Neverwhere: A Novel by Neil Gaiman

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The #1 New York Times bestselling author’s ultimate edition of his wildly successful first novel featuring his “preferred text”—and including his special Neverwhere tale, “How the Marquis Got His Coat Back”

Published in 1997, Neverwhere heralded the arrival of a major talent and became a touchstone of urban fantasy. Over the years, a number of versions were produced both in the U.S. and the U.K. Now Gaiman’s preferred edition of his classic novel reconciles these works and reinstates a number of scenes cut from the original published books.

Richard Mayhew is a young London businessman with a good heart whose life is changed forever when he stops to help a bleeding girl—an act of kindness that plunges him into a world he never dreamed existed. Slipping through the cracks of reality, Richard lands in Neverwhere—a London of shadows and darkness, monsters and saints, murderers and angels that exists entirely in a subterranean labyrinth. Neverwhere is home to Door, the mysterious girl Richard helped in the London Above. Here in Neverwhere, Door is a powerful noblewoman who has vowed to find the evil agent of her family’s slaughter and thwart the destruction of this strange underworld kingdom. If Richard is ever to return to his former life and home, he must join Lady Door’s quest to save her world—and may well die trying.

my thoughts:

I finally understand why everyone is always raving about Neil Gaiman - his stories are just magical.  Or at least, Neverwhere was. Yep, I finally read one of his fiction books and found myself completely smitten with his writing, creativity, and talent for storytelling. Talk about falling in love with a new author - I am hooked!

Neverwhere is about an "everyman" named Richard Mayhew who finds himself in London Below after helping an injured woman named Door.  He finds himself in a new reality that is far different than London Above, where his job, apartment, and girlfriend Jessica reside.  Apparently, by helping Door so much, he's no longer able to be seen by the people of London Above.  So, he sets out to find Door in this new, mysterious place and figure out a way to get back home.  Of course, nothing is at it seems in this dark and mythical land; and Richard quickly realizes that getting home is not going to be an easy feat.  As adventures abound, he finds himself caught up in Door's mission to find out who killed her family.  Monsters are fought, allies are made, and so much more happens in this fantastical gem filled with quirky, oddball characters.  It was so much fun to read.  I absolutely loved this book! It almost felt like a fairy tale with its whimsical overtones, but then its shadowy, wicked side would emerge and add a sinister tinge to things; thereby shifting the story from fairy tale to fantasy.  I found that I didn't want the story to end.  I wanted more!

I would happily recommend this book to anyone looking for a sharp, engaging, and entertaining read - you will not be disappointed!  I know that I can't wait to read more of Gaiman's unputdownable books.

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Neverwhere

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!