mass market paperback, 400 pages
English language
Published Oct. 29, 2006 by Harper Torch.
God is dead. Meet the kids.
When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts" his father bestowed — before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.
Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun ... just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.
Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able …
God is dead. Meet the kids.
When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of the many embarrassing "gifts" his father bestowed — before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.
Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Things like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun ... just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.
Because, you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil. Some said he could cheat even Death himself.
Returning to the territory he so brilliantly explored in his masterful New York Times bestseller, American Gods, the incomparable Neil Gaiman offers up a work of dazzling ingenuity, a kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth that is at once startling, terrifying, exhilarating, and fiercely funny — a true wonder of a novel that confirms Stephen King's glowing assessment of the author as "a treasure-house of story, and we are lucky to have him."
Another great read from Neil Gaiman. I did find that I wished he had expanded more on on parts of the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed it throughout.
Not as good as American Gods but very similar and still a great book.
This book took a long time to finish because the "hook" wasn't there until more than a quarter of the way in.
I felt this was a tamer version of Gaiman's "American Gods" but still very good standing on it's own. It occupies the same literary world where gods exist because of belief. In some ways I think the characters are a bit better than "American Gods", but still a little flat. There are multiple plot threads that inexorably come together at the end in ultimately a satisfying manner.
Again, Gaiman has a very Douglas Adams type flair in his humor (though that maybe just "British" humor), but it was fun all the same. I found the editing/intertwining of the plot threads too choppy and hard to develop a rhythm, but that may be entirely intentional.
Overall, if you enjoy Gaiman, you're sure to enjoy this. However, I definitely recommend …
This book took a long time to finish because the "hook" wasn't there until more than a quarter of the way in.
I felt this was a tamer version of Gaiman's "American Gods" but still very good standing on it's own. It occupies the same literary world where gods exist because of belief. In some ways I think the characters are a bit better than "American Gods", but still a little flat. There are multiple plot threads that inexorably come together at the end in ultimately a satisfying manner.
Again, Gaiman has a very Douglas Adams type flair in his humor (though that maybe just "British" humor), but it was fun all the same. I found the editing/intertwining of the plot threads too choppy and hard to develop a rhythm, but that may be entirely intentional.
Overall, if you enjoy Gaiman, you're sure to enjoy this. However, I definitely recommend working your way through "American Gods" before tackling this one.
Very satisfying book. It has a lighter tone than American Gods and reminds me of summer breezes. It really does.
I loved this book, but must warn you to be careful with it. It messes with reality so effectively that it gave me nightmares twice, and made me miss my bus stop when I was nearing the end of the story.
It is time to admit I am not going to finish this book. It sat next to my bed with the spine cracked open to chapter two for I don't know how many months without my even touching it. The reason why is very simple: I cannot stand the protagonist, Fat Charlie. He is an utter drip. He's winging, and useless, and sort of ill-willed about it.
I got far enough in to meet the second major character, Spider, who is incredibly obnoxious , at which point I put the book down for however many months it's been.
Well, I give up. You have defeated me, book. I'm sorry, I thought I would like you. You seemed promising. But I have to care about someone in the book to keep reading, and I don't.
My first Gaiman book, quite enjoyable. I read it in one stretch, which is generally a good sign. If you are into myths and folklore, you will probably find some interesting stories in this book. It was refreshing to read a book whose 'hero' was a down on his luck, normal kind of guy.
