About Neverwhere
• Paperback: 464 pages• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; Reprint edition (June 7, 2016) National Bestseller
Selected as one of NPR’S Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of All Time 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.
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About Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, Anansi Boys, The Graveyard Book, Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett), The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains; the Sandman series of graphic novels; and the story collections Smoke and Mirrors, Fragile Things, and Trigger Warning. He is the winner of numerous literary honors, including the Hugo, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy awards, and the Newbery and Carnegie Medals. Originally from England, he now lives in the United States. He is Professor in the Arts at Bard College. Find out more about Neil at his website, and follow him on Facebook, tumblr, Twitter, and his blog.My Review:
I read the American edition of Neverwhere many years ago, and it is the standard by which I judge all urban fantasies. This edition is a combination of the British version with its quirky humor and the American edition, and it is much longer. Even if you've already read Neverwhere, this edition is worth it just to read about one of the most intriguing characters in the book, the Marquis de Carabas. At the back of the book there's a short story entitled "How the Marquis Got His Coat Back." The action in the story takes place after we last see the Marquis in Neverwhere. Without sharing any spoilers, I can promise you that the circumstances of the story made my jaw drop, literally. I wasn't expecting it!
London Below is one of the most eerie settings I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Once a person becomes a part of that world, London Above becomes a thing of his or her past: That person becomes invisible. The whole premise of "falling through the cracks" is frightening. In addition there are two of the most insidious and down-rite evil villains in the duo of Mr. Croup and Mr. Valdemar. They give me the willies! Even the characters with better intentions are creepy as Richard Mayhew attempts to navigate London Below in his quest to aid the Princess Door.
If you enjoy urban fantasy, you really should read Neverwhere, and I recommend you read the Author's Preferred Text. Once you're finished, watch the BBC miniseries. I love it! Here is the Introduction of the Marquis from the miniseries. Notice his amazing coat!
Got to *love* Richard Mayhew's Scottish burr
Residents of London Below meet for floating markets. "How the Marquis Got His Coat Back" begins at one of these markets being held at the Tate Gallery, and the Marquis is purchasing mushroom toast below this painting:
Sir Edward Coley Burne-JonesTitle
"The Golden Stairs"
1880
Oil paint on canvas
Of course I must love a story set partially in the Tate!
Disclosure: I received a copy of Neverwhere: Author's Preferred Text from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Until next time...
Happy reading!
Ricki Jill
I feel like Gaiman ruins me for other good, but not great, authors. HA! I'll definitely check out this preferred text version, and then the BBC miniseries!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being on this tour!