spider songs

[maribou]

Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman
This is my most favorite Neil Gaiman book ever, including any of his comics. Which is saying rather a lot. Also, you know who it reminds me of? Roald Dahl. Like, Matilda-type Roald Dahl. For grown-ups. Which is probably another one of my weird noone-else-sees-it slantwise associations, since everyone is all 'blah blah Douglas Adams blah blah Wodehouse" (okay, where everyone = Susanna Clarke, but whatever). Still, I couldn't get the likeness out of my head.
SO SO SO GOOD. And refreshing to be able to say that after what feels like rather a slew of enh in the fantasy department of late.
(208/200)

Comments

Oscar Wilde says, "Kneel, gamin"

[raisinbottom.livejournal.com]

I know that you know that I'm a pessimist and an idealist. Most British authors tend to have a certain kind of voice that's noticable with Chesterton to James to Gaiman. Most times it feels like I'm reading a pastiche of one seminal novel that swept the Empire back in the 19th century. Sometimes it feels like a wink and a nod to the reader rather than actually telling a story, like Randy Orton mugging for the camera during an intense match.

Now everyone's beloved Gaiman, the Joss Whedon of the literary set, so desperately wants to come across as erudite by bringing up mythological trivia that would put Bulfinch to shame. Part of the magic is that the fans put the book down, hit Google or the library and discover that it was really true. Let's not forget Lindee's most despised condemnation of Gaiman, "All his books read like comic books." I swear while reading American Gods I was imagining Shadow drawn by the Artiste du Jour working for scale at Vertigo before they're tossed into the void like so many of Ming the Merciless's concubines.

If only Gaiman would start playing with his own toys rather than the long forgotten and mouldering presents that his grandfather cast aside upon entering finishing school. He could take a point or two from Pratchett and I'm not even a fan of Pratchett.

Re: Oscar Wilde says, "Kneel, gamin"

[maribou]

"All his books read like comic books."
I've said that myself. But this one doesn't. Part of its appeal for me I think.

And I don't think knowing where we come from and caring about it equates to trying too hard.