That was tonight? Richard paused for a moment. If ever, he decided, they made disorganization an Olympic sport, he could be disorganized for Britain.

After being introduced to [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg] through a downright lovely book, [b:The Ocean at the End of the Lane|15783514|The Ocean at the End of the Lane|Neil Gaiman|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1351914778s/15783514.jpg|21500681], I was curious to try another of Gaiman's stories. I am so, so glad I did. His books are just wonderful creations.

After starting this particular edition (the one my library had), I was intrigued enough to actually read that "junk at the beginning"—and I discovered the backstory to his first novel, originally published in 1997, and that this edition was considered by Gaiman to be the ultimate version featuring his preferred text.

Gaiman's approach to his idea for Neverwhere (which began its life as a BBC miniseries written by Gaiman) was to create a magical, [b:Alice in Wonderland|13023|Alice in Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, #1)|Lewis Carroll|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1391458382s/13023.jpg|2933712]-inspired novel for adult readers. That's how Gaiman's writing feels—like pure magic. I haven't enjoyed an author's ability to create a fully encompassing world of magic and wonder like this in a long time.

His mouth tasted like several animals had been using it as a restroom before liquefying into something vaguely green.

Along with magic, adventure, and wonder, both a fantastic sense of humor and light romanticism are painted into the layers that make up this book. And, oh, does this book have the layers. They are so heavenly and gossamer, that you can't wait for another to be peeled gently back to reveal more of the story. Delicate and hypnotic, the adventures unfold for our hero, Richard Mayhew (our Ordinary Man), in a timeless and fantastical fashion. You love him instantly. We have a [b:The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|236093|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1)|L. Frank Baum|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1398003737s/236093.jpg|1993810]-type of buddy/road trip for adults as we dive down the rabbit hole with Mayhew from London Above into the Neverwhere.

All I know, is that I must read his other books.

P.S. If I hadn't recently read [b:Foundation|29579|Foundation (Foundation, #1)|Isaac Asimov|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1417900846s/29579.jpg|1783981], I would've missed this (potential) reference here from a fantastic character, the Marquis:

"I have always felt," he said, "that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent, and empty threats the final sanctuary of the terminally inept."