A long, long time ago in a city far, far away (New York City…well, Bronxville to be precise) something truly life-changing happened*. It was 1996 and I was on my second solo trip to New York City to visit my friend Scott, a trip full of adventure. It was the first and sadly only time I kept a really detailed journal of a trip. One of the many things that happened during that trip was that I was introduced to Neil Gaiman’s comic book series, The Sandman. I had not read comics since I was a kid and had no idea that there was a world of comic books for grown ups. Wow.
If you have seen the beautiful French film Amelie** (and if you have not, you really should) then you no doubt recall the scene in which the Audrey Tautou, in the title role, wisks a blind man rapidly down the street, matching her pace with a torrent of words in an attempt to paint a picture for the gentleman of the life taking place around him. As she leaves him outside the train station he gazes heavenward with a look of euphoria, flashes of light and color radiate from his very being. That is how I felt as I read through the Sandman series (the final issue, #75, had just been released). I had a similar experience a year later in another city far away (Tulsa, Oklahoma) when I walked into a Borders bookstore and saw the cover pictured above facing me from the New Releases shelf. More accurately, I had that feeling upon coming home and devouring the novel.
I imagine that we each have a book (or two, or three) that has opened up worlds to us. A book that feels as if it were written solely for you because it reads as if it was drawn directly out of your imagination, your passions, your dreams. Neverwhere was…is…that kind of book for me. One of my frequent childhood fantasies was to fall through a crack into the world below to experience adventures akin to those had by Richard Mayhew, the Lady Door, the Marquis de Carabas and the rest of the menagerie in Neverwhere. I fell for this story and fell hard. I know I read it several times in a row and have read it many more times over the ensuing years. When asked I quickly declare that Dracula by Bram Stoker is my all-time favorite novel, and that Neverwhere is second.
So is it really that spectacular of a novel?
The objective answer is “no”.
Now wait Gaiman fans, put down the pitchforks and torches!!! I just said two sentences ago that it is my second favorite novel of all the novels I have ever read and I stand by my convictions. That being said, I also know for a fact that it is far from being Neil Gaiman’s best novel, let alone a better novel than others that are beloved to me. But is it my novel. It touched me on a deep and profound level. It awakened in me a passion for a particular kind of story that had laid dormant for a time. It connected me in a powerful way to my childhood. It came along at a particular moment in my life where everything was ripe for a work of fiction to have a profound effect on me. It is the first book I remember reading as an adult that embraced me in the way books embraced me when I was a kid. It is a special novel. And I want to read it (in my case re-read it) with you.
I know the risks inherent in reading a cherished book like this one with others, particularly when I am well aware of the limitations of the story. But I am willing to take that risk because some of you just might find something special here and also because it has been a long time since I’ve sat down and re-read the novel and the pull is simply too strong to resist.
So do you want to read it with me? With us? I will tell you right now that I fully expect you to share your honest opinions on the story and where they differ from mine I will refrain from a) weeping like a small child and b) browbeating you for differences of opinion. I just so desperately want to have a book club experience with this book and I do hope you will come along for the journey. I consider Neil Gaiman to be a true wordsmith and there is a magic here in this early work of fiction that speaks of the writer he was to become.
The plan is to take this at a semi-leisurely pace. The hardback copy of the book is 336 pages. The schedule will be as follows:
Read the Prologue through Chapter 5, May 13th-20th. Discussions for this section posted Monday, May 21st.
Read Chapter 6 through Chapter 6 through Chapter 12, May 20th-May 27th. Discussions for this section posted Monday, May 28th.
Read Chapter 13 through the end (Chapter 20), May 27th-June 3rd. Discussions for this section posted Monday, June 4th.
I will email questions out early in the week for each section so that you have time to get your Monday posts ready.
Three weeks may be a bit long for a book this size but I want you to be able to participate while partaking of whatever reading whims are upon you at that time. For those of you currently participating in the Mistborn: Final Empire Group Read, I would like to take this moment to announce that I would like to group read books 2 and 3 of the trilogy beginning the last week of May/first week of June. That way you can participate in the Neverwhere read if you were so planning without trying to squeeze Sanderson in at the same time.
So that’s it. Tempted? I do hope you’ll come join in. Even if you have already read the book it would be wonderful to have you in on the discussion. If you would like to take part, please sign up below.
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* “life-changing” sounds like hyperbole but in the case of this trip it really wasn’t. I made some very personal decisions concerning crucial events in my life at the time. In addition to that this introduction to Neil Gaiman, and to comics as well, was to change the course of the next 16 years of my life (and counting) as far as the kind of stuff I read, watch, etc. New worlds (beyond my beloved science fiction) really have opened up to me.
** I was introduced to Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s work on this trip as well through his quirky black comedy romance film, Delicatessen. I hadn’t ever considered foreign film before that moment. I was hooked. And I soon got my wife hooked on my return home.
I’ll place it slightly better than you! 😉 Neverwhere *is* my favourite book. So of course I’m going to take the opportunity to re-read it! 🙂
That makes me laugh Darren because I remember that I used to make the distinction between classic and contemporary so that I could give Neverwhere top spot. But nothing can top the time I read Dracula for the first time at age 11 or 12. I think the very nature of it being so different than what I usually read, being a “classic”, and it being such an experience that I have strong visual memories of it even to this day makes it hard to beat.
So glad you’ll be re-reading this with me. 🙂
Although my favorite “classic” is probably Jane Eyre (and to me Orson Welles will always be the perfect Mr. Rochester), Dracula comes in a close second. Just wondering if you have read The Historian. I recommend it highly. I live alone, and as I would read it at night with just my bedside light on, I kept wanting to look over my shoulder or peer into the shadows intently. The writing creates that kind of atmosphere. Wonderful contemporary with a link to the classic.
Uh oh, if Deslily sees this comment she is going to really chastise me. She has been encouraging me to read The Historian for years.
I am coming a bit closer, I actually bought a hardback copy a few weeks back when BN got a shipment of remaindered books in. I had been looking for one in good shape and now I have it. Hopefully it will top my list come RIP time this fall.
Yikes, Jane Eyre! Although I like the writing, I can’t get past Mr Rochester’s attempted bigamy and the mad wife in the attic: call me a prude! 😀
I haven’t read Jane Eyre, but I loved the most recent film adaptation. And Jasper Fforde’s take on the novel in his novel The Eyre Affair is great.
I love Neverwhere so much! My story about discovering the book isn’t as dramatic as yours, but I certainly had a similar experience with it. I never knew urban fantasy could be this good! this eye opening! this wonderful!
is it Gaiman’s best work? no. Will it always have a very special place in my heart? YES.
Me too Redhead. Looking forward to talking about it with you next month.
I am in. I have been wanting to read another Gaiman book and was thinking of American Gods but Neverwhere is good for me as well. Also, glad that you want to continue on with Mistborn and are not going to attempt this group read with the Mistborn books, whew! I can do both. 🙂
You probably did mention it before, but I now fully realize how much you liked Dracula. I am glad you did but I still do not care for that much.
I will try to aim for putting up weekly posts with my thoughts, but I am not promising.
Wonderful! I do so hope you enjoy the book.
Yes, I’m enjoying reading Mistborn with all of you and imagine I won’t be the only one who wants to keep reading the trilogy, but at the same time I was committed to this and so anxious to re-read it. I wouldn’t enjoy trying to cram them both into the same reading time, so I hope this works out for the rest of the Mistborn reading gang.
I just read this for the first time this year. I listened to Neil Himself read it and loved the book! I might comment on the posts. hope you enjoy the reread!
Great, I hope you will comment when the posts come up Melanie. I have the audio version too, love hearing Neil read his own books. It is a wonderful story, isn’t it?
I’ve just finished it. 🙂
I want to get started on Gaiman’s other novels, I love how he writes. So, I might not take part in the read along, but I’ll definitely be here for the discussions. Looking forward to it!
Please do join us for your comments, Tanya. If you have more Gaiman novels to read then you have some real treats ahead of you.
I really liked reading about your experience when you first discovered Gaiman. I learned of him too through the Sandman comics, though I have not been as thorough reading all of them like I should 🙁 But I’m on board for Neverwhere and looking forward to it!
Thanks Sarah, it was fun to go back and reminisce about that trip. It was a very special one. Super to have you joining us for Neverwhere.
I’ve read Neil Gaiman in anthologies but never an entire book of his so am looking forward to reading Neverwhere and joining in the discussions.
Great Charlotte, glad you are in for this one. I think we’ll have fun discussing it.
Count me in! Perfect timing, too, because this one starts right after my finals end! =D
What a great way to celebrate finals ending!!! 🙂
I just finished Mistborn and I totally loved it. If not for this blog, I would have never discovered it. And now I am reading Gaiman’s Smoke and Mirrors and I am so captivated by his brilliant style and storytelling, I will certainly read Neverwhere and his other books. Unfortunately, I’ve already dropped a few balls, so I need to buckle down and do what needs to be done first, which means I can’t participate in the readalong, although I really really wish to. But I’ll try to follow discussions.
Wow, I’m glad to hear it Natalie. We are planning to group read the other two novels in this first trilogy later on, probably beginning the end of May.
Smoke and Mirrors is a wonderful short story collection. Some of the best short stories I have ever read, period, are in there.
I’m absolutely in. Looking forward to. I’ve only read this once, so it’ll be great to reread it.
Cool, Fence. Will be great to re-read it with you. I was trying to remember the last time I read this and I just can’t. I’m not sure if I’ve read the book since I started blogging and that has been 7 years. At any rate, can’t wait to go on an adventure with these beloved characters again.
Howdy Carl. I think my library has a copy…let me check before I commit, but you know I will do my best.
I fully expect you to participate in this one TBM, so if the library doesn’t have a copy I’ll send you one if I have to! You are one of the people who I thought of when deciding to do this challenge.
LOL…no pressure. I’m pretty sure I can track down a copy. Once I have it in my hands I’ll confirm officially.
He is one of Britain’s native sons, they better have a copy there. LOL!
I hope so! So far I’m not too impressed by my local library here. Of course I can request books from the British library, however, they charge more than the price of the books, which doesn’t suit my purposes. I can see how this would be beneficial for students since research books cost way more than fiction.
Saying this, I’m pretty sure I can track down a copy in a bookstore if the library copy is gone. Dang, time to go to used bookstores…such a difficult task for me 😉
It was Sandman that turned me on to Gaiman, too. The depth of the story was unlike anything I’d ever experienced in comic form.
I’ve had this on my TBR for far too long, so I’ll be joining in, too! Should be fun.
Great, Logan. Will be great to have your insights. 🙂
I know just what you mean about Sandman. I didn’t even realize that this kind of comic existed and the depth of story was something that not even some novels had. It blew me away. And got me into the comic shops. I immediately went home and started buying comics. Haven’t stopped since.
It’s a fascinating (and important) distinction between “best” book and “favorite” book. The ones that touch us, become parts of our mental landscapes, become those ones we return to again and again…are not necessarily objectively wonderful books. But what does it matter if they somehow fit perfectly into our brains and our hearts? I’m sure I have plenty of favorite, beloved books that are not objectively an author’s best–though I like to think I have decent enough taste that they’ll at least be good! 🙂
I read Neverwhere once a few years ago, and am sorry to say I was not a big fan. Then I read it again with a book club a few months ago and liked it much more on a second read. I don’t think my brain is ready to go through it a third time, quite so soon, but I look forward to reading about everyone else’s experiences!
It is an interesting discussion. I go back and forth about whether American Gods or The Graveyard Book is Neil’s “best”. I lean towards The Graveyard Book possibly because I think it is the more accessible of the two.
No need to apologize. I know Neverwhere is not everyone’s cup of tea nor does everyone see the brilliance in it that I do. Again, it spoke to me and that is the kind of personal experience we each have with certain books and it is less replicated with others as is the experience of a bunch of people “enjoying” a book.
I hope you’ll pop in and leave some comments as we go through this.
I read this book years ago and it is time for a reread. I love Gaiman’s work.
Also – excited to hear you’re going to continue on with Mistborn and look forward to the group reads!
Yes, there is no way any of us are probably going to be able to leave Mistborn alone, so I figured I might as well lob it out there right now about future group reads.
Ah, I’ve been wanting to read another Gaiman novel ever since I finished American Gods (which didn’t captivate me as much as I thought it would) and this one seems like a good pick. I love the emotional part where you described how you came to be acquainted with Neverwhere – it’s something I always like to read. I’ll keep this book in mind for my next trip to the bookstore.
I’ve nominated you for the “7X7 Link Award” which is a fun meme I thought you might like. More details on my blog.
American Gods is an interesting one. It is a book that I really like but would like much more if some of the more adult content was excised out and there were fewer asides. I understand the purpose of showing the reader the various gods, but I could’ve done with less of that. However Shadow’s story is top notch to me. Love it. I hope you can snag a copy from the store or library and join us in the group read.
I’ll check out the 7X7 link, thanks!
I had a similar experience with Neverwhere! It was my first Gaiman and it remains my favorite. I would love to have the chance to reread it.
Cool Jenny! Kindred spirits! It will be fun to re-read it with you and have you share your thoughts.
How can I turn down an invitation to read Neverwhere with you when it’s your favorite novel? There’s no way. Of course I’m in. What you feel for Neverwhere is probably what I feel for American Gods (which I’m rereading right now for the third? fourth? time. I can’t wait to start reading Neverwhere.
I’m so glad that you can’t resist, Vasilly!!! 🙂
I can certainly understand that feeling for American Gods. Shadow is one of my favorite characters in fiction.
Well Neverwhere is my favorite book. So much so that I bought the authors preferred text for (ahem) a lot of money – probably the last time I’ll be so extravagant on a book. The binding and extra material is a treat.
The time is perfect for a re-read… London (redacted) awaits.
I have that same (ahem) expensive one too Ian. There was no way I could resist.
Always happy to find others who love this book as much as I do.
My only exposure to Gaiman has been through his work in children’s literature … in fact, one of the most popular ‘read-alouds’ that I ever did for my 6th grade class was of Gaiman’s ‘Coraline’ … when The Graveyard Book was released it became a hot potato with the kids. I’ll be excited to try Neverwhere !
Coraline and The Graveyard Book are fantastic! I think The Graveyard Book is Gaiman’s best written work to date and it is only my deep devotion to Neverwhere that keeps TGB from being my favorite Gaiman.
Okay, I’m in. I’ve never done a read along before, so I’m a little apprehensive, but I love Neil Gaiman and I’ve never read Neverwhere, so I just couldn’t resist.
Yea!!! Nothing to be worried about, you’ll find it very fun I believe. You are in for a treat with Neverwhere.
Well, if it is anything like as good as Mistborn, we are all in for a real treat. I just feel bad for never reading these wonderful writers before: what have I been doing???? 😀
I’m not sure I could even compare the two because they are such different types of “fantasy”. It isn’t as richly deep as the Mistborn trilogy is going to be, but it isn’t meant to be that kind of book either. But is is a wonderful story and I do hope you enjoy it.
I’ve been trying to get a late blog post together so that I can sign up for the Once Upon a Time Challenge – maybe this weekend finally! but in the meantime I really want to join the Neverwhere read. My introduction to it was the original showing on BBC (loved it) and I read it afterwards, but now I’m going to read the Gaiman-preferred version and re-watch the series. When I travel on the right line on the Underground I like to look out for disused stations…
No worries about being late, there is still a lot of challenge left to go. Glad that you are joining us for Neverwhere, it will be a lot of fun. I love the BBC special too, even with its low production values.
I’m in! I’ve had Neverwhere on my to read list for a couple of years now, so I was especially happy to see that you chose it for one of your read alongs during the Once Upon a Time challenge.
I enjoyed reading about your history with this book. It’s a very nice introduction to the read along. I, too, am a huge fan of Amélie! My husband and I watched it on Netflix a year or two ago kind of on a whim and it instantly became a favorite. 🙂
Terrific, thanks for coming along with us! Isn’t Amelie delightful? Oh I do so love that film. “Bliss” is the word that comes to mind when I think of it.
We were lucky to visit Paris last summer and were quite tickled every time we passed photo booths in the metro and especially in Gare du Nord! Ha!
Bronxville! I’m from neighboring Eastchester!
Its a cool area. My close friend lived there for a few years before he moved into Manhattan. I stayed with him three different times there, I believe, before he moved. We had such a good time.
I’d love to be in on this. I read the book last year but never reviewed it on my blog, so it would be perfect to do the readalong. Looking forward to it!
Terrific, Michelle. I’m glad. I am too, I’m glad it is coming up for us soon.
I requested the book from my library and I’m pretty sure I’ll get it in time. If not, we both know I’ll track down a copy of some sort to join. So throw my name in the hat Carl…I’m in!
Awesome!!!
I read Neverwhere a few years ago, and have watched the BBC series twice. It is time to get reacquainted with it.
Great, Morag, glad you’ll be doing so along with us.
I was planning to reread American Gods this year, but I cannot resist Neverwhere, especially not when Amélie is mentioned in the same post *hearts* Actually, I’m not sure I can manage the whole readalong (although I’ll definitely try, and the book is not so long…), but I’ll be sure to come back and read all of your comments.
Also, because I’m back to your blog after a very long time, let me thank you for the new (probably not very new, but I only discovered it recently), lighter theme: it is much easier for me to read, and so I’m happily following your blog again 🙂
I feel like sighing every time I think of Amelie. What a dear she is. I think I’m going to take that movie along with us on our anniversary trip this week.
Glad to see you stopping back by, especially since you are going to hopefully be checking in and adding your thoughts as you can. I’m glad you like the theme better. It seems to work well for everyone and I hate to be the cause of anyone having problems reading it. Great to see you back! 🙂
I have had this book on the TBR pile for quite some time now. I figured that this would be great opportunity to read it..:)) I hoping to get read Good Omens this year as well.
Thanks for joining in GD! I hope you enjoy the book. Good Omens is such great fun, I hope you do get to that one this year as well. It is a clever and fun ride.
This sounds fun. I’ve enjoyed other Gaiman books–The Graveyard Book and Stardust–but had not heard of this one.
I hope you enjoy it Deb, it is a special book.
I have a little problem reading this book for the read along, Carl.. I started it over the weekend AND I CAN’T STOP! I have no self control so will probably finish it by tomorrow. I’ll still participate in the discussions and will be diligent about staying within the chapters under discussion to avoid spoilers for others. Obviously I really like it. 😀
Am I too late to join in? I read American Gods recently and didn’t love it as much as I hoped I would but I really want to read (and enjoy) Neverwhere and ‘group therapy’ might help!
Not at all, please join us. We just started Sunday! Hope this is a better experience for you.
Yay! It does sound more my cup of tea, and i’ll soon be caught up. Looking forward to reading this with you all.
I feel like a heretic because I love Sandman much more than Gaiman’s books. 🙂 My work load has become lighter so I can participate in the read along after all.
Just checking in to make sure I hadn’t missed the discussion question in my in box!