From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…

Neverwhere (London Below, #1)

Neil Gaiman

Start date: August 22, 2012

Finish date: August 31, 2012

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What Members Thought

Feb 07, 2014 Yzabel Ginsberg rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fantasy

Technically, it's not the first time I read this book. However, the actual first time was some 12 or 13 years ago, and I only had a French translation. I don't like translations.

I had kept good memories of Neverwhere, and fortunately, reading it again didn't change my perception of it. London Below really grew on me. I had no problems at all picturing it, imagining its strange inhabitants, its dark streets, its odd rituals. Those are the kind of themes that appeal to me.

On the downside, I'm a li ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 26, 2016 Andria rated it liked it

Neverwhere was an enjoyable read. But I can't shake the feeling that I didn't like it as much as I should have. It's an off-beat urban fantasy. An adult fairy tale, where office drone Richard Mayhew suddenly finds himself pulled into the underworld of London Below.

The novel is filled with colorful characters and increasingly absurd situations. But I never found myself liking or connecting with the characters as much as I wanted to. I wanted to be all over the swashbuckling, swagger-packed Marqui ...more

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Sep 22, 2011 Vickie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: booksthatmakemegowow, keeper-shelf, listened-to

This is a re-read of sorts. NEVERWHERE was my intro to Neil Gaiman and I've loved him since. Thank you to my sister for the intro. I have the MPB on my keeper shelf, but leaped at the chance to listen to Neil tell me the story of Richard and his adventure of London Below. Wonderful fantasy at its finest. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 05, 2020 Marla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: girl-power, paranormal, mystery, with-reservations, adventure, adult, horror, series, fantasy, science-fiction

3.5 stars. This book was slow at times and not my usual fare, but London Below was such a cool world in a deranged, dirty and deadly way. I didn't like Richard Mayhew at the start, but I don't think we were supposed to. Door's super power was very useful, though unusual. And the villains, Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar were a cross between cartoon villains and vile versions of assassins.

Likes:
* Multiple plans and alternate plans
* Flair of marquis de Carabas
(view spoiler) ...more

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Feb 28, 2016 Joyce rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, audible

What a delight, especially to listen to Neil Gaiman read the book to me. Couldn't help by like poor Richard Mayhew who became quite the warrior. All the characters were fun and the story was inventive and a joy. Who knew London underneath could be more interesting than London above? ...more

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