Hi Sue_C, how would you say American Gods compares to Stardust? I loved Stardust but I know his writing style is unusual to say the least! What about it made it less enjoyable than Stardust? I have America Gods on my reader but I've had too many books out of the library to read my own for ages.
What are you reading at the moment? (Part 4)
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I've shelved The Night Circus for now and have started on The Child Thief by Brom, I'm about twenty pages in and it's wonderful. It's a retelling of Peter Pan but very dark, I definitely wouldn't be reading it to my kids as a bedtime story.
Originally Posted by Lowri:
“Hi Sue_C, how would you say American Gods compares to Stardust? I loved Stardust but I know his writing style is unusual to say the least! What about it made it less enjoyable than Stardust? I have America Gods on my reader but I've had too many books out of the library to read my own for ages.”
“Hi Sue_C, how would you say American Gods compares to Stardust? I loved Stardust but I know his writing style is unusual to say the least! What about it made it less enjoyable than Stardust? I have America Gods on my reader but I've had too many books out of the library to read my own for ages.”
Hi Lowri, oh dear I'm going to have to think about this now! So, in no particular order,
I did enjoy American Gods and I do think that it's worth a read. I personally found it a more difficult read than Neverwhere & Stardust, it may be a cultural thing as I'm not a great expert on the USA geographically, nor really lifestyle wise apart from TV programmes! I soon became totally lost somewhere in America and a better knowledge of Norse mythology would have been an advantage too. The basic premise to the book is that immigrants to the USA over hundreds or even thousands of years brought their old gods and belief systems with them and now the old gods are battling for supremacy between themselves and also against the new gods of commercialism, tv, internet etc. Gods need believers to survive and be strong (a Terry Pratchett theme too). Added into the mix is mystery, murder, quirky characters and some love interest (I think, from memory).
Stardust and Neverwhere both have quite a light and "romantic" feel to them, even when horrible things happen. American Gods feels darker and is less straightforward. I think that Stardust is an archetypal fairytale and it's easy to read because it follows that pattern.
Neverwhere is about falling between the cracks and again, it's simpler than American Gods. It appealed to me because I enjoy books about London. I loved the characterisation of place names, there really is an Angel called Islington, Blackfriars are monks, Old Bailey is an old man who likes rooftops. I was hooked from the start, American Gods took a long time to get into.
Well, I hope that makes sense. Another enjoyable Neil Gaiman read is Anansi Boys by the way.
Originally Posted by Sue_C:
“Hi Lowri, oh dear I'm going to have to think about this now! So, in no particular order,
I did enjoy American Gods and I do think that it's worth a read. I personally found it a more difficult read than Neverwhere & Stardust, it may be a cultural thing as I'm not a great expert on the USA geographically, nor really lifestyle wise apart from TV programmes! I soon became totally lost somewhere in America and a better knowledge of Norse mythology would have been an advantage too. The basic premise to the book is that immigrants to the USA over hundreds or even thousands of years brought their old gods and belief systems with them and now the old gods are battling for supremacy between themselves and also against the new gods of commercialism, tv, internet etc. Gods need believers to survive and be strong (a Terry Pratchett theme too). Added into the mix is mystery, murder, quirky characters and some love interest (I think, from memory).
Stardust and Neverwhere both have quite a light and "romantic" feel to them, even when horrible things happen. American Gods feels darker and is less straightforward. I think that Stardust is an archetypal fairytale and it's easy to read because it follows that pattern.
Neverwhere is about falling between the cracks and again, it's simpler than American Gods. It appealed to me because I enjoy books about London. I loved the characterisation of place names, there really is an Angel called Islington, Blackfriars are monks, Old Bailey is an old man who likes rooftops. I was hooked from the start, American Gods took a long time to get into.
Well, I hope that makes sense. Another enjoyable Neil Gaiman read is Anansi Boys by the way.”
“Hi Lowri, oh dear I'm going to have to think about this now! So, in no particular order,
I did enjoy American Gods and I do think that it's worth a read. I personally found it a more difficult read than Neverwhere & Stardust, it may be a cultural thing as I'm not a great expert on the USA geographically, nor really lifestyle wise apart from TV programmes! I soon became totally lost somewhere in America and a better knowledge of Norse mythology would have been an advantage too. The basic premise to the book is that immigrants to the USA over hundreds or even thousands of years brought their old gods and belief systems with them and now the old gods are battling for supremacy between themselves and also against the new gods of commercialism, tv, internet etc. Gods need believers to survive and be strong (a Terry Pratchett theme too). Added into the mix is mystery, murder, quirky characters and some love interest (I think, from memory).
Stardust and Neverwhere both have quite a light and "romantic" feel to them, even when horrible things happen. American Gods feels darker and is less straightforward. I think that Stardust is an archetypal fairytale and it's easy to read because it follows that pattern.
Neverwhere is about falling between the cracks and again, it's simpler than American Gods. It appealed to me because I enjoy books about London. I loved the characterisation of place names, there really is an Angel called Islington, Blackfriars are monks, Old Bailey is an old man who likes rooftops. I was hooked from the start, American Gods took a long time to get into.
Well, I hope that makes sense. Another enjoyable Neil Gaiman read is Anansi Boys by the way.”
I'm a big fan of books based on mythology but like yourself, my American knowledge is limited to the TV! The premise sounds very interesting though so I shall look forward to giving it a go. Incidently, I actually enjoy the Stardust film more than the book (very very unusual for me, often I won't even watch a film of book I like a lot); I think it's a bit more lighthearted, humourous and the plot is deeper and better constructed IMO.
I'm not a big fan of London and I only know a little more about it than America! So I don't know if Neverwhere is for me but I do prefer a book which doesn't require several days to understand!
Anansi Boys sounds very weird indeed (but I don't know why I find that surprising!)
Anno Dracula by Kim Newman and Every Dead Thing by John Connolly.
I often have more than one book on the go and the former is a physical book and the latter on the eReader
I often have more than one book on the go and the former is a physical book and the latter on the eReader
Originally Posted by goldberry1:
“Just started reading 'The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas' by John Boyne.”
“Just started reading 'The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas' by John Boyne.”
I hope your stock of tissues isn't running low
Originally Posted by Lowri:
“ Incidently, I actually enjoy the Stardust film more than the book (very very unusual for me, often I won't even watch a film of book I like a lot); I think it's a bit more lighthearted, humourous and the plot is deeper and better constructed IMO. ”
“ Incidently, I actually enjoy the Stardust film more than the book (very very unusual for me, often I won't even watch a film of book I like a lot); I think it's a bit more lighthearted, humourous and the plot is deeper and better constructed IMO. ”
For what it's worth, I agree. I found the book a struggle to be honest.
It probably helped that both Ben Barnes and Charlie Cox are hot.
Originally Posted by Sniffle774:
“Anno Dracula by Kim Newman and Every Dead Thing by John Connolly.
I often have more than one book on the go and the former is a physical book and the latter on the eReader”
“Anno Dracula by Kim Newman and Every Dead Thing by John Connolly.
I often have more than one book on the go and the former is a physical book and the latter on the eReader
”
How are you finding Every dead thing? I have had my eye on the charlie parker series, but not tempted yet.
Originally Posted by GiraffeGirl:
“For what it's worth, I agree. I found the book a struggle to be honest.
It probably helped that both Ben Barnes and Charlie Cox are hot.”
“For what it's worth, I agree. I found the book a struggle to be honest.
It probably helped that both Ben Barnes and Charlie Cox are hot.”
Really? I didn't notice
*whistles innocently*
Just finished "Before I Go To Sleep" by SJ Watson.
I enjoyed it, but felt it was slow to start and the conclusion felt a little rushed. But I still enjoyed it
I enjoyed it, but felt it was slow to start and the conclusion felt a little rushed. But I still enjoyed it
Originally Posted by ACU:
“How are you finding Every dead thing? I have had my eye on the charlie parker series, but not tempted yet.”
“How are you finding Every dead thing? I have had my eye on the charlie parker series, but not tempted yet.”
They are worth a read,every dead thing is quite hard going,it kind of takes you all round the houses and all the storytelling is a bit much,but its worth it in the end,and the rest are easier to get in to,I think maybe John Connolly realised he didn't need to write quite so much to get Charlie Parker's story across in the latter books
Originally Posted by kira nerys:
“They are worth a read,every dead thing is quite hard going,it kind of takes you all round the houses and all the storytelling is a bit much,but its worth it in the end,and the rest are easier to get in to,I think maybe John Connolly realised he didn't need to write quite so much to get Charlie Parker's story across in the latter books”
“They are worth a read,every dead thing is quite hard going,it kind of takes you all round the houses and all the storytelling is a bit much,but its worth it in the end,and the rest are easier to get in to,I think maybe John Connolly realised he didn't need to write quite so much to get Charlie Parker's story across in the latter books
”
Thanks for the feedback. Will give it a try, see how I get on.
Just started Night Shift by Stephen King, I've really got to stop reading Stephen King I think I'm addicted.
[quote=DJames99;60443793]Just started Night Shift by Stephen King, I've really got to stop reading Stephen King I think I'm addicted.[/QUOTE]
Same here - strand me on a desert island with a couple of trunk loads of his books and I would be perfectly happy!
Same here - strand me on a desert island with a couple of trunk loads of his books and I would be perfectly happy!
Renegade - The Lives and Tales of Mark E Smith: The lead singer of The Fall's memoir. It's a very entertaining read.
Originally Posted by ACU:
“How are you finding Every dead thing? I have had my eye on the charlie parker series, but not tempted yet.”
“How are you finding Every dead thing? I have had my eye on the charlie parker series, but not tempted yet.”
I've read all the Charlie Parker books, they are brilliant....give them a go !
Originally Posted by ribenacreep:
“The Help... review here.
I absolutely loved it!
http://teainteacher.blogspot.co.uk/”
“The Help... review here.
I absolutely loved it!
http://teainteacher.blogspot.co.uk/”
Ive got this on my kobo ready to go, I've heard good things about it.
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