crispymerola's review
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
The softest, daintiest little three star rating
I wanted to love this but struggled, though there are some real highlights and the general shape of the story is exciting. As a former passive boi bf I was cackling at the Richard and Jessica subplot, and sequences like the Marquis flowing through the sewer system and the night market were so much fun.
But I'm ultimately left pretty underwhelmed by Richard as a protag, the everyman whitey unlikely hero trope stopped being cute in the mid 2000s, you gotta give this schlub a LITTLE skill or something (juggling?) or else everything he achieves in the story feels completely unearned.
I also found that the world of London Below, despite being a fun analogy for homelessness, was underexplored and vague. I wanted more rules, more understanding of the conflict which frames our story.
And yet, and yet, Neil is a fun guy. He's a cutie. His concise prose, like little berries dipped in gothic dark chocolate - I pop them into my mouth and go mmm
I wanted to love this but struggled, though there are some real highlights and the general shape of the story is exciting. As a former passive boi bf I was cackling at the Richard and Jessica subplot, and sequences like the Marquis flowing through the sewer system and the night market were so much fun.
But I'm ultimately left pretty underwhelmed by Richard as a protag, the everyman whitey unlikely hero trope stopped being cute in the mid 2000s, you gotta give this schlub a LITTLE skill or something (juggling?) or else everything he achieves in the story feels completely unearned.
I also found that the world of London Below, despite being a fun analogy for homelessness, was underexplored and vague. I wanted more rules, more understanding of the conflict which frames our story.
And yet, and yet, Neil is a fun guy. He's a cutie. His concise prose, like little berries dipped in gothic dark chocolate - I pop them into my mouth and go mmm
glendaleereads's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first Gaiman novel, read the first two sandman and honestly didn't really like his writing style (GOSH I KNOW) but yea, a co-worker lent me this book and I was a bit skeptical but the concept interested me and I began to read this book and go figure was instantly hooked. I always love reading stories centered around London, but this book was underground London. I enjoyed the characters especially Richard, even though he was a bit of a push over but towards the end of the novel he gets his act together and grows some balls. I liked how him and Door didn't have any romantic feelings towards each other but the way she was described made it seem she was younger than Richard so that would have been weird.
My only complaint is that this book has some bits missing, it was about 370 pages and I think Gaiman could have developed it more and give us more of this underground place because I feel like we got so much of the characters but not much of the scenery which is important since this is an underground world that Londoners don't know exist. The ending was a bit abrupt as well, and at first I didn't even know if what Richard went through was real and I liked the aspect of it because it made the story a bit ambiguous and up for readers own interpretation.
Overall I enjoyed this book.
My only complaint is that this book has some bits missing, it was about 370 pages and I think Gaiman could have developed it more and give us more of this underground place because I feel like we got so much of the characters but not much of the scenery which is important since this is an underground world that Londoners don't know exist. The ending was a bit abrupt as well, and at first I didn't even know if what Richard went through was real and I liked the aspect of it because it made the story a bit ambiguous and up for readers own interpretation.
Overall I enjoyed this book.
joeb94's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Neil Gaiman's books rarely disappoint. They are fun and perfect for escapism. I loved all the chara ters but I wish Door was older cause her and Richard's chemistry are top notch. Let me tell I freaking fangirled hard over the dance scene 🤣🤣. Parts of the story like the flying market reminds me so much of stardust even Richard reminds me a bit of Tristan's father.
sohayla's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
cara_selene's review against another edition
4.0
I hadn't read anything from Neil Gaiman before, even though everyone had been telling me to give him a try. I tend to be pretty suspicious of anything or anyone that becomes too popular, so I disregarded the recommendations until I picked up Neverwhere on a whim. Out of all his novels, this one intrigued me the most and so I went into it with some mild curiosity.
Luckily I was not disappointed. I found it a light read, with just the right amount of darkness and humor thrown in (British humor, ftw!). The world of London Below reminded me of my own childhood imaginings of a sort of urban Wonderland existing all around us that is both fantastical and terrifying. Maybe that's why I liked it so much, or maybe it's his style, which is simple but not stupid (I hate books that actually require me to turn my brain off!) or patronizing.
If I had to nitpick, I would say the only problem was that some of the characters came across a little on the shallow side. I would have loved to know more about Door's inner workings, for example. But Richard was the surprising winner (I normally don't relate well to characters like him), being the only semblance of sanity in an otherwise insane world (or perhaps it's the other way around?). Normally characters are the driving force for me, but in this case it was the narrative that kept me going. I enjoyed it so much that the very day I finished Neverwhere, I went out to pick up a couple more Gaiman books to add to my collection.
Bottom line, in my opinion, is it's a must read for those who like anything a little different, a little dark, a little weird and a little humorous.
Luckily I was not disappointed. I found it a light read, with just the right amount of darkness and humor thrown in (British humor, ftw!). The world of London Below reminded me of my own childhood imaginings of a sort of urban Wonderland existing all around us that is both fantastical and terrifying. Maybe that's why I liked it so much, or maybe it's his style, which is simple but not stupid (I hate books that actually require me to turn my brain off!) or patronizing.
If I had to nitpick, I would say the only problem was that some of the characters came across a little on the shallow side. I would have loved to know more about Door's inner workings, for example. But Richard was the surprising winner (I normally don't relate well to characters like him), being the only semblance of sanity in an otherwise insane world (or perhaps it's the other way around?). Normally characters are the driving force for me, but in this case it was the narrative that kept me going. I enjoyed it so much that the very day I finished Neverwhere, I went out to pick up a couple more Gaiman books to add to my collection.
Bottom line, in my opinion, is it's a must read for those who like anything a little different, a little dark, a little weird and a little humorous.
asluchevsky's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-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