll like this.
Kushiel’s Legacy by Jacqueline Carey
Listen. This series comes with trigger warnings, which you should absolutely take seriously. But also— it’s so well done. And its discussion of the carelessness of gods, and the power of love and belief— just, chef’s kiss. So good.
Brave Story, by Miyuki Miyabe
If you grew up on Coraline and/or you love video games, and you’re looking for some good middle-grade fantasy, this is the one for you. Just trust me.
Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
Again with the middle grade fantasy! In a lot of ways, Un Lun Dun feels a bit like middle-grade Neverwhere with a touch of The Phantom Tollbooth, in the absolute best way. The premise is essentially that the Chosen One isn’t up for the job, so the bumbling best friend/sidekick has to do it. Shenanigans— and some very serious plot— ensue.
Nimona, by ND Stevenson
Nimona is just… fun. And unapologetic. And sometimes, we all need a dose of that. Think: shapeshifter who wants to be a supervillain interns for an actual supervillain, who is somewhat annoyingly in love with the hero of the land, and also isn’t terribly good at being evil. Again, shenanigans.
There are a lot of really great books out there that scratch the portal fantasy, magic underneath the real world, gods at the end of the world itch that Gaiman is so good at. And yes, for the most part, I’ve done. my best to construct this list primarily out of books written by women and people of color. Not entirely, but I certainly wasn’t going to leave Terry Pratchett off of this list. And here’s the thing- it’s not that I don’t think women can be problematic.
Trust me, as someone who grew up on The Mists of Avalon and Harry Potter, I know— there are monsters out there in all shapes and sizes. But I think that we should all be making an effort to read more marginalized voices in this day and age, and more stories written by women, and more stories that balance humor and sharp commentary with the acknowledgment that the world we live in is sort of burning. And while the authors on this list aren’t perfect— because they’re people and we shouldn’t expect them to be perfect!— they are, to the extent of my knowledge, at least TRYING. And that’s worth recommending.
Anyway.
I’m leaving the comments section open, if you’ve got your own recommendations to put forth— what are you reading? How are you coping? Please, share.
