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ashleykitkat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read this per a suggestion from one of my book club attendees. And I'm glad I did. Filled with British humor, a relatable everyday man named Richard finds himself in a fantastical world after helping a girl. Although not wanting to be there, he grows as a person with more confidence and his priorities change as he befriends unusual characters assisting them on a quest, ultimately questioning where he belongs. This book was more gruesome than expected but simultaneously cartoonish which reminds me of villains with slapstick humor like Horace and Jasper from 101 Dalmatians. The silliness and being on a journey reminded me of other media such as Neverending Story and The Labyrinth and like the author mentions in the introduction, of Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, and Chronicles of Narnia. I'm highly interested in checking out the BBC Neverwhere show which the author wrote around the same time as the novel, if I understand correctly. I often thought it would be neat seeing it as a visual medium as I read. I would definitely read more stories of characters from this university and appreciated the bonus short story about one at the end of this edition.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Animal death
galexy_brain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This felt like a pretty bog-standard hero's journey sort of book, though the action was great (I felt myself grimacing and cringing often). I wish Richard was a more compelling main character. The backdrop of a creepy London underworld was pretty cool. I've only been to London once so the references to city locations I'm familiar with were neat, though I'm sure it would have been cooler if I had been well-acquainted with the city. However, I found it hard to visualize London Below. I don't know if I missed something, but half the time it felt like they were walking through subway systems and sewers and marshes, and other times it was described as having buildings, almost reflecting London Above? idk maybe I'm inattentive. My only other qualm with this book is when Richard, who seems as if he is in his mid-twenties, wants to kiss Door, who is described by Richard as appearing to be a teenager. Then they never bring this up again??? The final inconsistency that didn't bother me but caught my attention was that the Sewer People are introduced as not speaking English in Neverwhere, but in the short story prologue from this edition ("How the Marquis Got his Coat Back" or whatever), he had a full-on conversation with them. Anyway, if you like gritty grimy creepy spooky hero stories this book may be for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
chronicacademia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
what_did_i_just_read's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gore, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
nbmki's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Gore, Blood, and Death of parent
hexe_19's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Child abuse
bel017's review against another edition
Riddel's illustrations are such a perfect fit for Gaiman's prose. I look forward to seeing their continued collaboration.
I'm always looking to fill the Pratchett shaped hole in my reading, but have avoided Gaiman, as I DNF'd Ocean at the end of the lane, which he has said is his favourite of his works, and he seemed way too dark for me (have you met Coraline?). To the darkness, I did glance over some of the scenes with ... Mr C and Mr V, the names escape me ... the scary version of Pratchett's Mr Tulip and Mr Pin (who were scary enough for me). I was quite distressed by the loss of Anaesthesia . Gaiman does go out of his way to be gross and morbid (so many descriptions of sewer content and dead bodies), but the deadpan, understated, humour is great.
Gaiman is a gifted storyteller, and I really enjoyed his writing even though I didn't like the dark/gross/awful/scary/violent parts. I like Riddel has a distinct style that suits Gaiman. If you buy a copy of Neverwhere, make sure it's this one.
I'm always looking to fill the Pratchett shaped hole in my reading, but have avoided Gaiman, as I DNF'd Ocean at the end of the lane, which he has said is his favourite of his works, and he seemed way too dark for me (have you met Coraline?). To the darkness, I did glance over some of the scenes with ... Mr C and Mr V, the names escape me ... the scary version of Pratchett's Mr Tulip and Mr Pin (who were scary enough for me). I was quite distressed by the
Gaiman is a gifted storyteller, and I really enjoyed his writing even though I didn't like the dark/gross/awful/scary/violent parts. I like Riddel has a distinct style that suits Gaiman. If you buy a copy of Neverwhere, make sure it's this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Excrement
Moderate: Child death, Torture, Blood, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Torture, Grief, Cannibalism, and Injury/Injury detail
julieyael's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I was once again taken into the story by Gaiman’s writting.
This book takes us to a wonderful universe, full of fun and interesting characters.
The reader only has to follow the story and let it evolve through the pages.
As often we find some gory scenes and details, but it makes sense and nothing is gratuitious.
I would have appreciated a slighty faster rythm, but the tension is nice. Also, even if I really enjoyed the book, I found that the overall story and plot could have been a bit deeper to make it perfect.
The best part of this novel is the world building and the little details, and of course the way the story is told.
So far, I’ve never been wrong picking a Gaiman’s book.
This book takes us to a wonderful universe, full of fun and interesting characters.
The reader only has to follow the story and let it evolve through the pages.
As often we find some gory scenes and details, but it makes sense and nothing is gratuitious.
I would have appreciated a slighty faster rythm, but the tension is nice. Also, even if I really enjoyed the book, I found that the overall story and plot could have been a bit deeper to make it perfect.
The best part of this novel is the world building and the little details, and of course the way the story is told.
So far, I’ve never been wrong picking a Gaiman’s book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
le_mur's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book I don’t think I would have ever picked up if I hadn’t gotten the illustrated version and listened to the audio book alongside it due to reviews recommending the audiobook. However tbh I think that was probably the best combination of formats I could have read this in and overal I really really enjoyed this
It was slightly more graphic and violent than what I usually read but it was a super interesting world and story and overall just a really enjoyable experience to read it.
Supposedly the second book in this series finally came out like yesterday or two days ago but I can’t find it so hopefully I’ll be able to find it at some find and read that too :)
It was slightly more graphic and violent than what I usually read but it was a super interesting world and story and overall just a really enjoyable experience to read it.
Supposedly the second book in this series finally came out like yesterday or two days ago but I can’t find it so hopefully I’ll be able to find it at some find and read that too :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, and Death of parent