Neverwhere

by Neil Gaiman
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Publish Date: October 31, 1998
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Overview

Richard Mayhew is a plain man with a good heart -- and an ordinary life that is changed forever on a day he stops to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk. From that moment forward he is propelled into a world he never dreamed existed -- a dark subculture flourish in abandoned subway stations and sewer tunnels below the city -- a world far stranger and more dangerous than the only one he has ever known...Richard Mayhew is a young businessman with a good heart and a dull job. When he stops one day to help a girl he finds bleeding on a London sidewalk, his life is forever altered, for he finds himself propelled into an alternate reality that exists in a subterranean labyrinth of sewer canals and abandoned subway stations below the city. He has fallen through the cracks of reality and has landed somewhere different, somewhere that is Neverwhere.

Author Information

Neil Gaiman

Bestselling author Neil Gaiman has long been one of the top writers in modern comics, and has also penned many books for readers of all ages, including American Gods, Anansi Boys, Coraline, and M Is for Magic. He is listed in the Dictionary of Literary Biography as one of the top ten living post-modern writers, and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama. He has written multiple New York Times bestselling books, and is a Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, SFX, and Locus Award winner. He has also worked in support of First Amendment rights, and was awarded the Defender of Liberty Award in August 1997 by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund for his efforts. Born and raised in England, Neil now lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has somehow reached his forties and tends to always need a haircut.

Editorial Reviews

Starred Review. Gaiman assumes the role of narrator for his latest book, offering an intimate reading that steals one's attention almost immediately and keeps the listener involved throughout. As the story is based in the United Kingdom, Gaiman is a quintessential raconteur for the tale, with his charming Scottish brogue instilling life and spirit into the central character of Richard Mayhew. Pitch perfect, with clear pronunciation, Gaiman invites listeners into his living room for a fireside chat, offering a private and personal experience that transcends the limitations of traditional narration. The author knows his story through and through, capturing the desired emotion and audience reaction in each and every scene. His characters are unique, with diverse personalities and narrative approaches, and Gaiman offers a variety of dialects and tones. The reading sounds more like a private conversation among friends with Gaiman providing the convincing and likable performance the writing deserves. A Harper Perennial paperback (Reviews, May 19, 1997). (Nov.)
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Customer Reviews

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Showing 1-10 of the 16 most recent reviews

1.Review from
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Posted April 29, 2011 by , Saint Johns, FL
2.Fun Read

Posted December 14, 2009 by Fun Read, Chicago

Review:
Neil Gaiman's dark humor shines through in this novel. It is difficult to put this novel down as one cannot wait for the next twist in plot.

Rating: 9
3.Great read!

Posted October 21, 2009 by Delphine, London

A well-written, witty, wonderful fantasy that all those who have been to London will love
4.Great setting but simple story

Posted August 20, 2009 by Stag, Montreal

I think what most people like in Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere is the "London Below" setting. The book will take you dark places filled with weird characters, strangeness, magic and danger. I too really enjoyed reading about London Below but there is more to novel than its setting.

The plot is not the strong point of this book. I found the story to be too simple. I was waiting for something bigger to happen, for the characters to be involved in some great plot but it failed short of my expectations. Although the characters will visit many places in London Below, nothing in terms of story hold my attention at the exception of a couple of really good chapters near the end.

All in all, I found Neverwhere to be an interesting read but I was disappointed by the simple plot. I still think it's worth reading, just don't expect too much in terms of story and enjoy being taken into this dark and weird world.
5.Interesting

Posted January 28, 2009 by kerowynsmom, VA

Lively characters, but a bit predictable. Worth reading, though.
6.Excellent Story.

Posted January 19, 2009 by Robert, Columbus, GA

Great read. Couldn't put the book down until I was done.
7.Excellent Storytelling

Posted December 13, 2008 by Farseeker, Anywhere

Neil Gaiman comes through with an excellent, well told story. Elements of magic, history, and folklore are woven together in an engaging tale about the world of the people that have fallen through the cracks in our world.
A very easy read and a real page turner. Could not put it down until I made it to the end -- and then I was tempted to pick it back up and start the journey all over again.
8.Review from
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Posted March 24, 2008 by , Toronto, Canada
9.Review from
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Posted March 11, 2008 by , Essex Junction, VT
10.Review from
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Posted February 12, 2008 by , Marblehead, MA