Neverwhere

by Neil Gaiman

English language

Published May 25, 2005

ISBN:: 978-0-7553-2280-0

(13 reviews)

Neverwhere is the companion novelisation written by English author Neil Gaiman of the television serial Neverwhere, written by Gaiman and devised by Lenny Henry. The plot and characters are exactly the same as in the series, with the exception that the novel form allowed Gaiman to expand and elaborate on certain elements of the story and restore changes made in the televised version from his original plans. Most notable is the appearance of the Floating Market at Harrods (in the novel) rather than under Battersea power station (the TV series). This is because the management of Harrods changed their minds about proposed filming. The novel was originally released by BBC Books in 1996, three episodes into the television series run. It was accompanied by a spoken word CD and cassette release, also by the BBC. The novel enjoyed great success, whereas its television roots did not receive as much international exposure as the novel. In addition to being translated into various languages, it was also re-published as an "Author's Preferred Text" version, (a combination of the international and original English version, with additional scenes re-inserted by Gaiman) alongside American Gods in 2006. The original BBC Books version had a cover by longtime Gaiman collaborator Dave McKean, taken from the bird's head rings, flaming fist and London Underground styled graphics created by McKean for the series, as well as a brief section by Gaiman on the making of the series.

14 editions

Stephanie Jane reviewed Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Superb audio version!

5 stars

Set around the London tube map, Neverwhere is the fantastic story of ordinary Londoner Richard Mayhew. Having stopped to help an injured homeless girl, he finds himself made invisible to the normal London above and sucked into the world of London below. A frightening place of Black Friars and Angels, Ratspeakers and Assassins, the Court of a Medieval Earl and a girl who can open any door with just the power of her mind. Richard must stay alive long enough for Door to find the people behind the murder of her family. Then he might just be able to come home. The story is an amazing feat of imagination with innumerable I-didn't-see-that-coming moments. I found myself missing Richard and Door, Hunter and the Marquis when I wasn't listening to their tale and actually wishing myself back onto a Stagecoach bus so they could continue their journey! Gaiman writes well for realistic female characters and I do appreciate that, in his stories, women are rarely just adornments to male storylines. Indeed, in Neverwhere, the traditional male-female dynamic is almost totally reversed through Door and Richard.

Neverwhere is the fourth Neil Gaiman book I've listened to and he is definitely one of my favourite authors. I also love that he is an excellent narrator. Hearing an author read their own work means you know you're getting exactly the emphasis and tone they meant all the time. If you're looking for a book to read or hear soon, I highly recommend Neverwhere.

book-owl reviewed Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Harry Potter, but mature

4 stars

This was my first Neil Gaiman book. I can understand why people love his books.

This read a lot like Harry Potter in terms of the fantasy right under people's nose, and the fact that this happened in London (what is it with London and trains, eh?) gave further familiar vibe.

The book has a good flow. It's well written, with skills and thoughts. Gaiman created a whole world in 350 pages, and it feels like there's much more in the brains this came out of. I like how this books is kind of happy ending, yet, still not, yet... is... if you read it, you'll get it.

I don't usually ready fantasy like this, but I'm glad I picked this up. It was a fun read, an entertaining one, and invitation to provoke the mind and imagination.

sifuCJC reviewed Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (London Below, #1)

Classic Gaiman

3 stars

Great writing of course, but I felt I'd read the situations before. Richard's situation (not the character) was very similar to the beginning of Anansi Boys. So didn't engage me as much.

Strakul reviewed Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (London Below, #1)

Review of 'Neverwhere' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Despite the slow start and the slightly derivative feel throughout the novel, I enjoyed the book. It's a bit hard to point out what is the best/worst in this book or to tell exactly why I liked it. Neil Gaiman is just a pretty good author.

A more thorough review is available here: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/04/book-review-neverwhere-by-neil-gaiman.html

Kadomi reviewed Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Review of 'Neverwhere' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Took me a while to warm up to this book, so if I could, I would give it 3.5 stars. It ended up being really fascinating, but I would have liked a deeper look at London Below and its political structure, instead of the fleeting glimpse that we received. Still, very definitely entertaining.