Which Neil Gaiman book should I start with?

[Shei]

Neverwhere is a great start -- this would give you a primer on how wonderfully twisted and imaginative Gaiman's world is. :)

[Melanie]

My two favorites, "Wolves in the Walls" and "The Graveyard Book."

[Natalie]

I looked through your bookshelves and you and I have a lot of 'to-read' books in common. Some of Neil Gaiman's books can be hard to get into. I put his books into 2 categories. I would say if you have never read anything by him, don't start out with the "harder" stuff, and by this I don't mean difficult to read or anything, just I don't know more involved?? It's hard to explain. I wouldn't start with American Gods. I would start with the "easier" books, they are lighter and entertaining and sometimes just as twisted as the others. The Graveyard Book is GREAT, I am actually just about to re-read it, but I would start with M Is for Magic which has a short story in it that the graveyard book is based on. He has other short story collections too. really it is up to you. If you like fairy tales there is Stardust, and Coraline but I would consider those more for children perhaps.

[[deleted user]]

I started with American Gods and I was completely hooked to all of his works. I would say Graveyard Book is a good start ONLY if you're younger. It's an amazing novel, but if you read Gaiman's adult works first, you could appreciate The Graveyard Book more.

[Victoria]

James wrote: "I didn't really like the Graveyard Book, it's a children's novel that is too dark for most children and too underdeveloped for most Gaiman fans."

I didn't think it was too dark for children. The opening scenes are a bit much, but when you lay it on a shelf next to Roald Dahl, Jaqueline Wilsn or Suzanne Collins it fits right in. My 12 year old loved it, and has moved straight on to Good Omens, co-written with Terry Pratchett.

[Jeffery]

The Graveyard Book is a great place to start. I started with American Gods and absolutely loved it (still my favorite of his), but it is a bit more weighty. I also loved Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, which has a kind of Monty Python/Hitchhiker's Guide vibe to it.

[Bets]

I first know Neil was a book I picked from a book fair, it was totally a coincident. By the time I finished reading The Graveyard Book I decided that, he is my favourite author. So yeah I would recommend you to start with the graveyard book and maybe listen to the audio book as well. Neil is the reader and he is an amazing storyteller.

[Penny]

I really enjoyed the Graveyard book, although it is a childrens book, I found it fun and spooky!

[Marian]

I saw Neverwhere a few years ago and loved it! That caused me to find the novel and I loved it more than the production and that got me started reading his works.
The only one I can't get into is Sandman but I don't like graphic novels. I think Sandman is what made his reputation and he's gone on from there.

[G.l.]

I enjoyed Neverwhere immensely. I'm not sure that it really matters what order you read them in as each one is a gem in my opinion, just in different ways.

[Sara]

His YA/ children's books are good but I wouldn't start with them. Read some of his other works like Good Omens or Neverwhere would be a better starting point. Or one of his graphic novels like Sandman which he has won awards for.

[Brenda]

I really need to see NEVERWHERE -- is it a good production?

[Paul]

Brenda wrote: "I really need to see NEVERWHERE -- is it a good production?"

The production isn't top notch, but it's still an enjoyable watch.
It's a British production, the effects are pretty campy, as well as alot of the dialogue, but I would still recommend it... if only just to get it out of one's system...
Also, Maddie Gaiman makes a brief appearance :-)

[Lesley]

Sean wrote: "J.A. wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Coraline the movie was a delight, BTW. Has anyone seen the BBC production of NEVERWHERE?"

I saw it a couple of years ago before I started reading Gaiman's work, it was..."

I think I read somewhere that the Marquis de Carabas was Neil Gaiman's own version of the Doctor - and although he was supposed to be one of the most untrustworthy characters, he was actually the most loyal and faithful person there. I also love the idea that there might be a real Earl of Earl's Court, and a real Angel called Islington!

[Izzy]

I would say The Graveyard Book. 5 star to me.

[jPhx]

Definitely "Neverwhere".

[Christine]

ANANSI BOYS!!!

[Danndara]

this book is one of my sunshine states book and its okay there is some parts i liked and some i didn't but other than that it was okay

[Chinelo]

my first Neil Gaiman book was the this one i have fragile things and coraline..yet to read them

[Gina]

I would recommend 'Neverwhere' to start. But one of my favorite books of all time is his 'Stardust'. A grown-up fantasy that is never cloying, nor a romance novel in disguise. The movie is also perfectly wonderful, and yet it seems so few people have seen it.

[Chinelo]

Gina123 wrote: "I would recommend 'Neverwhere' to start. But one of my favorite books of all time is his 'Stardust'. A grown-up fantasy that is never cloying, nor a romance novel in disguise. The movie is also per..."
omg i didnt know he was the one that wrote that....i love the movie i watched it a 1000 times over

[Gina]

Nels_cee wrote: "Gina123 wrote: "I would recommend 'Neverwhere' to start. But one of my favorite books of all time is his 'Stardust'. A grown-up fantasy that is never cloying, nor a romance novel in disguise. The m..."

Well, I am glad to hear it, Nels_cee! I think it's as good as 'The Princess Bride' in its way, such wonderful acting etc., and deserves to be as well known. Will you read the book, do you think?

[Chinelo]

Gina123 wrote: "Nels_cee wrote: "Gina123 wrote: "I would recommend 'Neverwhere' to start. But one of my favorite books of all time is his 'Stardust'. A grown-up fantasy that is never cloying, nor a romance novel i..."

i read princess bride i haven't watched the movie

[Gina]

Nels_cee wrote: "Gina123 wrote: "Nels_cee wrote: "Gina123 wrote: "I would recommend 'Neverwhere' to start. But one of my favorite books of all time is his 'Stardust'. A grown-up fantasy that is never cloying, nor a..."
I actually meant read 'Stardust', but 'The Princess Bride' by William Goldman is a great book too. ;0}

[[deleted user]]

Coraline or The Graveyard Book, both books are super awesome! (I love the Graveyard)

[Chinelo]

Paola wrote: "Coraline or The Graveyard Book, both books are super awesome! (I love the Graveyard)"

i am yet to read coraline i have the book

[Rowan]

Neverwhere or American Gods!

[Raven]

Beatrix wrote: "I recommend Stardust or Neverhere."

Stardust was also my first (or one of) and I think is an excellent introduction. I agree, American Gods was hard at first but ended up being a favorite.

(The Graveyard Book is fantastic, but I would save it for later as one would look forward to a delectable desert.)

Also BBC production of Neverwhere was good, I think I had enjoyed reading it first even more.

[Rowan]

I didn't know there was a BBC production! I will have to check it out! Do you know when it was made?

[Raven]

Unless I am much mistaken, I think it was actually written for TV. According to my set, it looks like it was produced as a 6 part series by BBC in '96 and later released by A&E in 2003. You could try looking it up on everyone's favorite online bookseller? *shrugs*

[Julia]

The Graveyard Book is a little freaky so I think that you should start with something different.

[Neil]

You should definitely begin with "Neverwhere". This is the greatest!

[LindaJ^]

Hard to go wrong with Neil Gaiman. I have loved all that I've read, especially Neverwhere, Anasi Boys, Coraline, and Good Omens. He great fun to read.

[Harriett]

the first one I read was Anansi boys, then Neverwhere. Both great!

[Jessica]

I started with Stardust and zoomed right throught it. It's a fairly easy read, especially once you separate it from the movie. It's very different. My next Gaiman was Neverwhere, which I also enjoyed, but I felt like it dragged in a couple of places and got bogged down in the allegory/comentary on homelessness in Great Britain. I have Graveyard Book and Ansai Boys, but I haven't read them yet only because someother book keeps pushing them down in the queue.

[Lucy]

Sorry for the delayed response on The Graveyard Book, school has me occupied, I never read Gaiman and just recently found another book by him at the library, Anansi Boys, I really enjoyed Graveyard, never read any other Gaiman books, saw the movie, Coraline.

[Naomi]

It took me a while to get into Gaimen's books, but after watching the movie Stardust I tried that one first and loved it. Then a friend gave me Neverwhere, which is ok, followed by the Graveyard Book which is excellent. So if you are choosing a book to start with I'd recommend Stardust or The Graveyard Book.

[Marian]

I enjoyed Neverwhere as an audiobook and also as the tv series so it maybe it's not a book to sit and read. I love Anansi Boys and have read it several times. I enjoyed the Graveyard Book.

[Sylvia]

Sandman is what I started off with...there is also american gods the graveyard book (childrens book) and unlike other i like would rather start off with american gods than anansi boys

[Wendy]

Elia wrote: "Well, Mr. Gaiman himself (who I follow on twitter, and you should too :) @neilhimself ) has said that the only advice he gives to people who ask this question it to start with anything EXCEPT Ameri..."

Wow, really? it was the first book of his I read. Next was Neverwhere, Anansi Boys, Stardust ... Almost the only things unread are Sandman - hard to find in my local library.

[Grad]

I loved The Graveyard Book and would start there. The Ocean At The End of the Lane was amazing as well. I liked Anansi Boys very much but, frankly hated American Gods. I think one either loves or hates that one - no in between.

[Michelle {Book Hangovers}]

I started off with Neverwhere, then Coraline, Stardust, The Ocean At The End of the Lane and then The Graveyard Book. Next up on the list is Anansi Boys, which I started and It's quite funny. So far all of these books I've read by Mr. Gaiman were pure pleasure. I love his writing! And if you get the chance, try listening to some of his stories on audio!! With him reading it; Like The Graveyard Book. WOW it was so enjoyable to listen to!

[Danielle]

J.A. wrote: "Liz wrote: Another children's series you might try is Lemony Snicket. I loved listening to Tim Burton (movie director) read them! "

Tim Burton did NOT direct A series of unfortunate events, Brad ..."

Tim Burton, Tim Curry, easy peasy mistake! :)