SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

I was just sorting out my physical TBR shelf when I noticed something. Of the 30 books on there 5 are by Neil Gaiman. This is strange for a few reasons but the one that really messed with my head is that I have this unspoken 'rule' that says to only buy physical books if I'm really sure I will enjoy them. Or I've read them and want to reread them in the future.

I never read anything by him.

The closest I've got was the movie Stardust and the serie Lucifer. Both don't tell me anything about his writing style.

So why did I buy all those books?! American Gods and Anansi Boys were a cover buy. But the rest...

But they are here so they need to be read. My problem is I don't know where to start? I'm really overthinking this but I don't want my first book by him to be a disappointment (that's why I won't start with Stardust, apparently the movie is way different than the book?).

So I thought I would ask people who actually read some of his work and whose opinions I've always enjoyed when other people asked sort of the same question.

Where to start with Neil Gaiman books and what's your reason behind that choice?

I’m not sure about starting here, but I found Anansi Boys to be his most accessible, enjoyable novel.

I agree with Anthony, Anansi Boys is a lot of fun!

However for me Anansi Boys made more sense after having read American Gods, but it's not a sequel, so it can be read alone.

American Gods is fascinating but not *easy* to get into, but the complex story is completely worth it by the end where it all comes together. It's my favorite of his novels

You said you bought 5 of his, what are the others?

Alternatively you could look into his short stories. I just read "Murder Mysteries" as a comic adaption of his short story of the same name, and that was completely brilliant. I don't think I've read other short stories of his.

I don't know if The Graveyard Book is one of those five, but if it is one of them I'd recommend starting with that. It's original and a great story. I loved it.

Ada wrote: "...I won't start with Stardust, apparently the movie is way different than the book?). "

It is, yes, and it's one of those occasions where I liked the movie better than the book, though I do want to reread the book sometime soon.

***

I usually recommend people start with Neverwhere - partially because it's one of my favorites, but I find it a bit more approachable than American Gods (which was actually my second of his, after Sandman, and I loved them both).

You could also try a short story collection as a starting point, as this would give you an idea of his range. I mean, he really is all over the place in terms of tone and style... I always tell people who don't like American Gods to not let that be you're one defining point because all of his books are really quite different from each other.


Aside from Neverwhere, I'd agree that The Graveyard Book is a decent starting place, and I quite like Odd and the Frost Giants, which gives a good overview of his mythic style, but it's written for kids so it's a quick read.

My first 5 were:
American Gods - 5 star
Neverwhere - 4 star
The Graveyard Book - 4 star
Anansi Boys - 4 star
Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders - 4 star

I did not have a problem starting with American Gods, and I absolutely loved it. In fact, when I was done, I wanted to turn right back around and restart it to read it through a second time knowing how all of the pieces fit together. (I didn't, but I really wanted to.)

Anyway, Stardust was my 6th of his, and I didn't love it nearly as much as everyone else seems to. That one and The Ocean at the End of the Lane are probably my least favorites. (But even my "least favorites" get a 3 star rating so take that with a grain of salt.)

I’m the same about American Gods, Becky. It was so fascinating I wanted to read it all over again.

I also agree about Ocean at the end of the Lane, that one was pretty meh for me.

Since we seem to have the same taste in Neil Gaiman, I’ll go by your favorites for the next books to read of his :)

If you like graphic novels, his Sandman series is also excellent.

It depends on what you like to read otherwise, too. For example, only start with Am. Gods if you have a stronger stomach than I do and like big meaty books. I had to give up on it.

The first Gaiman that I read was Anansi Boys and yet all I remember is that it made me want to jump on the fan-wagon. Since then I've been more disappointed than not. But each book is different (in content, vibe, accessibility, and more) so I keep trying. (And I do have An. Boys on my to-read soon list.)

The Graveyard Book is worth the accolades, is (of course, being a fable for children & all ages) accessible, and has elements in common with with his general oeuvre. If you have Coraline you might want to read that first or second, too.

Start with his work for DC: BLACK ORCHID, then SANDMAN. (Available in collected editions)

ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY read SANDMAN.

And then, after reading SANDMAN. I would read GOOD OMENS and AMERICAN GODS, as both are somewhat thematically similiar to SANDMAN, dealing with the myths and religions and the world(s) beyond our world.

Then I would read CORALINE. (And watch the movie.)

If you like audiobooks, he (frequently? idk) reads his own and has a lovely voice. The only one of his I’ve read is Neverwhere and it’s great on audio.

lol I just realized you said you’re dealing with physical books. 😂

What are the other 3?

Don't even attempt to judge Neil Gaiman based on Lucifer. I like the TV show, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the comics.

That said, I can highly recommend his comic series, Sandman. It has a great and unusual story, and he follows a bit in Alan Moore's footsteps in the way he tends to incorporate minor characters from the DC universe. Lucifer is a spin-off of Sandman (written by Mike Carey).

I started reading The Sandman, Vol. 01: Preludes & Nocturnes yesterday. The story is interesting and I'm enjoying it even if I don't care about the horror elements. I tried reading American Gods but set it aside, perhaps I'll give it a second chance.

I recommend American gods and good omens. I didn't like anansi boys much. But there isn't really a place where you should or must start. I just picked up whichever and since then been working my way through his works. Short stories are of course also good to just get the general feel of his writing.

So very late with reacting but thank you all for the recommendations! I got whisked away on holiday and promptly forgot I had a phone.

The books I currently have are:
- American Gods
- Anansi Boys
- Coraline (which I didn't know was a book so already saw the movie)
- Fortunately, the Milk
- Graveyard Book

I want to read Sandman but even though it cheaper to get it for my tablet I want the physical version. And they are so expensive!

But based on your comments and my reading taste I think I will start withith American Gods and then Anansi Boys right after. Even though it lightly pains me because Sandman sounds so good.

Thanks again!