SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

There are quite a lot of references to both myth, legend and even urban legends in Neverwhere. Which is something I personally love about Gaiman's work.

I'd say that for myths we have, among others, the Great Beast of London which has definite ties to the Minotaur, what with the labyrinth and all.
In the realm of legend I'd include the references to Atlantis, and for urban legends we have the alligators in the NY sewers.

What have you found - and do you have any favorites?

I'm sure there are a lot of mythological, historical and literary allusions in the book, I just didn't want to slow down my reading by trying to figure them all out. I think that was my problem with "American Gods." I was trying so hard to figure out who the different gods were that I missed half the story and I didn't enjoy it. (I may have to try reading that one again.)

I particularly enjoyed the Atlantian references. I think Gaiman used to very well to make Islington appear to be a beneficent being who was unjustly imprisoned. All the way until the end, I kept asking myself what happened that he wasn't able to save Atlantis, and then we find out "Oh wait, HE happened to Atlantis!" It was a wonderful twist that I had not been expecting, and I think Gaiman set it up well.

Also, I know it's not a Legend or a myth, but there is a blatant reference to The Wizard of Oz:

Richard: We've got to get the thing I've got to the Angel. Then he'll tell Door about her family and he'll tell me how to get home.
Lamia: And he'll give you a brain and me a heart.

Agree with Sandi, I think there were lots and lots, but I just got lost in the story, instead of in the dissecting, or cataloging.