A Walk Through the Immeasurable Lands of Neverwhere
- Elvira Dimitrova
- Sep 2, 2018
- 3 min read
“I mean, maybe I am crazy. I mean, maybe. But if this is all there is, then I don't want to be sane.”
I discovered Neil Gaiman's writing througout my university years, which to be honest weren't that long ago. Ever since then though, every time I read a book of his, it immediately becomes my new favourite. Well, until I read the next one he's written, of course. The first novel I had the pleasure of sinking into, was American Gods (a couple of years before it became a TV series). I enjoyed every single bit of it. It was so captivating that I couldn't leave it at all (only when I really had to go to bed because of work the next day). In my opinion, it's his style of writing that makes all of his books impossible to put away until you're done with them and which also enchants you to return to them as many times as you could.
During August he has been the author of the month for the very popular bookstore in Bulgaria - Orange Center and I have got to say that he deserves it one hundred percent (if possible, even more). Therefore I decided to read another one of his books - Neverwhere. And now I have a new favourite. Without question.
The story is facinating and fast-paced. The reader barely has a moment to relax and the new twist, surprise, or action scenes occurs before you have a second to feel like things have calmed down. Isn't that the perfect kind of fantasy? For me, it definitely is. The protagonist of Neverwhere is called Richard Mayhew and he has the kind of typical lifestyle that many of us strive for. He's got a well-paid job, a decent flat, and a very hot girlfriend who has recently become his fiancé. But life wouldn't really be that interesting if things remained that perfect, would it? So one evening Richard finds Door, who is on the run from some extremely dangerous assassins. This is the moment of change. This is the time when everything turns upside down. The Below becomes the spotlight. And what happens in London Below? Well, you've got to read the book to find out. One thing I can promise you though - you will enjoy every single bit of it (even more if you're a Gaiman fan already; if not, with this book, you will become one).
Already hooked? Trust me, you haven't even begun to imagine what's awaiting for you once you start turning the pages. The characters are all extremely interesting to follow. Even the villains, Mr Croup and Mr Vandemar, despite how gruesome they are and their strange methods of showing their madness, are intriguing and sometimes even unpredictable. My favourite character in the novel, however, is the Marquis. He's the most fascinating one of all and has the greatest number of cards up his sleeve. At a lot of points in the novel, he might cause you to continue reading in awe. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean the other characters do not surprise the reader. Not at all. Every single one of them had their moments. However, in my view, it is the Marquis who remained the most complex and compelling one until the very end.
If you're you're wondering whether to start reading this novel right now, I'll save you the trouble. Don't hesitate. Get it right now and allow yourself to become part of the amazing journey throughout the mysterious and dangerous parts of Neverwhere.
If you've enjoyed this review of Neil Gaiman's novel, you can give it some love by sharing it. You can also find my other reviews here. Now it's your turn to tell me which is your favourite Gaiman's book and why?
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