Around the World in 80 Books discussion

Start discussion here for Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.

From: http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books...


Introduction

Richard Mayhew is an unassuming young businessman living in London, with a boring career in finance and a pretty but demanding fiance. Then one night he stumbles across a girl bleeding on the sidewalk. He stops to help her, and the life he knows vanishes in an instant.

Several hours later, the girl is gone, too. And by the following morning, Richard Mayhew has been erased from his world. His bank cards no longer work, taxi drivers won't stop for him, his fiance doesn't recognize him, and his landlord rents his apartment out to strangers. He has become invisible and inexplicably consigned to a London of shadows and darkness -- to a city of monsters and saints, assassins and angels -- that exists entirely in a subterranean labyrinth of sewer canals and abandoned subway stations. He has fallen through the cracks of reality and has landed somewhere different, somewhere that is Neverwhere.

Neverwhere is the home of the Lady Door, the mysterious girl whom Richard rescued in the London Above. A personage of great power and nobility in this murky, candlelit realm, she is on a mission to discover the persons responsible for her family's slaughter and, in doing so, preserve this strange underworld kingdom from the malevolence that means to destroy it. And, with nowhere else to turn, Richard Mayhew must now join the Lady Door's entourage in their determined and possibly fatal quest.

For the dreaded journey ever-downward -- through bizarre anachronisms and dangerous incongruities, and into dusty corners of stalled time -- is Richard's final hope, his last road back to a "real world" that is growing disturbingly less real by the minute.

Discussion Questions

1. Like The Odyssey, Alice in Wonderland, and many mythological stories, Neverwhere involves a descent into an underworld. What is the appeal of exploring a world that exists beneath the surface of our everyday lives? What does the marquis de Carabas mean when he tells Richard that London Below”the Underside”is inhabited by people who fell through the cracks in the world?


2. In what ways is it meaningful that Richard enters the world of London Below through an act of compassion for Door? Where else in the novel does he prove his willingness to sacrifice his own safety and comfort to help others? Why are these acts of courage and selflessness so important?


3. What are the major trials that Richard must face in his journey underground? What inner qualities do these trials bring forth in him? What kind of hero is he?


4. In what ways can the world of London Below be seen as a kind of inverted mirror of London Above? In what ways does this magical world, with its outrageous characters and floating markets that sell everything from rubbish and lost property to first-class nightmares and things that might have been hats and might have been modern art comment on the world above? In what sense is Neverwhere satirizing the normal world and its values?


5. The narrator describes the bodyguard Ruislip as resembling a bad dream one might have if one fell asleep watching sumo wrestling on the television with a Bob Marley record playing in the background, and suggests that Mr. Vandemar's voice sounds like night wind blowing over a desert of bones. Where else do we find this kind of highly metaphoric description in the novel? How do such descriptions make the book more vivid? In what ways is this kind of writing suited to the story being told?


6. What makes the characters Richard meets in London Below, "Lord Ratspeaker, Door, the marquis de Carabas, Hunter, Mr. Croup and Mr. Vandemar, Serpentine, the Earl, and others” so engaging? What magical powers do they possess? What character traits make each of them so distinctive? How do their reactions to Richard change over the course of the novel?


7. What is the significance of the Angel Islington turning out to be the betrayer and perhaps the most evil character in the novel? What motivates his treachery? In what ways is it appropriate that a man like Arnold Stockton owns the The Angelus statue through which Islington may be reached?


8. At the end of the novel, when Richard tries to explain to Jessica why he can't resume their relationship, he says "I've just changed, that's all." In what important ways has he changed? What has his journey in the underworld allowed him to discover about himself? Why would it be impossible for him to marry Jessica now?


9. While in London Below, Richard longs to go home where Everything is going to be normal again. Boring again. Wonderful again. Why does he find normal life so empty and dissatisfying when, after such a heroic effort, he finally does get home? Does he make the right decision in returning to London Below?


10. What does Neverwhere, as a whole, say about the themes of trust and betrayal, loyalty and disloyalty, selfishness and compassion?

I thought this book was a fun read. Very imaginative descriptions of London Below.

I've just started "reading" this, and I am really enjoying the descriptions in this book. I say "read" because I found the audio book on my library's website. Neil Gaiman likes to voice his own audio books. I get to hear a book about London read in a British accent. :)

I just listened to his . Plan to read this one and this month.

The BBC did a good job with the 1996 series based on Neverwhere, and episodes are available on youtube: Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EnQ6...

I just purchased the 15 anniversary edition of this series on Amazon for $8; the new Dr. Who, Peter Capaldi, plays the angel Islington.

"On Saturday 16 March 2013, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast the first, hour long, episode of Neverwhere. The subsequent five half hour episodes were broadcast throughout the following week on Radio 4 Extra and made available worldwide after broadcast on BBC iPlayer. It was rebroadcast on BBC Radio 4 starting on Dec 25th 2013 and continuing for 6 days."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwhe...

The cast includes James McAvoy as Richard Mayhew and Benedict Cumberbatch as Islington. Others in the cast include Natalie Dormer, David Harewood, Sophie Okonedo, Christopher Lee, Anthony Head, David Schofield, Bernard Cribbens, Romola Garai, George Harris, Andrew Sachs, Lucy Cohu, Johnny Vegas, Paul Chequer, Don Gilet and Abdul Salis.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01r522y

I'm looking forward to getting started because I love London so much. But already, I'm fascinated to discover the BBC series actually preceded the book, that Gaiman wrote the book because - what with tv being a collaborative project - it wasn't really going exactly as he would have it go....

And then he rewrote the book, to make it suitable for Americans... because, his agent said, "American readers would not be able to cope with jokes in a book that wasn't meant solely to be funny" ????!!!!!!?

Then he rewrote all the versions together a bit more and that's what I'm reading. I feel a bit disorientated now. And I'm hoping the jokes are in this one. And I'd like to watch the tv series, but only later.

Ok, I was wondering why he specifically said that "I am reading my favorite edition of the book" in the beginning of the audio book. I thought, how different could the versions possibly be? I believe he is reading the second version, but I didn't put much thought into the comment when he made it.

The joke is appalling. Incredible! So bad you have to laugh! Do you all have the one about the 3 pieces of string? Around the end of chapter 10?

The joke is Funny! And I can't wait to watch the TV series.

I thought the book was ok. It was a good read, but it wasn't really my thing.

On the other hand, I loved all the descriptions of London. I can't wait to visit. I love that there are real unused/closed down stations under London. I loved that I got to learn about the London wall (I did my own research after the mention in this book.)

I really loved Neverwhere so much more than the last Gaiman I read, even though it had some similar qualities. I loved London Below. I thought the interesting part of it is that it combines three different London Belows:

There's the literal world or abandoned underground stations, buried rivers, sewers, and bits of archaeology. All that really exists, there's many books about it. The floating market seemed a lot like Camden market in my misspent youth but I think it's been tamed a bit now.

Then there's the world of legend - history and mythology, the power of names and archetypes, with the implication that these have also been largely abandoned by the people Above.

Then there's the people who slip through the cracks, the destitute, the excluded or even those who choose to leave normal society. Or even abandoned bits of building which aren't quite buried yet. All melded together.

In reality, I think there is much less separation between London Above and London Below than there is in the book. --- I'm not saying we've really got an angel called Islington -- I mean I strongly suspect that 'London Above' watches all those underground sewers and tunnels quite closely and that 'London Below' people are in much closer and quite varied relations with those in the normal, boring world of 9 to 5. The history and legends around us are quite tangible and accessible at all times to any commuter with an eye in their heads and a bit of imagination.

Also I loved Carabas, but this is too long already.

I am loving some of the humor. I could picture this as a movie and I keep seeing Johnny Depp as Marquis de Carabas. I am completely drawn into the story already. I love the whimsical, ethereal, magical worlds created by Gaiman. I am also listening to American Gods on audio right now. I really am liking that one so far as well. These two may end up being my favorites of his. Just finished the book then movie of Stardust, which is my least favorite. I liked The Ocean at the End of the Lane and The Graveyard Book, but have still been hoping for more - I think these two may be it.

Sarah wrote: "I am loving some of the humor. I could picture this as a movie and I keep seeing Johnny Depp as Marquis de Carabas. I am completely drawn into the story already. I love the whimsical, ethereal, mag..."

Actually, Carabas is meant to be black. You could have Idris Elba but he might be a bit old for the part/busy. How about David Harewood, he's keen to get to Hollywood? I thought the original actor, Paterson Joseph was too cuddly-looking for the part.

I agree, Anne--and David Harewood DID play the Marquis in the radio play version. In fact, that entire radio play cast would be a dream cast for a film :-)

Cast
James McAvoy as Richard Mayhew, an ordinary young Scottish businessman, living in London. McAvoy says he was attracted to playing the role being a fan of Neil Gaiman since watching the original television series of Neverwhere, and agreed to play the part before reading the script.

Natalie Dormer as Lady Door, the daughter of Lord Portico, whose family has the power to open any door, even where one did not previously exist.

David Harewood as Marquis de Carabas, a mysterious nobleman trickster. According to Gaiman, de Carabas is named after the character of the same name in Puss in Boots.

Sophie Okonedo as Hunter
Benedict Cumberbatch as Islington
Anthony Head as Croup
David Schofield as Vandemar
(full cast list at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwhe...

"Director and writer Dirk Maggs is perhaps best known for his modern radio retellings of Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s series and the Harry Enfield-starring Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency Translating Adams’ comic fantasy and sci-fi worlds into “audio movies” then, was the perfect preparation for adapting Neverwhere."

http://www.dirkmaggs.com/

(since the list of discussion questions tips the beans, I don't feel anything I say here is a spoiler, but just in case, you've been warned!)

I'm a fan of Neil Gaiman and love his parallel worlds. I'm still savoring the contrast between Coraline, where the protagonist returns to the mundane world with a greater appreciation for the ordinary people in her everyday life vs. Neverwhere where the protagonist leaves the mundane world for the dangerous, but stimulating London Below. I found both endings very satisfying.

Julia wrote: "The BBC did a good job with the 1996 series based on Neverwhere, and episodes are available on youtube: Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EnQ6...

I just purchased the 15 ..."

Thank you for posting YouTube's link :-)

I really love this book, just finished a couple days ago. I read the 10th Anniversay Edition of American Gods earlier in the month, in it Gaiman said he'd like to revisit London Below in a future novel. Hope he does :)

I finally got the story from the online library waiting list. It's taking a bit of getting used to but Gaiman's voice is superb and the sound effects/music are amazing on the iPhone. I'm just a little over an hour into it, so here's to another adventure *cheers*.

I haven't listened to Gaiman narrating his books yet, but I've heard he's an excellent narrator. Have to try one sometime! Enjoy your read, it's a good one :).

I finally finished the book! I had to keep returning it and waiting to get it back. My first Gaiman book was The Graveyard Book, which won the Newberry Medal in 2009. I read it with a group of students. Fantasy is not my favorite genre, however the book was well-written. Therefore, I was somewhat hesitant to read another Gaiman book. This one took me awhile to get into and I have to say it wasn't until the last six chapters that I actually enjoyed it. Many similarities to The Graveyard Book, and I would assume that his other books have the same motif. Since I have been to London before, I could imagine the Tube stations and the other landmarks. More of an adult read than for children. If one enjoys fantasy, then Gaiman is a writer for you.

I am currently doing an assignment at college which involves me asking my target audience which are primarily fans of the urban fantasy genre. Obviously, you don't have to but it would be very helpful if some people who are reading this would help me out with my work and answer some of the questions bellow. It doesn't require any personal information and will help me a ton!

Name/username:

Do you enjoy urban fantasies as a genre?



Do you play MMORPG games e.g. World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls Online?




Does Neverwhere mean anything to you?




What age do you feel you got into urban fantasy or MMORPG games?




Would you play an urban fantasy game based on the story of Neverwhere?




What characters that I have created do you like the most and why?

Richard Mayhew: https://drive.google.com/open?id=15XF...
Hunter: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ibO...
Mr. Croup: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Irl...

Sorry for the Google Drive link I wasn't sure on how to import an image onto this forum.

Blank questionnaire

Name/username:

Do you enjoy urban fantasies as a genre?



Do you play MMORPG games e.g. World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls Online?




Does Neverwhere mean anything to you?




What age do you feel you got into urban fantasy or MMORPG games?




Would you play an urban fantasy game based on the story of Neverwhere?




What characters that I have created do you like the most and why?






Apologies for any bad spelling.

Replying to James questionnaire

Name/username: Marcus31



Do you enjoy urban fantasies as a genre?

I have always been intrigued by the fantasy genre as a whole but have only fairly recently got into urban fantasy. I have really enjoyed reading books like Hunted and Neverwhere because they are fantasy story’s that take place in real locations like London in Neverwhere. I especially liked Neverwhere because the locations in the story are places I have been to and that brings the story to life in a sense.


Do you play MMORPG games e.g. World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls Online?

I don’t play any computer games anymore however I used to play Runescape when I was younger on an old computer.


Does Neverwhere mean anything to you?

Neverwhere is an urban fantasy book and TV series created by Neil Gaiman that is about a fictional place called London below which is directly underneath London. The story revolves around a character called Richard Mayhew who find himself stuck in a parallel world that he knows nothing about. He meets a variety of different characters as well along his travels completing quests throughout the story.


What age do you feel you got into urban fantasy or MMORPG games?

I got into my first urban fantasy book which was Neverwhere because I had previously read his other book which was American Gods in my late 20’s so when I researched Neil Gaiman I found out about Neverwhere.

I never properly got into any MMORPG games but I occasionally played Runescape in my early 20’s.


Would you play an urban fantasy game based on the story of Neverwhere?

I probably would have when I was younger, but I don’t really have a passion to play computer games anymore and I feel like if I did get into a game I would get very addicted to it which isn’t healthy for me.


What characters that I have created do you like the most and why?

I really like the way you created Mr. Croup to look with his reptilian eyes and his evil, menacing grin that gives of his sinister personality. I also liked the way you made his gave him a stance which makes him look powerful and important.


Sorry if some of the answers given are blunt or unhelpful I tried to give answers that would help you with research.