Recommendations?

[John]

Hey All, I need some help. I'm a big Neil Gaiman fan... and no, that's not why I need help... but the man, while a great author, is not particularly prolific. Once I read Anansi Boys I'll be out of Gaiman literature. Can anyone recommend some authors with a similar sense of humor / outlook on life / writing style? I've tried Pratchett, but Pratchett without Gaiman is a bit too silly for me. The closest I've found so far is Martin Millar. Anyone else you can suggest? Thanks so much.

[Robin]

So I'm not a Gaiman expert but one thing that seems to me is he is quite "varied" in his style so I think it would be hard to find a match as compared to an author who kind of has a given "style" and uses it over and over.

-- Wife of GR author Michael J. Sullivan: The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)

[Sandi]

I've only read a few novels, a couple of juvenile books and a collection of short stories by Gaiman. The one thing I can say with certainty is that nothing I've read by him is like anything else he has written. Maybe if you told us which works were your favorites, we could help you more.

[Greyweather]

The first authors that come to mind for me are Nick Mamatas and Jonathan Carroll.

[John]

My favorite Gaiman is "Good Omens", but that's written with Terry Pratchett, so it has a very different tone than anything else he's done. If I had to choose my next favorite Gaiman I would say Neverwhere and then American Gods. I know a lot of people say his style changes drastically from book to book, but both Neverwhere and American Gods have a very similar sense of humor, so I can't entirely agree with that sentiment. I will give both Nick Mamatas and Jonathan Carroll a look, Greyweather. Thanks for the recommendations.

[Chris]

John,

I don't see the Sandman series listed there. Don't neglect it because it's a comic series. They're awesome. I found them to be similar in tone and depth to American Gods...

But as far as other authors go, I recently read a book by Alan Campbell called Scar Night. It reminded me a lot of Gaiman. It has humor but isn't silly. It is also quite unique and otherworldly. A city held above a massive abyss by ancient chains. It's dark in places, but light in tone....

[John]

Thanks Chris, I keep meaning to check out Sandman. I've heard nothing but good things about it. I'll also give Scar Night a look. It sounds interesting. Also, Sandi and Robin, I hope I didn't come across the wrong way in my response to your statements. I understand exactly what you're saying and I appreciate your responses.

[Sandi]

John, you didn't come across wrong at all. I can see from your answer that you like the darker, quirky stuff. An answer of Stardust would have led to entirely different recommendations.

Have your read Magic Kingdom for Sale/Sold and the other Landover books by Terry Brooks? They are very humorous with a slightly dark undertone. You also might like The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers. It has the flavor of "American Gods", without the humor.

[Sarah]

I was going to say Jonathan Carroll and Tim Powers. And Dark Cities Underground by Lisa Goldstein. Also, maybe Gene Wolfe, specifically Peace or Pandora By Holly Hollander.

[[deleted user]]

Maybe the similarity is a little superficial, but I read a few Charles De Lint books around the time that I read Neverwhere and Sandman. I don't remember if the writing is similar, but Gaiman and De Lint have a similar focus on what might be called the "folktale update/expansion business."

[John]

Thanks for the recommendations, Sandi and Sarah. I have read and enjoyed Brooks's Magic Kingdom series, but I'll give Tim Powers a look. Lisa Goldstein sounds interesting, too. I've read Gene Wolfe, but not "Peace". Thomas, I've actually read quite a few De Lint novels and really enjoyed them. Thanks again, everyone.

[Sandi]

Thomas, I love Charles de Lint's work and I never made the connection between him and Gaiman. In particular, Forests of the Heart has many of the same themes as "American Gods" and most of the Newford books share the world not seen concept of "Neverwhere".